Emergency Medical Services Certificate Course Map

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Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field. It provides you a clear path to complete your certificate by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets certificate requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time. While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete the Emergency Medical Services Certificate, you are responsible for fulfilling all certificate requirements. Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!

1. College Success

COLLG 110 College Success (3 credits)
Course purpose: A foundational course to explore and affirm a career choice and build upon the skills, knowledge, and resources that will support you at Pierce College and beyond.
Note: The College Success course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following. Your advisor will assist you in selecting either the 3- or 5- credit version of the course. Should you choose to repeat a College Success course you must enroll in a College Success course with the same credit amount as the original course; a COLLG 110 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 110 course and a COLLG 115 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 115 course.

2. Human Biology: Anatomy & Physiology

BIOL& 170 Human Biology: Anatomy & Physiology (5 credits)
Course purpose: EMS professionals need a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology to understand the function of the body as a whole. Understanding the principal organ system and basic functioning of the cells and organs within their biological system allows you to understand how the EMS actions affect total treatment.

3. Public Speaking

CMST& 220 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (5 credits)
Course purpose: Emergency medical services professionals need to be effective oral communicators in the classroom while learning to be advocates for patients in the community.

Action Item: Attend Mandatory Orientation

Apply for the EMT courses EMS@pierce.ctc.edu and attend Mandatory Orientation.

4. Emergency Medical Technician I

EMT 210 Emergency Medical Technician I (5 credits)
Course purpose: This course provides the foundation for establishing an EMT career. You will learn the ethics, communication, documentation, and basic life-saving skills (CPR) used by EMS professionals.

5. Emergency Medical Technician II

EMT 211 Emergency Medical Technician II (5 credits)
Course purpose: You will begin practical application of skills and knowledge received in EMT 210. You will learn medical terminology and assessments, and begin to develop and apply critical thinking.

6. Emergency Medical Technician III

EMT 212 Emergency Medical Technician III (5 credits)
Course purpose: You will use scenarios to increase skills of medical and traumatic situations. This course helps you to prepare for National EMT Certification.

Action Item: GPA Check

Conduct a GPA check at the completion of 20 credits.

7. Math Course Recommendation

Choose one

MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats (5 credits)
Course purpose: Emergency medical services professionals wanting to continue on to Associates or Paramedic programs benefit from this course.
MATH& 107 Math in Society (5 credits)
Course purpose: This course offers a contemporary view of mathematics on topics including management science, statistics and social choices, patterns and financial applications in order to understand the economics of community medicine.
Note: The math course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following, the transfer institution/degree that you select, and your math placement guidance. Your advisor will assist you in selecting the relevant 5 or 7 credit course(s) based upon co-requisite options.

8. English Composition I

ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
Course purpose: As an EMS professional you will need to communicate effectively in writing with hospitals, patients, peers and for state reporting. ENGL& 101 will provide the foundational development of critical reading and writing skills.
Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101 course.

9. Human Relations Course Recommendation

Choose one

MNGT 130 Customer Relationship Management (5 credits)
BUS 240 Human Relations in the Workplace (5 credits)
Course purpose: EMS professionals need be proficient in effective assessment of patients’ needs and in communicating the needs of a diverse environment. EMS professionals must develop and maintain a relationship with the community. These courses provide appropriate skills to support this work.
CMST 105 Intercultural Communication (5 credits)

Action Item: Apply for Certificate

Apply for Emergency Medical Services Certificate graduation (explore career education plans and develop new education plan).

10. General Psychology

PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits)
Course purpose: EMS professionals need to understand the human behavior and experience concepts that are presented in this course. You will learn to understand biological and social basics of behavior, heredity, neurology, motivation, emotion, perception, cognition, learning, and intelligence are as important as understanding the body.

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