Why a Paramedicine Degree at Cochise College?
Paramedicine is a specialty whose practitioners respond to emergencies before a patient reaches a hospital, rendering basic and advanced medical treatment before and during transport to a medical facility. The EMT-paramedic provides the highest level of pre-hospital medical care for sick and injured persons.
Cochise College provides both a certificate and an associate of applied science degree in paramedicine. Certified by the Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (ADHS-BEMS), the program prepares you to practice as a nationally registered paramedic providing pre-hospital emergency medicine for fire departments, ambulance services and hospital emergency units. Students pursuing the associate of applied science degree in paramedicine must complete the 58-credit curriculum for the paramedicine certificate, as well as 19 credits of additional general education and elective courses.
Certification as an EMT or completion of EMT 174 is required. The degree is awarded only to those who have successfully completed the required Cochise College coursework and who have been certified as paramedics through the Arizona Department of Health Services. You also must complete the state-mandated hours of clinical experience, and field internship under the supervision of a qualified preceptor.
The Paramedicine Associate of Applied Science degree prepares the student to become a Nationally Registered Paramedic. Paramedics render basic and advanced medical treatment before and during patient transport to a medical facility and they assess and treat a wide variety of medical emergencies. Paramedics work for fire departments, law enforcement agencies, private ambulance services, industrial companies, clinics, and hospitals.
Admission into the program requires a separate application. Prior to enrollment in the paramedicine program, all students must pass a computer-based entrance examination.
Department Contacts
(520) 515-5309 | DTC-NA101
reillym@cochise.edu
Administrative Assistant
Margaret Reilly
520-515-8744
reillym@cochise.edu DTC NA101
Active Duty Military Inquires
520-533-2391
fthuachuca@cochise.edu
Apply Now
Prerequisites
- Have or obtain an AZDPS fingerprint clearance Card
- Have or obtain an AHA BLS CPR card
- Have a current NREMT certification
- Take a drug screen (during enrollment)
- Provide up to date immunizations
- Obtain proper uniform
Program Layout
Program Curriculum
- over 500 hours of classroom time
- 500 hours of clinical time (required by ADHS-BEMS)
Degree-seeking students can expect to spend additional semesters completing 19 additional general education and elective courses associated with the paramedicine degree.
Please see the Tuitions & Fees page for more information about all related costs. Using the Academic Program Cost section can help you find costs related to certain programs.
Industry Information
This program prepares you to become employed as a paramedic and to provide emergency healthcare services through emergency services providers. Paramedics earn an average of $14 to $25 an hour for an average salary of $30,000 to $50,000 a year.