What is EMS?

Emergency Medical Services, known as EMS, has a highly visible but often misunderstood role in the healthcare system. EMS is out of hospital, or "prehospital" care; EMTs provide emergency medical care wherever it is needed and transport patients to hospital facilities whenever definitive or specialized care is required. EMS is a rapidly evolving field whose unique intersection of healthcare, public safety, and public health demands a comprehensive educational experience.

What is this course about?

This accredited EMT course prepares students according to National EMS Education Standards while also emphasizing the development of caregiver qualities appropriate for a global approach to community health. Students are exposed to a variety of simulated and real life medical situations requiring critical thinking and decisive response. Challenges include ambulance operations and scene management, patient assessment, cardiac arrest management, airway management, injury and shock management, medication administration, and performance of all basic life support interventions for medical and trauma patients.

Students who participate in all required course components and demonstrate proficiency in the above areas will receive a course completion certificate enabling them to take the National Registry certification exam. Certification by the NREMT is required for prehospital medical licensing in most US states.

Course Components

• 140 classroom hours, including didactic and practical

• 20 clinical hours, including hospital and ambulance ride time

• Asynchronous learning modules, including weekly writing assignments and assessments

Course Details

• May 31-August 10, online and on campus at Brown University in Providence, RI

• Meets Tuesday and Thursday nights, 6-10pm

• Meets Sundays, 1-7pm (Note: Sundays in August are mandatory all day events.)

• Tuition $1600 credit or debit; payment plan available

• Students must obtain their own textbook; a course Skills Handbook and assorted assessment tools will be provided

Application Process

• Applications are due on April 1

• Applicants will be notified of their status by April 6

• Course deposits for accepted applicants are due by April 15