Emergency Medical Science - Bridging Program UPDATED
Curriculum Description
The Emergency Medical Science curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge, skills and attributes to provide advanced emergency medical care as a paramedic for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system and prepares graduates to enter the workforce.
Students will gain complex knowledge, competency, and experience while employing evidence based practice under medical oversight, and serve as a link from the scene into the healthcare system.
Graduates of this program may be eligible to take state and/or national certification examinations. Employment opportunities include providers of emergency medical services, fire departments, rescue agencies, hospital specialty areas, industry, educational and government agencies.
The following represents one way in which the program of study can be completed. Students who aren’t able to follow this plan should consult their academic advisor to be sure that they take courses in the best order for their success.
Associate in Applied Science
A45340B
NC CIP: 51.0904
Day, Online
POS Approved: Fall 2025
Fall Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| BIO 163 | Basic Anat & Physiology | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Select one: | |||||
| Math Measurement & Literacy | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| Quantitative Literacy | (2) | (2) | (0) | (3) | |
| Select one: | |||||
| Interpersonal Psychology | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| General Psychology (Global) | (3) | (0) | (0) | (3) | |
| Total: | 12 | 4 | 0 | 14 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMS 280 | EMS Bridging Course | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Select one: | |||||
| Intro Interpersonal Com (Global) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| Public Speaking (Global) | (3) | (0) | (0) | (3) | |
| OR | |||||
| Oral Communication | (3) | (0) | (0) | (3) | |
| Select one: | |||||
| Critical Thinking | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| Introduction to Ethics (Global) | (3) | (0) | (0) | (3) | |
| Total: | 8 | 2 | 0 | 9 | |
Total Credit Hours: 23
Additional Information
Students interested in this program must contact Andy Pate (apate@forsythtech.edu) for more information.
Prerequisites for admission to the Emergency Medical Science – Bridging Program include the following:
- Current and valid NC or NR Paramedic certification in good standing
- Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare professionals
- At least one year of experience working as a paramedic
Current students or recent graduates of Forsyth Tech's Paramedic Academy may enroll in the EMS Bridging Program and complete general education requirements without the one year of paramedic work experience. They will not be allowed to enroll in EMS 280 until after they have attained their state or national Paramedic credential.
Students will receive 45 credits for prior learning from their paramedic certification for the following courses:
- EMS 110 (9 credits)
- EMS 122 (1 credit)
- EMS 130 (4 credits)
- EMS 131 (2 credits)
- EMS 160 (3 credits)
- EMS 220 (3 credits)
- EMS 221 (2 credits)
- EMS 231 (3 credits)
- EMS 240 (2 credits)
- EMS 241 (4 credits)
- EMS 250 (4 credits)
- EMS 260 (2 credits)
- EMS 270 (4 credits)
- EMS 285 (2 credits)
Students may use EMS-2163 (Basic Anat & Physiology) to satisfy the BIO 163 requirement in this program.
Students interested in transferring to a 4-year program after completing this program should take BIO 168, BIO 169, and MAT 143; BIO 163 and MAT 110 may not meet 4-year program requirements.
This information was updated on 7/7/26 and on 7/16/26.
A45340B