Earn your bachelor's degree in public safety management from SIU, right here at Harper College. Find out how
With the report of a crisis, EMTs and paramedics use their critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills to take charge of the scene of an emergency. By providing critical life support care to individuals in need in any condition—indoors or outdoors, weekdays, weekends and holidays—before they reach the hospital, emergency medical service workers are vital pieces of society.
Harper College’s degree and certificate programs were designed to comply with the requirements set forth by the National EMS Education Standards (NHTSA, 2009), the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoA), and the Illinois EMS Act and Administrative Rules. They also support and facilitate the growth of the medical skills—such as anatomy and physiology, medications and clinical assessment techniques—and emotional competency needed for a career in this field.
The EMT certificate is an open enrollment program, and the Paramedic certificate is a limited-enrollment program. The AAS degree program offers continued training for students who have earned the Paramedic and EMT certificates.
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree is designed to prepare you for immediate entry into this career field. Coursework in the AAS may also prepare you for to transfer to a four-year college or university.
Jumpstart your career by learning new skills through a certificate program. Many of Harper's certificates are stackable to a degree program through additional coursework.
Learn more about career outcomes for Harper's Emergency Medical Services degree/certificate programs. Each career profile offers a complete picture on the local job market, including salaries, open positions, top local employers and more. To learn more, visit our Emergency Medical Services Careers page.
For more information about starting your college education at Harper, please contact Admissions Outreach at 847.925.6700 or fill out our request information form.