Courses | Emergency Medical Services Degree

Curriculum Details

180 total credits required

Our four-year online EMSA degree program provides advanced knowledge in management and health services. We require a core of courses including EMS risk management, communications, regulations, quality, transport and multiculturalism. Earn a Bachelor of Arts with a foreign language requirement or opt for 12 additional science credits to earn a Bachelor of Science.

The EMSA bachelor’s degree focuses on providing education about the business and managerial sides of emergency services, and courses cover everything from communication to legal aspects and the fundamentals of business. This bachelor’s program is accredited by the National Fire Academy’s Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) Model Curriculum, and graduates will be prepared to help their community in a multitude of ways.

Transfer Information

EOU offers a generous transfer policy for course credits to make it even more affordable and accessible to learn. The online EMSA program accepts up to 135 credits for transfer to EOU. All EOU majors require a minimum of 20 EOU credits.

Required Courses

Credits

BA 225 Business Communications (or professional/technical writing) Credit Hours: 4

Analysis of methods of investigating, collecting, organizing, and presenting data for formal and informal business reports. Prerequisite: WR 121 or equivalent.

EMSA 305 Foundations of EMS Systems Credit Hours: 3

An overview of the design and operation of EMS systems, delivery of services, and the echelons of care. The history of EMS, the interface of public and private organizations, and review of the various personnel who comprise these systems will be examined in relation to their impact on the health care delivery system. FESHE course code: (C0297)

EMSA 307 Emergency Medical Services Risk Management and Safety Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces the student to the risk management principles of an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency. Emphasis is on safety from the perspective of the field provider. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course. FESHE course code: (C0241)

EMSA 309 Emergency Medical Services Communications Management Credit Hours: 3

This is an upper-level baccalaureate course for students interested in the management of an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) communications system. This course introduces the EMS professional to the communications systems and methodologies available to governmental and private EMS providers. Students explore issues in EMS communications technology, software, data management, and physical plant considerations. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course. FESHE course code: (C0242)

EMSA 311 Management of Emergency Medical Services Credit Hours: 3

This is an upper-level baccalaureate course for students interested in the practice and principles of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems management and the processes that contribute to the effectiveness of day-to-day operations within an EMS organization. This course introduces the EMS professional to topics that include government structure, strategic planning, injury prevention, risk management and safety, customer service, human resources management, financial management, fleet management, career development, quality management, data collection and research, labor relations, and special operations. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course. FESHE course code: (C0244)

EMSA 313 Legal, Political and Regulatory Environment of Emergency Medical Services Credit Hours: 3

This is an upper-level baccalaureate course for students interested in the field of legal, political and regulatory environment of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). This course introduces the EMS professional to the legal aspects of EMS. Students explore issues in malpractice, consent and refusal of treatment, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employment issues, and risk management. EMS students gain insights into the legal liabilities in EMS. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course. FESHE course code: (C0246)

EMSA 315 Emergency Medical Services Education Credit Hours: 3

This is an upper-level baccalaureate course for students interested in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education. This course introduces the EMS professional to the education system as it relates to EMS education. Students explore issues in curriculum development, teaching, program direction, and development. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course. FESHE course code: (C0240)

EMSA 317 EMS Quality Management Credit Hours: 3

This course will provide the critical components, background and principles associated with the implementation, or enhancement, of a department’s Quality Management Program. The course teaches students how to create, implement and maintain a Quality Management Program including historical examples, current models, and best practices of quality assurance and improvement, process improvement, data collection, and analysis. FESHE course code: (C0247)

EMSA 405 Finance of Emergency Medical Services Systems Credit Hours: 3

This is an upper-level baccalaureate course for students interested in the practice and principles of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems finance and budget and the processes that contribute to assets and liabilities of an EMS system. This course introduces the EMS professional to topics that include but are not limited to budgeting, auditing, billing, risk-financing and internal auditing. Prerequisites: EMSA 311 Management of Emergency Medical Services. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course. FESHE course code: (C0243)

EMSA 407 Emergency Medical Services Public Information and Community Relations Credit Hours: 3

This is an upper-level baccalaureate course for students interested in public information and community relations in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). This course introduces the EMS professional to benefits of community information and community relations. Students explore issues in marketing, crafting the message, identifying the audience, developing programs, and creating press releases. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course. FESHE course code: (C0245)

EMSA 411 Analytical Approaches to Emergency Medical Services Credit Hours: 3

This is an upper-level baccalaureate course for students interested in the practice and principles of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems management and the processes that contribute to the effectiveness of day-to-day operations within an EMS organization. This course introduces the EMS professional to topics that include introduction and purpose of analysis; analysis in parallel professions; problem identification; foundational analysis; data collection; financial analysis; cost-benefit analysis; policy and impact analysis; and project development. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course. FESHE course code: (C0247)

EMSA 413 Management of Transport Services Credit Hours: 3

This course provides an overview of the application of management principles to the provision of transport services. It includes an analysis of the economic, geographic, temporal, and clinical characteristics of ambulance demand, the key processes for providing transport services, and an evaluation of industry best practices. FESHE course code: (C0251)

EMSA 415 Community Risk Reduction in Emergency Medical Services (Capstone) Credit Hours: 3

This is an upper-level baccalaureate course for students interested in public health and community relations in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). This course introduces the EMS professional to benefits of community risk analysis, program development, and ongoing program analysis. Students explore issues in identifying and communicating risk, crafting appropriate risk-reduction programs, building appropriate response guides, developing recovery procedures, and creating press releases. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course. FESHE course code: (C0298)

FSA 336 Managerial Issues in Hazardous Materials Credit Hours: 3

This course presents current issues in management of a department-wide hazardous materials program. It includes issues that are pertinent to officers and managers in public safety departments, including regulations and requirements for hazardous materials preparedness, response, storage, transportation, handling and use, and the emergency response to terrorism threat/incident. Subjects covered include state, local, and federal emergency response planning, personnel and training, and operational considerations such as determining strategic goals and tactical objectives. Student must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course. FESHE course code: (C0274)

FSA 345 Multiculturalism in Emergency Services Credit Hours: 4

This course examines how multiculturalism affects every aspect of our society and its impact on the emergency services workforce. This course provides an extensive familiarization with communication styles, customs, language and behavioral patterns of various cultures, ethnic groups and other dimensions of diversity. The course addresses cultural competency relevant to emergency services operations and administration. Students taking this class will analyze effective workforce multicultural and diversity strategies in decision making and daily activities as it relates to groups employed by and encountered by emergency services professions. Student must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course.

FSA 423 Labor Management Relations Credit Hours: 3

A labor relations course that will introduce the student to the complex world of collective bargaining. It will review the history of the labor movement in the United States and give diligent consideration to the National Labor Relations Act. Additionally, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Railway Labor Act and Public Sector Labor cases will be studied. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

BA 462 Leaders & Leadership Process Credit Hours: 4

This course is an in-depth examination of leadership from a practical and a theoretical perspective. Study of a combination of classical theories and current writings will enable the student to develop deep insights into what leadership really is. Students will apply their study to current and historic leaders. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course. Prerequisite: BA 321 or EMSA 311.

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