Prehospital Emergency Care, AAS

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Program Overview

Society’s need for quality prehospital emergency care has created immense demand for emergency medical professionals throughout the United States. McHenry County College is proud to offer coursework that helps to fulfill that demand and contributes to the safety and well-being of our communities. From entry-level to advanced providers, the EMS Department at MCC provides credentialing options for students interested in exploring the career field to those ready for a full-time career in emergency medical services (EMS). While working as an EMS provider requires significant physical strength, dexterity, and the ability to function effectively in adverse environments, the personal reward that accompanies saving a life is priceless.

Emergency Medical Responder (EMS-105) establishes a foundation for EMS care, focused on emergency identification, patient assessment, and basic emergency care. Not only does this course provide a glimpse of what prehospital emergency care providers do, it is also a useful course for law enforcement officers and emergency response team members utilized in many industrial, commercial, and manufacturing employers throughout the United States. Completion of this course enables students to apply for certification as an Emergency Medical Responder through the State of Illinois.

For students interested in pursuing part-time or full-time employment in an EMS profession, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course and Paramedic program prepare students for professional licensing. Both the EMT course and Paramedic program meet requirements for graduates to challenge the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam. The Paramedic program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

MCC offers occupational certificates for EMT and Paramedic, and both certificates stack into the AAS in Prehospital Emergency Care. Students that complete the EMT course are eligible to apply for the EMT certificate. Similarly, students that complete the 5-course paramedic program are also eligible to apply for the Paramedic certificate. Students with credit for EMT and Paramedic on their transcripts can continue on to complete the AAS in Prehospital Emergency Care.

Participation in the Paramedic program requires students to apply for consideration. The application process is announced early each calendar year and includes a written exam, skills evaluation, and oral interview. For a complete list of application criteria, please contact the division administrative assistant at (815) 479-7511.

For more information, visit: www.mchenry.edu/ems

The primary purpose of an Associate in Applied Science degree is to prepare students for employment. The AAS degree is not designed specifically for transfer; however, there are opportunities to apply some coursework or the whole degree to a bachelor’s degree program. For more information, see an academic advisor and the department chair.

Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic, AAS Sample Semester Pathway

Prehospital Emergency Care, AAS Degree Requirements

Curriculum: OCC 500

General Education

Arts, Humanities, Social Science, Behavioral Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Science: 3 Credit Hours

Select one Arts, Humanities, Social Science, Behavioral Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Science Course

Total General Education: 15 Credit Hours

Program Core: 38 Credit Hours

EMS 220 - Paramedic Module I 8 Credits
EMS 221 - Paramedic Module II 8 Credits
EMS 222 - Paramedic Module III 8 Credits
EMS 223 - Paramedic Module IV 8 Credits
EMS 224 - Paramedic Module V: Internship 6 Credits

Program Electives: 7 Credit Hours

BIO 110 - Introduction to Human Biology 4 Credits
BIO 157 - Fundamentals of Biology 4 Credits
CJS 131 - Emergency Dispatcher 3 Credits
EMS 110 - Emergency Medical Technician 10 Credits
FRS 100 - Introduction to Emergency Services 2 Credits
HCE 110 - Medication Math 1 Credits
MAT 150 - Elements of Mathematics 3 Credits
PHI 161 - Introduction to Ethics 3 Credits
PHI 255 - Living with Death 3 Credits
PSY 250 - Human Development Over the Life Span 3 Credits
PSY 251 - Child Psychology 3 Credits
SPE 251 - Intercultural Communication 3 Credits

Total Minimum Degree Credits: 60

Other Requirements:

NOTE: Enrollment in EMS 110 , EMS 120 , EMS 121 , EMS 122 and EMS 123 is limited to students who meet the following qualifications:

For EMS 110 : Criteria 1, 2, and 3.
For EMS 120 EMS 121 , EMS 122 and EMS 123 : Criteria 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Enrollment Criteria

Evidence of high school diploma/GED and 18 years of age to be eligible for state of Illinois licensure exam
Evidence of recent physical exam (within last six months) and proof of immunization for measles (rubeola), tetanus, TB, hepatitis B, chicken pox (varicella), influenza, and COVID-19.
Evidence of current health care provider CPR certification
Illinois licensed EMT-B: six months pre-hospital patient experience required
Completion of entrance pretest with a score of 75% or greater, EMT-B Skill Validation and interview

Other AAS Graduation Requirements:

2.0 minimum cumulative GPA at MCC upon completion of program
15 semester hours of program-specific coursework taken at MCC
Completion of graduation application
Completion of end-of-program assessment as directed by this department