Paramedic

Division: Nursing & Allied Health

The Paramedic program is designed to prepare the student for licensure as a Paramedic. It is an intense, full-time program consisting of lectures, skills lab, clinical practice, and field internship. Students must possess a current AHA BLS CPR - Health Care Provider Card and are also required to have a current EMT license or NREMT Certification. Six-months of recent field experience is highly recommended.

For more information visit the Paramedic Program website.

Contact Information 

Director of Paramedic Program 

Nick Branch | (559) 583-2650 | paramedic@cos.edu

Dean of CTE, Nursing, and Allied Health

Jonna Schengel, Ed.D, MA, PT | (559) 688-3027 | jonnas@cos.edu
Tulare Center Building A | Tulare Campus

Associate of Science

For a complete list of courses and descriptions visit: COURSES

PM 201 Paramedic Theory 16 unit(s)
Hours: 14 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
7 Lab
Contains the didactic material necessary to establish a foundation to practice as a paramedic. Includes applied anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, intravenous therapy, basic and advanced life support, patient assessment, management of trauma, medical conditions, emergency medical system operations, and special considerations when caring for patients throughout the life span and those with special challenges.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: NURS 256 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C; BIOL 030 and BIOL 031 are recommended.
Prerequisites: PM 230 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
Corequisites: PM 402 must be taken concurrently.
Limitation on Enrollment: Acceptance into the Paramedic program.
PM 202 Paramedic Clinical Experience 4 unit(s)
Hours: 12 Lab
Skills assessment and hospital clinical requirements for students enrolled in the paramedic program.
Prerequisites: PM 201 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
Corequisites: PM 402 must be taken concurrently.
Limitation on Enrollment: Acceptance into the Paramedic program.
PM 203 Paramedic Field Internship 10 unit(s)
Hours: 30 Lab
Under the direct supervision and evaluation of a licensed paramedic, students will complete a field internship experience on a designated advanced life support unit. This provides students with prehospital patient care experience and is the last course in the series preparing the student for licensure as a paramedic.
Prerequisites: PM 201 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
Corequisites: PM 402 Paramedic Open Skills Lab Must be taken concurrently.
Limitation on Enrollment: Acceptance into the Paramedic Program.
PM 230 Paramedic Preparation 7 unit(s)
Hours: 7 Lecture/Discussion
Designed for currently certified EMTs entering the paramedic education program. Focuses on select prehospital foundational topics including biochemistry, cellular physiology, acid-base balance, respiratory physiology and disorders of ventilation and oxygenation, cardiovascular physiology and hemodynamic imbalances, neurophysiology, macronutrient metabolism and diabetes mellitus, and pharmacological principles and procedures intended to address alterations in the physiology of core body systems.
Prerequisites: EMT 251 or Current EMT certification through NREMT or Local EMS Authority.
Limitation on Enrollment: Limited to students accepted to the paramedic program.
PM 402 Paramedic Open Skills Lab 0 unit(s)
Hours: 1 - 12 Lab
This course provides the Paramedic program student an opportunity for additional directed learning and supervised laboratory time to practice, develop and refine skills necessary to the safe practice of the Paramedic.
Corequisites: PM 201, PM 202, or PM 203 must be taken concurrently.
Limitation on Enrollment: Limited to students enrolled in the Paramedic Program.