Emergency Medical Science Academy

Progression: To meet graduation requirements for this program, students must successfully complete the specified courses listed below with a “C” average (GPA of 2.00) or better. A grade of “C” or higher is required in each EMS course to progress in the program. All coursework must be passed.  

Minimum admission requirements (in addition to general admission requirements) must include one of the following:

• Attain a 17 composite score on the ACT; or
• Score a 251 or higher on the ACCUPLACER NG Reading Section and a 251 or higher on the ACCUPLACER NG Arithmetic Section; or
• Complete 15 semester hours of program general education coursework with a “C” average or above at an accredited college or university. Developmental coursework and EMT Basic course credits do not meet this requirement; and
• Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 (“C” average) on all previous college coursework.

All applicants must meet with the program coordinator for approval prior to enrolling in the program.

A maximum of 20 students will be admitted.

Mississippi Law requires health care professionals or Workforce Education students enrolled in programs whose primary purpose is to prepare professionals to render patient care services to submit to criminal background checks and fingerprinting prior to beginning any clinical rotation in a licensed health care entity. If such fingerprinting or criminal background checks of the student disclose a felony conviction, guilty plea or plea of no contendere to a felony of possession or sale of drugs, murder, manslaughter, armed robbery, rape, sexual battery, sex offense listed in Section 45-33-23 (g), child abuse, arson, grand larceny, burglary, gratification of lust, aggravated assault or felonious abuse and/or battery of a vulnerable adult which has not been reversed on appeal or for which a pardon has not been granted, the student shall not be eligible to be admitted to such health program of study, nor will he/she be eligible to participate in clinical training in a licensed entity. All students admitted into the program will be required to pay for fingerprinting and background checks, which will be performed after admission and prior to the clinical practicum. These fees will be attached as registration fees. For additional information, please contact the EMS advisor. 

If a student currently enrolled in Emergency Technician and Emergency Medical Science Technician-Paramedic Program is prohibited from participating in clinical experiences by any clinical affiliate of Meridian Community College (e.g., positive drug screen, gregarious behavior, violation of patient safety, non-compliance with the College’s “Student Behavior Code”, etc.), then the student will be dismissed from the program of study.  The student is not eligible for program readmission unless the clinical restriction is removed.

In addition to the disqualifying events listed in Section 37-29-232 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 annotated, clinical affiliates may, at their discretion, refuse to provide clinical experiences to any student whom the clinical affiliates feel are not suitable for employment or for the clinical experience setting.

Any drug conviction, bodily harm, neglect or abuse, or felony DUI conviction within a year of the starting date of class is cause for denial of the clinical experience setting. Any convictions more than a year beyond the starting date of class will be examined by the “Review Standards Committee” with a decision rendered if the student is allowed to participate in the clinical experience setting. Any charges pending a resolution will require documentation of disposition from the student.

Students are required to receive the Hepatitis-B vaccination (or present physician’s statement stating that this vaccination is not advisable). Students are also required to obtain a CPR Healthcare Provider (two year) certification and proof of immunization for MMR and varicella. A Mantoux Two-Step TB Skin Test and drug screening will be scheduled after enrollment. All these conditions must be met prior to the start of clinical training.

Students in the EMS-Paramedic Program must attend MCC full-time (15 or more semester credit hours).

• Workforce Solutions

To be eligible to take the National Registry’s Exam as a paramedic, the student must complete Anatomy and Physiology I and II, the EMT course, and all paramedic courses.

AAS DEGREE OPTION

Graduates of the EMS-P Certificate program can also receive the AAS degree by completing the following academic courses:

*BIO 2523/2521 -  Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (Not a program prerequisite but may be completed concurrently during program enrollment)

MCC offers a one-semester course to meet the educational needs of those seeking certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). This course provides an overview of the skills necessary to work as an EMT, which include patient assessment, transport, and treatment. Successful completion of EMS 1118 qualifies a student for additional testing and recognition by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Student must earn a grade of “C” or better and pass the final exam with a grade of 75 or better to qualify for the National Registry examination.

The Meridian Community College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs of the Emergency Medical Services ProfessionsCoAEMSP). 

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org 

To contact CoAEMSP: 
214-703-8445 
www.coaemsp.org 

“To prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.” CAAHEP Standard II.C

• MCC’s Emergency Medical Technician is a certificate program that meets the education requirements for an Emergency Medical Technician in MS and qualifies graduates for testing and recognition by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Determinations about whether the Emergency Medical Technician program at MCC meets the state education requirements for US States, Territories, and the District of Columbia can be found here.

• MCC’s EMS-Paramedic program is a program that meets the education requirements for a Paramedic Certification in MS and qualifies graduates to take the National Paramedic Certification testing and recognition by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. The EMS-Paramedic program at MCC has not made a determination on whether the certificate or degree meets the state education requirements for other US States, Territories, or the District of Columbia.