Paramedic Fire Science

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This program requires a general College application and a program-specific application. See below for application steps and important dates.

Delivery: Online program core with three monthly on-campus skills days.
Start: Fall.

About the Program

The goal of the Paramedic Fire Science program is to prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.

The paramedic and fire services fields have a long history of serving the public with tremendous honor and courage. Individuals who dedicate themselves to the paramedic and fire service professions not only gain the satisfaction of helping others in their greatest moment of need but become part of public safety communities where they feel acceptance and belonging.

The Paramedic Fire Science Associate in Applied Science degree at Century College is unique - integrating the roles of emergency medical services and firefighting into emergency response practice. This degree is Minnesota’s first combined degree program. It is an innovative, flexible degree option to prepare students to work in a high-demand career in a dual role (paramedic & firefighter) response agency.

Interested in the program? Read the Paramedic Fire Admission Application & Program Requirements.

  • Flexibility – a significant portion of the classroom education is delivered through online learning, the degree can be completed in 1 year, and the program is structured to be conducive to working adults living in Minneapolis/St. Paul area and beyond;
  • Experience – gain practical field experience in both advanced life support ambulance and fire apparatus;
  • Instruction – learn from dedicated faculty who have years of real-world, life-saving experience and are current practitioners.

Program Highlights

  • Faculty and other program staff are well-credentialed and experienced experts in the field of EMS and fire Services. All are currently working in the field. Review full-time faculty bios.
  • Classroom 100% online with a 3-day consecutive skill session monthly. Clinicals on-site;
  • State-of-the-art skills lab including 2 full-scale ambulance simulators, a full-scale motor vehicle, a wide range of manikins including Sim-Man™, Sim-Baby™, Mega-code Kid™, and industry-current equipment;
  • Medical direction was provided by Charles Lick, MD, Kacia Engel, MD, and Joey Duren, MD;
  • Interdisciplinary opportunities with Century’s Public Safety, Criminal Justice, and Law Enforcement career programs;
  • Articulation agreements with area four-year institutions, including Bethel University, St. Mary’s University, and Metropolitan State University.

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Special Application Required

This program requires special admission. You must apply for general admission first before submitting the special application.

Planning for Your Program

Advanced Placement Policy

Paramedic Fire Application & Program Requirements

Cost & Financial Aid

As a two-year public community and technical college, Century College receives funding from the State of Minnesota, keeping tuition rates significantly lower than private colleges and universities. With affordable tuition rates and financial aid and scholarship opportunities, our students avoid student loan debt.

Financial Aid

Century College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and our programs qualify for financial aid including grants, loans, and college work-study. Eligibility for financial aid is determined annually based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Century College’s Federal School Code is 010546.

Scholarship Opportunities

Each year, the Century College Foundation awards more than $300,000 in scholarships to Century College students involved in several areas of study. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.

Tuition Cost per Credit Comparison: Century College $212.29, UMN-TC $555.13, Private Colleges

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Accreditation

Since 1987 the Century College Paramedic program has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th Street North
Suite 7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 727-210-2350

Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
FAX 214-703-8992

Transfer

Firefighting students wearing uniforms outdoors spraying a car that is on fire with a hose.

    Program Faculty

  • Experience: Kim has been a full-time instructor since 1997, with extensive experience in clinical education, remediation, and assessment. In addition, she has been in EMS since 1987, with volunteer and work experiences in both rural and metro ambulance services, a police department, and a fire department. Kim continues to work as a paramedic for Healtheast Medical Transportation.
    Education: MA, Organizational Leadership, Bethel University
    Hobbies: photography, travel
    Kim Schmitzer
    Faculty/Paramedic Program Director/Clinical Coordinator
    Bio
    Emergency Medical Services
    E 2297
    651-779-5798
  • Experience: Dr. Caulkins has been teaching at Century for over 26 years and has been a practicing paramedic for that same length of time. With experience in firefighting, leadership, public health, education, research, and public safety, Dr. Caulkins is well-equipped to educate students on a wide variety of topics. Dr. Caulkins meets the MinnState qualification standards to teach in emergency medical services, health, health sciences, education, public safety, and anthropology.
    Teaching Approach: My personal philosophy of education is fairly eclectic and crosses several teaching philosophies. I believe that it is helpful, if not essential, that the teacher is a master/expert. I believe the teacher’s role is to cultivate knowledge and wisdom. The teacher is also a guide to lead the student through the educational process. Sometimes leading requires the teacher to be flexible in becoming a facilitator by establishing guidelines and boundaries. Sometimes the role is of a mediator. A teacher is also a learner and learning is reciprocal between the student and teacher. Learners are there to listen, observe, and receive knowledge but are also active participants.
    Education: Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration, St. Cloud State; Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Metropolitan State University; Master of Public Health, American Military University; Graduate Certificate in Career and Technical Education, University of Minnesota; Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies with a Focus on the Anthropology of Disaster, Metropolitan State University; Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services, American College of Prehospital Medicine; Associate of Arts, Inver Hills Community College; Associate of Applied Science in Paramedic Technology, Century College; Diploma, Paramedic Technician, Northeast Metro Technical College; Certificate, Community Paramedic Clinician, Hennepin Technical College
    Notable: Co-developed an emergency response plan that was used at the 35W bridge collapse and later adopted statewide.Traveled across the U.S. as an accreditation site visitor to review paramedic education programs.Participated in writing questions for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians credentialling test bank.Developed three two-year degree programs and dozens of courses.Internationally recognized suicidologist and researcher.Numerous publications including research papers, articles, books, and book chapters.Owner of a private consulting business, Caulkins Consulting, LLC.One of only six people nationwide accepted into the Emergency Medical Services for Children Scholars Program, which is led by the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.
    Hobbies: Travel, Reading, Learning
    Chris Caulkins
    Faculty
    Bio
    Emergency Medical Services
    E 1242B
    651-779-5743
  • Chad Mueller
    Faculty
    Emergency Medical Services
    E 1246
    651-748-2612

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