Paramedic Fire Science

Two paramedics help a child with a ventilation mask and check his heart rate.

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 monthly on-campus skills days.
Start: Fall.


About the Program

2024 Paramedic Scholarship Flyer Review the PDF to learn more > 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.

  • 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. 
  • Classroom 100% online with monthly skills session. 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;
  • Articulation agreements with area four-year institutions, including Bethel University, St. Mary’s University, and Metropolitan State University.

Follow the Century College EMS program on Instagram and Facebook.

 

Special Application Required

This program requires special admission. You must apply for general admission first before submitting the Paramedic Fire Science Application.


Planning for Your Program

Advanced Placement Policy

 


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 $219.29, University of MN - TC $555.13, Private Colleges & Universities $1,416.

Paramedic Scholarship Available:

The Office of Higher Education has opened an interest form on the Paramedic Scholarship page for students, staff, and others to be notified when the application goes live. Anyone who enters their information will be emailed after the application opens after January 1, 2024.

Learn more >


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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
  • Kevin Asauskas
    Faculty
    Emergency Medical Services
  • Chad Mueller
    Faculty
    Emergency Medical Services