Emergency Management & Homeland Security and Paramedic Science

Dual Degree Option
Emergency Professionals

About this program

You’re a natural leader. Calm under pressure. And the first to rise to action during times of need. If a career in emergency response is your future, you’ve come to the right place. At Penn College, you can earn a dual degree in Emergency Management & Homeland Security (B.S.) and Paramedic Science (A.A.S.) in as few as four years. Learn alongside knowledgeable and passionate faculty. Put theories to the test in technology-driven labs. And get vital hands-on experience through extensive field work and clinical rotations. Whether you imagine yourself serving as a paramedic or taking the lead in emergency management, this one-of-a-kind program will set you on a path to success.

Acceptance in the paramedic science major is based upon additional requirements beyond College admission and has special EMT certification requirements.

Cohort size may vary based on clinical site availability and alignment with accreditation requirements. Students who are not selected into their desired program may be eligible for selection into another NHS program depending on seat availability. For additional information, please contact the appropriate program director.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

On November 4, 2021, an emergency regulation was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requiring the COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers. Individuals considering applying to this program should be aware that the COVID-19 vaccination will be required to participate in clinical experiences for Spring 2022 and beyond. For the most up-to-date information about our clinical partners’ vaccination requirements, please contact the program office.

400

Paramedic Lab Hours

1

Only Dual Degree Program Of It's Kind In The Country

300

Emergency Management Field Experience Hours

Featured Video

Virtual Tour

Adjunct faculty Chris Boyer shows off three fully equipped lab spaces designed to give paramedic students the ultimate hands-on experience.

Advanced Learning Labs
Facilities

Advanced Learning Labs

Put your lessons to the test in our simulation labs outfitted with specialized training tools including apartment, ambulance, and vehicle rescue simulators, high-fidelity simulation equipment, and a variety of advanced life support devices.

Emergency Operations Center
Facilities

Emergency Operations Center

Practice your planning tactics and response strategy in our on-campus training center.

Maker Profiles
Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Apr 14

Open House

Friday, April 14 8:30 AM - 2 :30 PM

Apr 29

Open House

Saturday, April 29 8:30 AM - 2 :30 PM

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

Industry Partners

Work with experts to become an expert

Penn College's strong partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.

FEMA
UPMC Susquehanna
PEMA
PA Department of Health
Evangelical Community Hospital Logo
Lycoming County Government
Dual Degree
Ready to apply? Here's what to do.

Ready to apply? Here's what to do.

On the application, select Emergency Management & Homeland Security as your intended major. Check "Yes" when asked if you wish to declare a dual degree, then select Paramedic Science as a second intended major.

Contact the admissions office at admissions@pct.edu or 800.367.9222 with questions.

Apply

Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

Emergency Management Club

Emergency Management Club

Our Emergency Management Club promotes, fosters, and advocates for the professional development within the field of emergency management through trainings, conferences, and professional development opportunities within the emergency management community.

Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

News
03.13.2023

Yesterday’s disaster informs tomorrow’s response

Emergency management & homeland security students didn’t have to travel far to gain historical context on one of the ...

11.15.2022

Students eye function of – and potential futures at – PEMA

Nineteen students enrolled in emergency management & homeland security at Pennsylvania College of Technology recently toured ...

10.10.2022

Do you want to see the world?

Students learned about Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Spring 2023 Global Experience itinerary during a recent drop ...

Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

Learn More

Field Experience

Your knowledge in practice

Through supervised field experiences and internships you'll apply what you learned in the classroom in the real world.

Student Experience

The community as their classroom

Mock crisis authentically adds to interdisciplinary preparedness

Mock crisis authentically adds to interdisciplinary preparedness

Penn College students joined area law enforcement, emergency management and healthcare professionals in a recent simulation at UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center and a variety of other locations.

Read more

Paramedic students join Penn State EMS at home football games

Paramedic students join Penn State EMS at home football games

Students in Pennsylvania College of Technology’s paramedic program have joined Penn State Emergency Medical Services to provide coverage at the university’s seven 2018 home football games in Beaver Stadium.

Read more

Accreditation

The Paramedic Program at Pennsylvania College of Technology 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 for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775; 727-210-2350; www.caahep.org. To contact CoAEMSP: 8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312 Rowlett, TX 75088; 214-703-8445 or FAX 214-703-8992; www.coaemsp.org. 

In compliance with CAAHEP Standards V.A.4, the Pennsylvania College of Technology paramedic program posts the following outcome data detailing pass rates on the cognitive and psychomotor National Registry exams, positive placement rates, and in-program attrition/retention. All information is verifiable and consistent with the programs CAAHEP/CoAEMSP annual report. View Accreditation & Outcomes Information.

More Information

The Paramedic Program at the Pennsylvania College of Technology 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 for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 25400 US Highway 19 N, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763; 727-210-2350; www.caahep.org. To contact CoAEMSP: 8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312 Rowlett, TX 75088; 214-703-8445 or FAX 214-703-8992; www.coaemsp.org. The major is also accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

Penn College publishes a 3 and 5 year window average results of the outcomes for: National Registry Written and Practical Exams, Attrition & Retention, and Positive Placement consistent and verifiable by its CAAHEP/CoAEMSP Annual Report. View Accreditation & Outcomes Information.

Anyone desiring entrance into this major must first gain admission to Penn College. Acceptance into this selective admission major is based upon additional requirements beyond College admission. Details are available on the Selective Admission Criteria and Process webpage.

In addition to tuition, fees, textbooks, and other standard student costs, paramedic students will be responsible for additional costs to include (but not limited to): travel to clinical/field rotations, a complete medical examination and required vaccinations, student malpractice insurance, health insurance, hospital and field uniforms, criminal record clearance, drug testing, and certification exams.

Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each aspect of their paramedic courses. Failure to do so will result in termination from the major. The following grading system is applied to all PMP courses in this major. There is no rounding of grades:

A = 90-100
B = 80-89.99
C = 75-79.99
F = 74.99 and below

Child abuse clearance and criminal background checks are required by some agencies involved in fieldwork and/or capstones. Agencies can bar students from their sites if a criminal record exists or a positive drug test is noted. By virtue of contract for Penn College students to be at clinical sites, agencies have the right to ask for random drug testing. Inability to gain clinical or fieldwork or intern education experiences results in inability to meet program objectives or outcomes. The Pennsylvania Department of Health advises that a drug abuse or criminal record can result in ineligibility to take the Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic certification exam, thereby limiting employment opportunities as a paramedic. For additional clarification, students can speak with the Program Director or the Dean of Health Sciences.

View general transfer information

Penn College does not offer advanced placement for this program. This includes individuals who hold other healthcare degrees or who have completed paramedic courses at another institution.

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, and work/life experience.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health requires all paramedic students to hold Pennsylvania EMT certification prior to beginning clinical rotations as a paramedic student. Pre-program students who are not certified may obtain EMT certification through the non-credit EMT program offered through Workforce Development at Penn College.

A field uniform is required for ambulance rotations and a clinical uniform is required for hospital rotations. Adherence to a dress code is required for safety reasons in addition to compliance with field and clinical affiliate sites requirements. Manufacturers and vendor information can be obtained from the program office upon admission into the major. See the complete list.

Some items are available for purchase through The College Store.

Program Review Executive Summary: Paramedic Science

Program Review Executive Summary: Emergency Management Technology

Students must meet Essential Functions for the Paramedic established by the Paramedic Program, as well as health and safety requirements including, but not limited to, immunizations (MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, annual influenza vaccination, PPD), medical examination, 10 panel drug screen, CPR certification, and background clearances as established by clinical affiliation agreements.

Paramedic Program Goal
The Pennsylvania College of Technology paramedic program’s goal 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 program at Pennsylvania College of Technology meets the educational requirements for certification within the state of Pennsylvania. We are aware that our program also meets the educational requirements for certification in the following states/U.S. territories: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina (Associate Degree only), North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington state, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. We have not determined if graduates of our program will be eligible for certification in Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands; therefore, students intending to seek employment in these states/territories are asked to contact the program office so that we can help you determine whether our program meets the requirements of the state/territory where you intend to work.