ISU to expand Paramedic Science program to Idaho Falls and Pocatello
In a press release Tuesday, Idaho State University leaders announced that they will be expanding the Paramedic Science program to the Idaho Falls and Pocatello campuses. The following is a statement from the university:
The Idaho State University Paramedic Science program is expanding to Eastern Idaho. The program was previously only taught in Meridian but will now also be offered at the Idaho Falls and Pocatello campuses thanks to a partnership between ISU’s Emergency Services Department, the Idaho Falls Fire Department and Ada County Paramedics. With the recent announcement that BYU-Idaho’s paramedic program is being terminated, this expansion will fill a critical gap in health care education in the area.
The classes will be delivered starting in Fall of 2016 to both Idaho Falls and Pocatello via distance learning broadcasts. Hands on laboratory classes will also be held one day each week in Idaho Falls. Students will also have a chance to gain real-world experience through internships with local emergency services. Graduates of the degree will be prepared to enter the workforce with the potential to make $40,000 or more per year.
Unlike certificate-only programs in Idaho, students in the Paramedic Science A.S. program at ISU are eligible for federal financial aid. The program is the only accredited Associate of Science Degree of its kind in the state. After completion of the program, students can continue on to a B.S. in Health Science with a concentration in Emergency Medical Services. This option also opens the door for students to apply to medical school, physician assistant studies and other graduate programs.
In order to apply for the program, students must have completed two semesters of anatomy and physiology, one semester of medical terminology and possess both an EMT certification and a healthcare provider CPR card. For more information, call the Idaho State University Emergency Services Department at (208) 373-1760 or visit isu.edu/esd.
