Transfer Guide

Major-Specific Course Recommendations:

Students are encouraged to build the Community College course recommendations below into the associate degree to best prepare for the intended major.

Remaining Associate Degree Requirements:

In addition to major-specific course recommendations above, students should work with a community college advisor to select additional community college courses to fulfill the remaining associate degree requirements identified below.

Additional Information From Western Carolina University:

Declaration of a major in Emergency Medical Care (EMC) does not guarantee admission into the EMC Program. Students must formally apply and be admitted into the EMC Program before beginning the professional sequence of courses and/or proceeding into clinical placements. Admission to the EMC Program is competitive. In addition to the academic requirements below, students are expected to adhere to the technical and professional standards of the EMC Program. For the most up-to-date information regarding these standards, program suspension, and termination refer to the EMC Program website linked from the School of Health Sciences.

When do students apply? Applicants must hold or be eligible for North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician certification and forward an application to the EMC Director by January 15 of each year for entry the following August.

Required Prerequisites: Complete a minimum of 60 semester hours including all liberal studies and pre-professional courses. Students must earn a C (2.00) or better in BIOL 291 and BIOL 292.

Minimum Program Entry GPA Requirement: 2.50

Program Retention and Graduation: Students admitted to the professional sequence must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in each EMC course in the major and maintain an overall 2.00 GPA to remain in the EMC Program.

Additional Information: An accelerated curriculum available for associate degree paramedics normally allows completion of degree requirements in two years. Articulating and other transfer students holding current paramedic certification should contact the EMC Program Director about degree requirements and EMC Program admission.

EMC Online Program Approximately two thirds of our students in the EMC Online Program are working professionals who take undergraduate courses online to fit into their work/life schedule.

While distance education offers some conveniences, the teaching and learning methods are very different from the traditional, lecture-based instructional model. Prospective distance learning students are encouraged to perform a self-inventory of their learning styles to ensure that they are well-suited to the unique challenges of learning at a distance. Online students should possess strong communications skills and computer proficiency is essential.

Current paramedic practitioners who are graduates of associate degree or certificate programs will find transfer and advanced-standing mechanisms available for establishing credit towards the bachelor’s degree.

Military personnel who have completed SOCM or 18D training may enter the program with advanced standing. Advanced standing also may be gained by completing programs which have direct articulation agreements at WCU, through individual course transfer, or through proficiency examinations.

1. Program Admission To be eligible for the EMC Online Program, a student must: (a) complete all admission requirements of the University, (b) have completed a minimum of 60 hours of college credit (may be in any discipline), (c) provide proof of state or National Registry paramedic certification, or completion of U.S. Army SOCM or 18D MOS, and (d) have a cumulative 2.5 GPA in all previous college courses. Exceptions, if granted, must be in writing from the Program Director.

2. Academic Performance Students admitted to the professional sequence in Emergency Medical Care are encouraged to strive for academic excellence. A grade of C (73) or better must be earned in each EMC course in the professional sequence and an overall 2.0 GPA must be maintained in order for the student to remain in the program and in order for a student to graduate.

3. Graduation Requirements Although an academic advisor will be assigned to each student, the student assumes ultimate responsibility for completing all requirements for graduation.

*CHM 131 & CHM 131A: Introduction to Chemistry can be taken in place of CHM 151: General Chemistry I

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University: