Adult Studies
Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services
Advance your career with a 100% online Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services (BS-EMS) degree completion program created for certified/licensed paramedics. Designed for working professionals, the program recognizes your prior paramedic education and helps prepare you for leadership, management, and expanded opportunities across today’s evolving healthcare system. Enrolling now for a Fall 2026 semester start.
Program Details
- Official Degree Name
- Bachelor of Science
- Format
-
Online
- Credit Hours
- 120
- Program Start
- Fall 2026
- Application Deadline
- Apply Anytime
- Average Time to Degree
- 2-3 Years
Why Get Your EMS Degree at DeSales University?
DeSales University offers one of the few EMS-specific bachelor’s degree completion programs designed to help practicing paramedics earn a degree without stepping away from the workforce. Through coursework focused on healthcare systems, management, and professional development, you’ll gain skills that support advancement into supervisory, educational, and administrative roles. The program also provides a strong academic foundation for paramedics interested in pursuing future graduate healthcare education.
Program Highlights
Designed for Working Paramedics
- Complete your Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services (BS-EMS) fully online through Adult Studies while continuing to work in EMS or healthcare. Flexible coursework is built to accommodate rotating shifts, long hours, and the demanding schedules common in paramedicine.
Recognition of Your Experience
- Your prior paramedic education matters. The program awards academic credit for previous paramedic training based on nationally recognized recommendations, helping you complete your EMS bachelor’s degree more efficiently without repeating coursework.
Leadership and Career Advancement
- Develop the leadership, healthcare systems, and management knowledge needed for advancement within EMS and the broader healthcare field. The BS-EMS program helps prepare paramedics for opportunities in supervision, operations, education, administration, and future graduate-level study.
What Will You Study?
Build on your paramedic experience through coursework focused on healthcare systems, leadership, management, and professional development within emergency medical services. As part of this online EMS degree completion program, you’ll strengthen your understanding of healthcare operations, anatomy and physiology, healthcare economics, and systems-based patient care.
Courses you may take include:
- Healthcare Systems
- EMS Leadership & Management
- Healthcare Economics & Finance
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Ethics in Healthcare
Meet the Faculty
Outcomes & Careers
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services (BS-EMS) program are prepared for expanded opportunities in EMS leadership, healthcare administration, education, and systems-based roles. By combining prior paramedic experience with coursework in healthcare systems, management, and professional development, the program helps position working paramedics for long-term career advancement within the evolving healthcare landscape.
- EMS Supervisor or Operations Manager
- EMS Director or Administrator
- Clinical Educator or Paramedic Instructor
- Community Paramedicine Coordinator
- Disaster Preparedness Specialist
- Healthcare Management Roles
- Graduate Healthcare Education Pathways
Admissions Criteria
- Valid paramedic license or certificate
- A high school diploma or GED, and at least one of the following:
- You have been out of high school for 5+ years
- You are a veteran or active-duty service member
- You have a full-time career and/or other significant non-academic responsibilities, such as being self-supporting or having financial dependents
- You already have a bachelor's degree and are now pursuing a certificate or second degree
Prerequisites
Already Attended Some College?
We will be happy to evaluate your prior college courses. DeSales accepts credits from regionally accredited colleges and universities. All transferred credits must be applicable to some curriculum offered at DeSales University. Certified/Licensed paramedics will receive academic credit for prior paramedic education and training based on nationally recognized recommendations, helping reduce the time needed to complete the degree.
You must complete at least 30 credits at DeSales University to earn a degree from DSU. Please note that only credits are transferred; grades from transfer courses are not calculated into your GPA at DeSales University.
Program FAQs
An EMS degree completion program is designed for certified/licensed paramedics who have already completed paramedic training and want to earn a bachelor’s degree. The program builds on your existing education and field experience while expanding your knowledge in healthcare systems, leadership, and management.
This program is designed specifically for practicing paramedics seeking career advancement within EMS, healthcare leadership, education, or related healthcare fields. It is structured for working professionals who need flexibility while completing their degree.
Yes. Coursework is delivered in a flexible online format through Adult Studies, allowing students to balance classes with rotating shifts, family responsibilities, and professional commitments common in EMS careers.
Yes. The program recognizes prior paramedic education and awards 46 credits based on nationally recognized recommendations, helping eligible students complete their degree more efficiently.
No. Students may apply with certificate-based or associate-level paramedic education. Previous college coursework will be evaluated for transfer credit eligibility.
Most students complete the program in approximately 2–3 years, depending on the number of transfer credits accepted toward the degree.
Graduates may pursue opportunities in EMS supervision, operations management, EMS administration, clinical education, community paramedicine, disaster preparedness, and healthcare management roles.
Yes. The program can help provide academic preparation for students interested in pursuing future education in areas such as Physician Assistant Studies, nursing, healthcare leadership, and related healthcare disciplines.
No. This is a degree completion program designed for experienced paramedics who already possess significant clinical training and field experience.
Tuition for the BS-EMS program is $610 per credit, consistent with DeSales University Adult Studies tuition rates. Financial aid is available for eligible students, and tuition discounts may be offered for members of EMS agencies or organizations that are strategic partners of DeSales University.
Upcoming Events
Adult Studies Admissions
Contact
-
610-282-1100 x1277 -
adultstudies@desales.edu -
Dooling Hall
