Stark State College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program prepares students for careers as EMTs, paramedics, and healthcare professionals through a combination of foundational knowledge, hands-on training, and industry-recognized certification courses. The program offers both accelerated (as short as nine months) and traditional (about 15 months) paramedic pathways, along with an associate degree, and is fully accredited by state and national organizations. Graduates are equipped to work in settings such as hospitals, fire departments, and private EMS companies, with the ability to assess, treat, and manage emergency situations across diverse patient populations.
Major code: 3551 Health and Public Services Division Emergency Services Department
The catalog in force is assigned to students based on the academic year they first applied to the college, and changes only when students change their major or request the change in writing. Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-28.
2026-27 Catalog
Effective Summer 2026
Some courses listed within the program may require a prerequisite or co-requisite.
Pre/Co-requisites will be listed within each course hyperlink below.
Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-04 and 3357:15-13-05
.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | ||
| EMS122 | Paramedic I 1 | 7 |
| EMS124 | Paramedic I Clinical 1 | 1 |
| EMS221 | Paramedic II 1 | 7 |
| EMS223 | Paramedic II Clinical 1 | 2 |
| EMS222 | Paramedic III 1 | 5 |
| EMS226 | Paramedic III Clinical 1 | 1 |
| EMS224 | Paramedic IV 1 | 6 |
| EMS225 | Paramedic IV Clinical 1 | 1 |
| Non-technical | ||
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| EMS121 | Emergency Medical Technician 2 | 7 |
| BIO101 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| ITD122 | Computer Applications for Professionals | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Statistics | ||
| Math for Allied Health | ||
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
| PSY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| BIO125 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| FST224 | Legal Aspects of Fire Services | 2 |
| Total Hours | 61 | |
- 1
Check with your advisor prior to registering.
- 2
EMS121 Emergency Medical Technician is a prerequisite for EMS122 Paramedic I. A student can waive this course by showing proof of current State of Ohio EMT Certification. This certification is required for enrollment to the paramedic program.
Full-time Student Advising Notes
Academic Advising
Students should make an appointment to see their advisor before registering for classes each semester. They should have prepared a completed registration form, including courses they wish to take, prior to this meeting.
Course Sequence
The semester-by-semester listing below provides a scheduling option for full-time associate degree students who plan to finish in two years.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| EMS121 | Emergency Medical Technician 2 | 7 |
| BIO101 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Statistics | ||
| Math for Allied Health | ||
| Hours | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EMS122 | Paramedic I 1 | 7 |
| EMS124 | Paramedic I Clinical 1 | 1 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| EMS221 | Paramedic II 1 | 7 |
| EMS223 | Paramedic II Clinical 1 | 2 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| EMS222 | Paramedic III 1 | 5 |
| EMS226 | Paramedic III Clinical 1 | 1 |
| EMS224 | Paramedic IV 1 | 6 |
| EMS225 | Paramedic IV Clinical 1 | 1 |
| BIO125 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| ITD122 | Computer Applications for Professionals | 3 |
| PSY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
| FST224 | Legal Aspects of Fire Services | 2 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Total Hours | 61 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Perform rapid assessment and triage in the pre-hospital setting of victims of all ages who have traumatic or medical conditions.
- Implement critical thinking skills in making field diagnoses to determine life threatening vs. non-life threatening injuries and illnesses, working as a team member to accomplish tasks quickly.
- Perform invasive skills and procedures within scope of practice to administer supportive and life-saving treatment in an aseptic and safe manner.
- Demonstrate accurate and thorough documentation for each victim and patient situation.
- Communicate efficiently with other healthcare professionals.
- Demonstrate competency required to be employable by Fire Departments, EMS Services, hospitals, and other healthcare agencies.