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Paramedic Program & EMS Offerings

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Employment Data

  Emergency Medical Technician
Median Wage (MT)* $29,340 yearly - $14.10 per hour

Median Wage (US)*

 $35,400 yearly - $17.02 per hour
Annual Job Openings (MT)* 56
Annual Job Openings (US)* 19,900
Expected Growth (MT)* 13.1%
Expected Growth (US)* 7.1%
*Montana Career Information System
Career Opportunities
Why Great Falls College MSU

What Our Graduates Say


"Clinical practice and variety of clinical settings with small student/instructor ratios in clinicals that makes getting to practice skills easier"
"It is a 2-year program that provides students with alot of hands-on learning and experience and preparing student nurses to be successful as RNs. The program really helps students to prepare to take the NCLEX and become a very well rounded nurse."
"Faculty are constantly trying to improve the program, which gradually makes things better for the students. Program provides many opportunities to work in different areas of nursing during clinicals."
"This program is very patient focused and I feel that is important criteria to continue. It also does well to teach each disease process and how to plan care accordingly."
"They strive to help us in any way they can. They never talk down to you or make you feel dumb, they lift you up and really build confidence in the students. They make it very easy to go and talk to them about any issue that you may be having, and work with you to overcome the issue. The wide variety of clinicals is another strength. It's really helpful to be able to have so many different experiences. The adjuncts are amazing and advocate for us as students. They really want to help us grow and learn."
"I think it has taught me a lot about nursing. I like how it feels like a family because of the small size and having only a few instructors."
"I believe that this program has highly trained professionals as the course instructors and because of their level of expertise they are able to teach each subject using different learning techniques for each individual student."
"Going to GFC-MSU nursing program symbolizes a great commitment of investing into our community and becoming a part of something far greater than yourself."
"The nursing program at GFCMSU equips a student with a solid foundation of nursing education, but also gives students the courage to be the start of conversations to change the world of healthcare."
Figure Out Your Finances

Paramedic Program Estimated Costs

Estimated Resident Program Cost*

Tuition and Fees $8,625
Application Fee $30
Lab/Course Fees $2,465
Ambulance Third Rider $480
Books/Supplies $2,494
Total $14,093

Figure Out Your Finances

Students seeking federal financial aid (which includes grants and loans) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which online at fafsa.ed.gov. As a result of completing a FAFSA, an applicant will receive a federal Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail or online. An electronic version of the SAR is automatically sent to the schools listed on the FAFSA. To list Great Falls College MSU, use our school code: 009314.

Students applying for financial aid may also be required to provide proper federal income tax information, completed verification materials, and any other information requested by the Financial Aid Office. Students must apply for financial aid annually.

Assistance is available to prospective students applying for financial aid. In addition, financial aid counseling for new students is an integral part of the admissions and orientation process. Once enrolled, students may receive counseling and assistance as needed. For assistance, please call 406-771-4334, or write to the Financial Aid Office, Great Falls College MSU, 2100 16th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405, or email finaid@gfcmsu.edu.

Great Falls College MSU also offers a wide variety of different scholarships to assist you in paying for your college. To view a list of current scholarship offerings, please see our scholarship page.

Explore Course Lists

Paramedic Program Course Lists

Many students need preliminary math, science, and writing courses before enrolling in the program requirements. These courses may increase the total number of program credits. Students should review their math and writing placement before planning out their full program schedules.

General Education Prerequisite Requirements

Fall Semester
ECP 131EMT with Clinical +7
M 121College Algebra (OR Any math course in the MUS Core ) **,+3
WRIT 101College Writing I **,+3
Fall Subtotal13
Spring Semester
Select one of the following:
BIOH 104Basic Human Biology & Lab **,+4
BIOH 108Basic Anatomy **,+4
or both
BIOH 201Human Anat Phys I/Lab (= 301) **,+4
BIOH 211Human Anat Phys II & Lab(=311) *,+4
NOTE: UM Western students may substitute BIOB 160, BIOH 365 & BIOH 379 for GFC MSU BIOH 201 & BIOH 211. All 3 classes are required and must have a grade of C or higher (not C-) within the last 5 years of application.
Electives ***7
Select one of the following:
COMX 115Intro to Interpersonal Communc +3
PSYX 100Introduction to Psychology +3
SOCI 101Introduction to Sociology +3
Spring Subtotal14-18

 TOTAL PREREQUISITE CREDITS: 27-31

Degree Requirements After Formal Acceptance into the Paramedic Program

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ECP 203 Fundamentals of Advanced Care *,+ 3
ECP 209 Paramedic I *,+ 3
ECP 210 Paramedic II *,+ 3
ECP 211 Paramedic I/II Lab *,+ 2
ECP 212 Advanced Cardiac Life Support *,+ 1
ECP 215 Clinical I *,+ 3
HTH 140 Pharmacology for HC Providers *,+ 2
 Credits17
Spring
ECP 237 Paramedic III *,+ 3
ECP 238 Paramedic IV *,+ 3
ECP 239 Paramedic III/IV Lab *,+ 2
ECP 241 Pediatric Advanced Life Supprt *,+ 1
ECP 245 Clinical II *,+ 4
 Credits13
Summer
ECP 240 Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Suppt *,+ 1
ECP 298 Field Internship *,+ 6
 Credits7
 Total Credits37

TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS: 64-68

Suggested Electives

These courses are highly recommended in addition to standard paramedic curriculum.

AHMS 142Intro to Medical Terminology1
AHMS 144Medical Terminology3
Any CHMY course
Any BIOH course (not used already)
Any BIOB course
CAPP 131Basic MS Office3
ECP 100First Aid & CPR1
SIGN 101Intro to American Sign Lang3
OR other courses with program director approval
Application Deadlines

Program Admission Process

Application packets must be postmarked extended to June 19, 2020 to be considered eligible for priority admission into the Paramedic Program for the 2020-2021 academic year. Application packets should be sent by certified mail or hand delivered. Please only send required documentation as other supplemental items will be discarded.

Contact Information

Health Science Administrative Assistant
Phone: 406.771.4350
Fax: 406.771.2264

Mailing Address:

Paramedic Program Admissions Committee
Great Falls College MSU
2100 16th Avenue South
Great Falls MT, 59405

  • Please send all application items as a completed packet. Items sent separately and at random are easily lost or misfiled. We are not responsible for any late, lost or misfiled information. Please only send required documentation as other supplemental items will be discarded.
  • Priority Application Due Date: June 19, 2020
  • Submission of false material in this Application Packet will be grounds for non-admission or, if discovered after admission, grounds for expulsion.
  • You may submit your application as soon as you complete it, prior to deadline.
  • Only complete application packets will be processed. Missing information or documents will result in processing delay or possibly non-review of your application to the program.
Paramedic Program Application
Certification/Accreditation

The Paramedic program is nationally accredited through CAAHEP, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, in collaboration with CoAEMSP, the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions.

Continuing Your Education
Additional Information

For policies regarding the Nursing Programs please view the Nursing Program Handbook.

Boards of nursing are state governmental agencies that protect the public's health by overseeing and ensuring safe nursing practice. They establish standards for safe nursing care and issue licenses to practice nursing, monitor licensees' compliance to state laws, and take action against the licenses of nurses who have exhibited unsafe nursing practice. Most boards also review and approve nursing education programs to ensure that graduates are eligible to take the national licensure examinations (NCLEX) and are prepared for safe, effective practice. Montana Board of Nursing Website

To be considered for placement in one of the nursing programs at Great Falls College MSU, a prospective student that is currently enrolled in, who has withdrawn from, or failed out of another nursing program will be required to provide a written, detailed explanation of the circumstances of their withdrawal or failure and a letter of recommendation by at least one current faculty member or the program director from the previous nursing program. The student is required to take part in the competitive entry process and will be considered for placement in the appropriate semester based on available space in the class and/or clinical in which they would enter. Visit the Pathways page for more information on the steps to take if you are interested in transferring into a Great Falls College nursing program.

Great Falls College MSU
Paramedic Program In The News

 

Great Falls College paramedic program extends priority application deadline
Great Falls College paramedic program extends priority application deadline
Great Falls College’s paramedics lab keeps personal protection top of mind amid pandemic
Great Falls College’s paramedics lab keeps personal protection top of mind amid pandemic
GFC MSU helps fill demand for paramedics
GFC MSU helps fill demand for paramedics

Paramedic Faculty

 

Joel Henderson

Joel Henderson

Office: Sim Hospital Area
406.268.3718
jhenderson@gfcmsu.edu

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