Paramedic

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Program Director: 

Program Website

NOTE: The Paramedic program at Great Falls College is under review and does not accept new students. However, students may complete the Paramedic degree through City College in Billings, a One MSU affiliate campus.

The Paramedic degree is offered online with limited onsite.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel play a primary role in providing care and transportation of the sick and injured in a pre-hospital setting. GFC MSU offers an AAS degree for the Paramedic program.

Upon completion of the Paramedic program, students will be prepared to sit for the National Registry Certification Examination to gain licensure and begin a successful career as a top-level pre-hospital care provider.

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.

Admission Requirements

The Great Falls College MSU Paramedic Program is a limited enrollment program, accepting a restricted number of students each year. Interested students are urged to contact the Program Director or the Advising & Career Center Advisors for student advising specific to program admission requirements and criteria for program acceptance.

Eligibility for Admission into the Paramedic Program

All eligibility forms and documents are enclosed in the Paramedic Program Information and Application Packet.

To be eligible to apply for admission into the Paramedic Program, applicants must:

• Be admitted to Great Falls College MSU
• Be in good academic standing

Required Paramedic program admissions qualifications include:

• Current National Registry Certification as an EMT
• EMT or AEMT state licensure prior to enrollment
• Current certification in BLS HCP (CPR)
• A math course in the MUS Core with a grade of at least C-
• WRIT 101 College Writing I or higher with a grade of at least C-
• BIOH 104 Basic Human Biology w/ Lab OR BIOH 108 OR BOTH BIOH 201 and BIOH 211 with a grade of at least C- or higher

Graduates are prepared to:

Program Cognitive Objective:

• Demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate the clinical information relative to his role as an entry-level Paramedic in Cascade County, the State of Montana, and the U.S.

Program Psychomotor Objective:

• Demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role of entry-level Paramedic in Cascade County, the State of Montana, and the U.S.

Program Affective Objective:

• Demonstrate professional and employer expectations for the entry level Paramedic in Cascade County, the State of Montana, and the U.S.

Estimated Resident Program Cost*

Estimated Resident Program Cost

Item	Cost
Tuition and Fees	$8,829
Lab/Course Fees	$1,985
Books/Supplies	$2,417
Total	$13,308

*

Fall 2025 MUS Student Health Insurance Premiums may be changing. Please check the Health Insurance website and/or Student Central for confirmed premium rates.

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.

The Great Falls College Paramedic Program is a limited enrollment program, accepting a restricted number of students each year. Interested students are urged to contact the Paramedic Program Director or Advising and Career Center Advisors for student advising specific to admission requirements and criteria for program acceptance.

Science courses with labs must be completed within five (5) years of application to the program, and other courses must be completed within 15 years of applying to the program.

Prerequisite Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Fall Semester
ECP 131	Emergency Medical Technician with Clinical +	7
M 121	College Algebra (OR Any math course in the MUS Core ) **,+	3
WRIT 101	College Writing I **,+	3
Fall Subtotal		13
Spring Semester
Select one of the following:
BIOH 104	Basic Human Biology w/ Lab +	4
BIOH 108	Basic Anatomy +	4
or both
BIOH 201	Human Anatomy Phys I w/ Lab (= 301) **,+	4
BIOH 211	Human Anatomy Phys II w/ Lab (=311) *,+	4
NOTE: UM Western students may substitute BIOB 160, BIOH 365 & BIOH 370 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 115	Introduction to Interpersonal Communication +	3
PSYX 100	Introduction to Psychology +	3
SOCI 101	Introduction to Sociology +	3
Spring Subtotal		14-18

 TOTAL PREREQUISITE CREDITS: 27-31

+

A grade of C- or above is required for graduation.

*

Indicates prerequisites needed.

**

Placement in course(s) is determined by placement assesment.

***

PROGRAM ADVISOR will work with student to choose appropriate electives.

Program Course Requirements After Formal Acceptance

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
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 Health Care Providers *,+	2
	Credits	17
Spring
ECP 237	Paramedic III *,+	3
ECP 238	Paramedic IV *,+	3
ECP 239	Paramedic III/IV Lab *,+	2
ECP 241	Pediatric Advanced Life Support *,+	1
ECP 245	Clinical II *,+	4
	Credits	13
Summer
ECP 240	Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support *,+	1
ECP 298	Field Internship *,+	6
	Credits	7
	Total Credits	37

TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS: 64-68

Suggested Electives

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

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
AHMS 144	Medical Terminology	3
Any CHMY course
Any BIOH course (not used already)
Any BIOB course
CAPP 131	Basic MS Office	3
ECP 100	First Aid and CPR	1
SIGN 101	Introduction to American Sign Language	3
OR other courses with program director approval

+

A grade of C- or above is required for graduation.

*

Indicates prerequisites needed.

**

Placement in course(s) is determined by placement assessment.