paramedic degree vs certificate?

Strokin&SmokinGirl97

Forum Probie
11
0
0
Im trying to find the pro and cons of getting a paramedic degree or certificate, the schooing ; for a certificate is about half of what a degree would take and i dont want everything crammed into a short amount of time, and i want the best schooling. Im also wondering what the chances for hiring are. Anyone have any insight?
 

medicRob

Forum Deputy Chief
1,754
3
0
Im trying to find the pro and cons of getting a paramedic degree or certificate, the schooing ; for a certificate is about half of what a degree would take and i dont want everything crammed into a short amount of time, and i want the best schooling. Im also wondering what the chances for hiring are. Anyone have any insight?

Degree programs are eligible for Federal funding. Degree programs have general education requirements resulting in the student getting a more rounded education. Degree programs offer articulation and transfer opportunities to other programs. These are just a few things.
 
OP
OP
Strokin&SmokinGirl97

Strokin&SmokinGirl97

Forum Probie
11
0
0
I was actually surprised at the curriculum of the degree really there aren't alot of general education classes mainly english no math or science, and it is considered a science major haha
 

medicRob

Forum Deputy Chief
1,754
3
0
I was actually surprised at the curriculum of the degree really there aren't alot of general education classes mainly english no math or science, and it is considered a science major haha

Bachelors and Associates degree programs differ greatly in the general education requirements. This is true in many degree programs, not just EMS.
 

nwhitney

Forum Captain
354
1
18
Im trying to find the pro and cons of getting a paramedic degree or certificate, the schooing ; for a certificate is about half of what a degree would take and i dont want everything crammed into a short amount of time, and i want the best schooling. Im also wondering what the chances for hiring are. Anyone have any insight?

I'd go degree. From my understanding (I could be wrong) more and more places are requiring a degree. They do here in Oregon for Paramedics. While in reality there may not be much of a difference between the two there is a perceived difference and the degree holder often has advantage over someone with a certification.
 

medicRob

Forum Deputy Chief
1,754
3
0
I'd go degree. From my understanding (I could be wrong) more and more places are requiring a degree. They do here in Oregon for Paramedics. While in reality there may not be much of a difference between the two there is a perceived difference and the degree holder often has advantage over someone with a certification.

Not really. 90% of services pay degreed medics the same as non-degree. This might change in the future. The question to ask yourself is, are you okay with the absolute minimum? Why not expand your knowledge and bring a more informed care to the field? I got my AAS in paramedicine, so I am not speaking blindly on the topic.
 
OP
OP
Strokin&SmokinGirl97

Strokin&SmokinGirl97

Forum Probie
11
0
0
That's what im thinking Im not sure if i want to work closer to a big city or more towards the rural side of things i didn't know if where i wanted to work would affect what i should do or not.
 
OP
OP
Strokin&SmokinGirl97

Strokin&SmokinGirl97

Forum Probie
11
0
0
Not really. 90% of services pay degreed medics the same as non-degree. This might change in the future. The question to ask yourself is, are you okay with the absolute minimum? Why not expand your knowledge and bring a more informed care to the field? I got my AAS in paramedicine, so I am not speaking blindly on the topic.

Thats also another reason i was leaning more towards degree, i think i may take the EMT-PM which is a management major im indecisive between the science major or the management major.
 

Navajib

Forum Probie
13
0
0
I chose the local, two-year degree program to allow further time to study more in depth about each course we cover in the program. IMO, it gives me a better framework to work from as opposed to other one-year certificates. As a current student now that has just completed the first year, I can't imagine placing all the information we have covered into 1 semester. Another aspect is I could transfer credits to apply toward a bachelors. But then again, I have limited EMS experience as a basic--as I just converted to EMS last summer enrolling in an emt-basic course at the local college.
 

mgr22

Forum Deputy Chief
1,656
814
113
Im trying to find the pro and cons of getting a paramedic degree or certificate, the schooing ; for a certificate is about half of what a degree would take and i dont want everything crammed into a short amount of time, and i want the best schooling. Im also wondering what the chances for hiring are. Anyone have any insight?

None of us knows how long we'll be doing EMS. A degree in almost anything will give you opportunities you probably won't have with just paramedic certification.
 
OP
OP
Strokin&SmokinGirl97

Strokin&SmokinGirl97

Forum Probie
11
0
0
None of us knows how long we'll be doing EMS. A degree in almost anything will give you opportunities you probably won't have with just paramedic certification.

Yeah I'm considering a degree in healthcare management also maybe after I get my paramedic degree
 

usafmedic45

Forum Deputy Chief
3,796
5
0
How easy is it to become an RN after becoming a paramedic i've heard a little bit about bridge over classes, but not much..

It's effectively the same as if you were going to go straight into nursing school.
 

medicRob

Forum Deputy Chief
1,754
3
0

medicstudent101

Forum Lieutenant
175
0
0
Go the degree route if you plan on pursuing any further eduction past your paramedic. If you don't plan on going anywhere, just get your certification.
 

medicstudent101

Forum Lieutenant
175
0
0
Plans change, sometimes due to necessity. I wouldn't want to lock myself into one career.

Of course. It's the very nature of life. Just because you don't have a degree doesn't mean you're locked in a certain career. It just means others will have a slight advantage changing their's.
 
OP
OP
Strokin&SmokinGirl97

Strokin&SmokinGirl97

Forum Probie
11
0
0
Go the degree route if you plan on pursuing any further eduction past your paramedic. If you don't plan on going anywhere, just get your certification.

Im just going with the degree, i change my mind so much i dont know if i will do it for a lifetime or not, but i think a degree would be worth more school and all, did you get a degree or cert?
 

mgr22

Forum Deputy Chief
1,656
814
113
Of course. It's the very nature of life. Just because you don't have a degree doesn't mean you're locked in a certain career. It just means others will have a slight advantage changing their's.

If you have paramedic certification instead of a degree (the alternative you offered), I'd say people with degrees would have much more than a slight advantage over you, in qualifying for non-EMS opportunities.
 
Top