Degree or Certificate?

leeksoldier

leeksoldier

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Hi, I am about to start college and I would like to be a paramedic some day. I am so incredibly new to this and would like some advice. What I was thinking of doing was getting my certificate and start working, getting experience, and then going back to school to get my degree. Is that a good idea or just a waste of time and money? All opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
leeksoldier said:
Hi, I am about to start college and I would like to be a paramedic some day. I am so incredibly new to this and would like some advice. What I was thinking of doing was getting my certificate and start working, getting experience, and then going back to school to get my degree. Is that a good idea or just a waste of time and money? All opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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There are those that will tell you just get your cert, but I'm am a huge fan of higher learning... I recommend the degree. Just make sure it is obtained from an accredited college or university, not "Bob's house of EMS"
 
leeksoldier said:
Hi, I am about to start college and I would like to be a paramedic some day. I am so incredibly new to this and would like some advice. What I was thinking of doing was getting my certificate and start working, getting experience, and then going back to school to get my degree. Is that a good idea or just a waste of time and money? All opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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I am a huge fan of a person earning thier way to success. It's neither a waste of time nor a waste of money. You'll eat, pay for school and do it on your own terms. Now if mom and dad are footing a 4 year degree then by all means, go for it. Otherwise, a degree paid for out of one's own pocket carries a certain amount of self satisfaction come graduation day. :)
 
Depends on where you want to work, I know alot of medics who have two year degrees, and I know medics who got there medic cert back in the 70's, and vocational programs, but what we all have in common is an awsume pay rate, great pension, and only have to work ten days out of the month if you want, or if like me Iam an overtime :censored::censored::censored::censored::censored:.:P
 
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Put in the extra time and money for the degree. If you can locate a bachelor's in paramedicine that's great, but at least get an associate's in it then finish to a bachelor's. That way you can work the shifts if you want to, get a slightly higher cert with that bachelor's (TX gives you gold lettering on your patch if you have one), and then also have the ability to teach it at the secondary level by going through alternative teacher certification or a minor in education. Broadens the money-making ability some, and we're going to get to the point where any kind of supervisory role will require a bachelor's. Do it now and be done.
 
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atropine said:
Depends on where you want to work, I know alot of medics who have two year degrees, and I know medics who got there medic cert back in the 70's, and vocational programs, but what we all have in common is an awsume pay rate, great pension, and only have to work ten days out of the month if you want, or if like me Iam an overtime :censored::censored::censored::censored::censored:.:P
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That's why you need to find a nice high paying job where you can work 10-12 shifts a month and not need any overtime. :D
 
You say you're about to start college. If you see that through and get your degree, you'll likely have more employment options than you would with paramedic certification only.
 
rescue99 said:
... a degree paid for out of one's own pocket carries a certain amount of self satisfaction come graduation day. :)
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JPINFV said:
That's why you need to find a nice high paying job where you can work 10-12 shifts a month and not need any overtime. :D
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Couldn't agree more
 
I am paying out of my own pocket. So, is it better to just go straight for the degree, or get the certification first, then degree? Any other recomendations? I plan on living and working in Houston, TX for good.
 
If it was me I would start out by getting your EMT-B certification and work as a part-timer and go to school for your Paramedic classes. Once you have finished those classes just knock out what is left and you will have a degree.

Just for an example. At my college we have 4 paramedic classes and I plan on getting my Basic certification this semester and then finding a part-time job and continuing on with the medic classes. Once I complete them I will only have 6 other general classes left to complete and I will have a degree in EMS.

If things go that smoothly I am looking at about a year and half to 2 years of schooling which really isn't all the that bad if you think about it.

Good luck and I hope you do well.
 
Absolutely, positively, before you do anything...talk to your local agencies. If you plan on working in the area, one of them may be willing to put you through medic school, so find out what they look for and what they can do for you. If may turn out that paying your own way is your best bet, but having all the info will not hurt you.
 
Given your situation I’d complete the course work to qualify for NREMT-B up front, in as little as one semester. Then volunteer or seek part time employment as an EMT-B while I completed the course work for Paramedic. However, achieving the higher goal of becoming a Paramedic would take priority over any volunteer of part time employment, given adequate finances.

Cheers,
W-W
 
Go for the degree. It's really not much longer in actual school time to get a degree over a cert.
 
Degree, come on now, at least attempt to be like the rest of the developed worlds Ambulance Officers now :)
 
Both.
 
Thank you very much, everybody. You are talking to one of Texas' future paramadics! :)
 
Let's talk real life. If you're basic needs are being met at the present, such as room, board and clothing, then go ahead and do the degree. If you really need the money, as in you (and family if applicable) will starve, go homeless, or rack up massive debt, then do the quicker cert program, and then complete the degree after the fact. Just be sure to do college level A&P/pharm before starting the program, or at least at the same time as the program starts. If you need the medic money, then you can fart around with the GenEd stuff afterward. The end result is the same either way, you'll still be a degreed medic at some point. Your finances will dictate which path you choose. Sure, PSY, SOC, ENG, a foreign language and such will be beneficial, but I don't feel that you'll be that much of an inferior provider having not taken those courses. Take those courses, of course, but do them later on if you need to.
 
Federal Pell pays for degree-seeking programs. This is a big thing to consider.
 
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