Some programs (probably not most) do involve a degree and are measured using semester hours; USA has a BS - EMS program that is approximately 128 S/H and confers EMT-P and critical care certifications as a part of the degree itself (total education time is four years, just like every other baccalaureate program at South). This isn't to say that most programs are measured this way (clock hours, like Ventmedic said, sounds like a more common method of measurement for diploma programs). Nonetheless, if a well-known (around here, anyway
) paramedic program feasibly takes four years to complete, it would stand to reason that a summer paramedic course is probably not adequate in the context of course length. For comparison, my program is four nights a week, 3-4 hours per night, plus clinical hours (~160/semester) and takes approximately two years. This is after pre-reqs have been met (EMT-B/I, medical terminology, A&P, etc).