Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Emergency Health Services



Faculty

Acting Department Chair

Lucy Wilson

Professor

Lucy Wilson
B.A., Johns Hopkins University, 1989; Sc.M., Harvard University, 1993; M.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine, 1996

Assistant Professor

Diane C. Flint
B.A., University of Baltimore, 2002; M.S., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2008; D.P.A., University of Baltimore, 2019

Clinical Professor

Jeffrey Mitchell
B.S., St. Mary’s Seminary and University, 1971; M.S., Loyola College, 1975; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 1983

Clinical Assistant Professor

Kyle Bates
B.S., Rochester Institute of Technology, 1997; M.S., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2004

Crista Lenk
B.S., Pennsylvania State University, 1997; M.P.A., West Virginia University, 1999

Lecturer, Clinical Coordinator

Gary Williams, Jr.
B.S., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2004; M.S., 2019

Visiting Lecturer

Jaeyoung Yang
B.S., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2004

Medical Director

Matthew Levy
B.S., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2000; M.S., 2008; D.O., Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2006

Program Management Specialist

Renee Decker
B.A., Western Maryland College, 1990

Professor Emeritus

Richard Bissell
B.A., University of California, Davis, 1973; M.S., University of Colorado, 1979; M.A., University of Denver, 1979; Ph.D., 1984

Bruce Walz
B.A., Western Maryland College, 1975; M.A., Hood College, 1982; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 1985

Senior Lecturer Emeritus

Dwight Polk
B.A., Virginia Polytechnic and State University, 1981; M.S.W., University of Maryland, Baltimore, 1996

Instructor Emeritus

John Ashworth
B.A., University of Virginia, 1967; M.H.A., The George Washington University, 1975

 

Courses in this program are listed under EHS.

Students gain a unique depth of experience in emergency health services through this baccalaureate degree. The program stresses academic and clinical abilities, interpersonal and leadership skills, and the capacity for appropriate judgment. The major objective of the degree program is to prepare students for work in various occupational settings relating to emergency health services systems. Primary emphasis is placed upon developing leadership skills and promoting personal and professional growth.

Graduates are prepared to:

  • Coordinate and manage emergency health systems
  • Interact effectively with other professionals in the emergency medical services system, as well as with community agencies and the general public
  • Satisfy certification requirements for EMT or Paramedic
  • Conduct or use research
  • Pursue graduate study

The Department of Emergency Health Services offers a unique perspective for the education of future EMS professionals. This is accomplished by providing a broad liberal arts and sciences education, which enhances the graduate’s employment opportunities as prehospital providers and managers. The Department of Emergency Health Services also prepares graduates for advancement to graduate and professional studies.

Career and Academic Paths

Federal, state and local efforts in the past three decades have resulted in innovative programs designed to improve the quality and efficiency of emergency health care services. As a result, several career fields have been created. Health professionals are needed at all levels in today’s emergency medical services system. Depending on experience and education, EMS health professionals will serve as emergency medical technicians, educators, supervisors, coordinators, planners, consultants, managers and directors. Additionally, EMS activities are relevant to ambulance providers, fire and rescue services, hospitals, industrial health services, military and volunteer EMS organizations. The solid academic basis of the EHS baccalaureate degree also prepares students for advanced studies in the sciences, medicine, public health, hospital administration and other health management programs. Students completing a degree within the Department of Emergency Health Services may chose to specialize in the Paramedic Concentration.

Emergency Health Services Major

Admission to the Emergency Health Services major is concurrent with the general admission requirements at UMBC. Both freshman and transfer students must submit university application forms to the UMBC Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation. Students are able to complete this degree on a part-time basis. Students already possessing their National Registry Paramedic (NRP) license may be eligible for academic credit up to 30 credits for completion of an approved paramedic training program.

Paramedic Concentration

The paramedic is a professional provider of emergency care who must possess the essential attributes that are demanded by the profession, including general academic ability, physical abilities, interpersonal relationship skills, capacity for appropriate judgment and orientation toward human services. Class size is limited. EHS paramedic concentration majors are required to submit a formal application to the paramedic track by March 1, preceding the first semester that the student is eligible to take paramedic clinical courses. All EHS paramedic concentration lower-division requirements must be completed with a grade of C or higher prior to taking any paramedic clinical courses. The application will be accompanied by: A copy of the student’s Maryland EMT or National Registry EMT certification, current CPR (BCLS) certification, acceptable verification of status of physical health and immunizations, verification of active EMS experience, including documentation of at least 100 patient contacts with assessments prior to the first semester of paramedic clinical courses, four recommendations as suggested by the program, official transcripts from all colleges or university programs, documentation of membership in a Maryland fire or EMS agency, and documentation of a criminal background check by an agency recommended or approved by the program. The application package, including academic record, will be reviewed by a selection committee. Final selection of students will be based on a personal interview, the ability to complete any remaining credit hours of EHS paramedic concentration lower-division requirements prior to the beginning of the first semester of paramedic clinical courses, results of the criminal background check, the student’s previous emergency care experiences, and an EMT knowledge written examination. Interviews are scheduled in April. Paramedic concentration students are required to purchase malpractice insurance through the university and clinical uniforms from the department while engaged in clinical and field experience. Students should be aware that some clinical sites require specific vaccinations. Other fees and costs may be associated with participation in clinical and field training. Students are required to provide their own transportation to clinical and field experience sites. Personal health insurance coverage is strongly recommended. The paramedic concentration is accredited nationally by the Committee on Accreditation of EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) and locally by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS).

Academic Advising

Successful completion of the EHS program requires thoughtful sequencing and careful attention to the program requirements; therefore, early and continuous advising is necessary. Students will be assigned a permanent EHS faculty advisor upon receipt of application forms. Transfer students should seek pre-transfer advising from the UMBC Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation and the EHS Department. The Department of Emergency Health Services welcomes high school students to contact an advisor for information. All UMBC students are required to complete the General Education Program (GEP). Students must take elective courses in science, humanities, social science, culture, and foreign language to fulfill the GEP. Some GEPs coincide with EHS degree requirements. Students are encouraged to work closely with their EHS faculty advisor in selecting GEP courses that will satisfy their individual interests.

Graduate Programs

The Department of Emergency Health Services at UMBC offers several options for post graduate work, including a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Emergency Management, two tracks leading to a Master of Science (M.S.) degree, a concentration in Education that can be combined with either degree track, and a first of its kind Concentration in Emergency Services leading to a Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in cooperation with UMBC’s School of Public Policy.

The concept of emergency health services graduate study at UMBC encompasses all EMS system components, with the program primarily focused on preparing professionals for leadership roles requiring skills in planning, research and development, and organizational operations. The curriculum offers two separate tracks and is designed to provide graduate-level training and education to health care providers, researchers, educators, policy-makers and administrators. This degree is also a core component of the UMB-UMBC post-residency fellowship in emergency medical services. The two major tracks in the program are: (1) EHS System Management-Administration, Policy & Planning; (2) Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology.  Both tracks are offered either In-Person/On-Campus or via distance education and enrolls students from around the world. For track 2, the department has designed a graduate program incorporating offerings from several university departments at both UMBC and UMB; this track is set up primarily as an online program, but may require some in-person courses to fulfill the track requirements. The EHS degree sequence is designed to fit the needs of part-time as well as full-time students.

EHS offers a Ph.D. Concentration in Emergency Health or Emergency Management in connection with UMBC’s School of Public Policy Ph.D. program.

Combined B.S./M.S.

Students in the EHS undergraduate program who meet specific qualifications may opt for a combined B.S./M.S. degree that can, under optimal conditions, be completed in five years total time for both degrees.

Part-Time Option

The Emergency Health Services degree can be completed on a part-time basis. The paramedic concentration requires full-time status during the junior and senior years.

Special Opportunities

UMBC’s close proximity to and cooperative arrangements with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) professional schools and the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) provides students unique opportunities for contacts and experiences. Included in the possibilities are: Maryland’s internationally renowned R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, the National Study Center for Trauma/EMS, the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and the John Hopkins Hospital.

Student Organizations

EHS majors, minors, and graduate students are encouraged to participate in the Council of Majors.

Programs

    Bachelor of ScienceNon-Degree

    Courses

      Emergency Health Services