2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Emergency Health Services
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Faculty
Chair
Bruce Walz
B.A., Western Maryland College, 1975; M.A., Hood College, 1982; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 1985
Clinical Professor
Jeffrey Mitchell
B.A., St. Mary’s Seminary and University, 1971; M.S., Loyola College, 1975; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 1983
Clinical Assistant Professor
Crista Lenk
B.A., The Pennsylvania State University, 1997; M.P.A., West Virginia University, 1999
Senior Lecturer
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
William Hathaway
B.S., United States Military Academy, 1961; M.S., The George Washington University, 1968
Medical Director
Matthew Levy
B.S, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2000; D.O., Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2006; M.S, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2008
Clinical Coordinator
Deanna Wiseman
B.S., Towson University, 2009
Professor
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
Clinical Assistant Instructor
Diane Flint
B.A. University of Baltimore, 2002; M.S., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2008
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. There are two separate tracks within the Department of Emergency Health Services; management and paramedic.
Management Track
Admission to the management track 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.
Paramedic Track
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 track majors are required to submit a formal application to the paramedic track by March 31, preceding the first semester that the student is eligible to take paramedic clinical courses. All EHS paramedic track 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 track 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 track 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 track is accredited nationally by the Committee on Accreditation of EMS Professions and locally by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems.
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 also offers a graduate program leading to a master of science degree. The concept of emergency health services graduate study at UMBC encompasses all EMS system components. The educational program is primarily focused on preparing professionals for leadership roles requiring skills in planning, research and development, and organizational operations. The curriculum offers three 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 three major tracks in the program are: (1) EHS management; (2) preventive medicine and epidemiology and (3) education. Tracks 1 and 3 are offered via distance education and enrolls students from around the world. For track two, 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 on-campus evening program. The EHS degree sequence is designed to fit the needs of part-time as well as full-time students.
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 management track can be completed on a part-time basis. The paramedic track 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.
ProgramsBachelor of ScienceNon-DegreeCoursesEmergency Health Services
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