Skip to main content

Emergency Services

Degree Type
  • Bachelor of Science
Location
  • Radford University at Carilion in Roanoke, VA
Format
  • In-Person
  • Online

Overview

Realism is at the heart of our Emergency Services program. When emergencies happen, first responders are on the front lines providing care, managing crises, and rescuing those in need. At Radford University at Carilion, students prepare to face these challenges in a variety of professions on the entry and management levels.

student smiling in front of a firetruck

Select a Track That Works for You

Radford University at Carilion offers two tracks in our Emergency Services program so you can match your education to your career goals:

Initial Paramedic Certification (on-campus)
This track prepares students to become practicing paramedics through immersive classroom, lab, clinical, and field experiences focused on real-world prehospital patient care. This track also prepares students for entry-level management and leadership roles in non-fire-service EMS agencies. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the national paramedic certification exam.

Degree Completion (100% online)
This track is designed for certified paramedics who are currently working in the emergency services field and wish to complete their bachelor's degree. 

Why Study Emergency Services at Radford?

  • Carilion Clinic: As a student at Radford University at Carilion, you will be part of a healthcare clinic that employs nearly 14,000 healthcare professionals and has facilities that span over 200 miles. You will have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and national leaders in all areas of healthcare practice and administration.
  • Earn your paramedic certification in three years: Our bachelor’s degree program uniquely allows you to obtain initial paramedic certification after three years, enabling you to begin working in the field while completing your final year fully online.

Careers and Internships

Considering a career in emergency services? This program provides a strong professional foundation and positions you to stand out when entering the job market.

  • Nationally, Emergency Services professions employment is projected to grow 6% from 2023-2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
  • Above average graduation rate
  • 100% national certification rate
  • 100% employment upon or close to graduation

Opportunities for Emergency Services students at Radford

A full-scale ambulance simulator is built directly into our Emergency Services lab, so training doesn’t feel theoretical — it feels real. From your very first day, you learn by doing, practicing assessment and decision-making in live, realistic scenarios.

The Emergency Services Program is fully immersive, featuring more than 700 hours of clinical and field experience. By graduation, Radford University at Carilion Paramedic students have cared for over 1,000 real patients, entering the profession with confidence, competence, and true clinical readiness.

Admissions Requirements

  • Must be 18 years of age or older prior to the start of the second semester
  • Must have current Virginia EMT certification (reciprocity is available from other states) prior to the start of the second semester

Accreditation

The Radford University Emergency Services Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org

Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
(214) 703-8445
www.coaemsp.org

The Emergency Services Program is also accredited by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Emergency Medical Services (VAOEMS), 1041 Technology Park Drive, Glen Allen, VA. 23059, phone 1-800-523-6019.

CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic educational programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Paramedic educational programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2024.

 

2022

2023

2024

Average

National Certification

100%

100%

96.8%

96.8%

Retention

88.9%

80.6%

86.1%

85.2%

Positive Placement

100%

100%

100%

100%
 

Related Programs

Learn from people actually doing the job

Evidence-based learning. You’ll learn from people on the front lines. The entire curriculum at Radford University at Carilion is evidence-based—our faculty teach things they did last night in the field because our entire faculty still works in emergency services.

students in masks and gloves handling medical equipment

“With small class sizes, you’ll have opportunities you just can’t get in other places. You’ll get lots of one-on-one time with the professors, and they’re not the kind of instructors that you only see once a week. When you ask for their help, they’re going to be there for whatever you need.”

De’anthony “DJ” Taylor '23

Ready to Study at Radford?

We want to get to know you better and we are excited that you are ready to take your next step and learn more about us. We are here to help you and look forward to working with you during your college search process.