Fire and Paramedic Science Department
Dr. Jack Beckerle, Chair
The Fire and Paramedic Science (FPS) degree program at Lindenwood University is designed to prepare students for a career as a paramedic and/or a fire fighter. The FPS degree programs provide para-medicine technology, along with management and leadership skills.
Students seeking to major in fire and paramedic science will complete between 39 to 48 credit hours in directed studies in paramedic technology (depending upon whether the student already has an EMT-B license) plus a minimum of 10-12 credit hours of specific general education science courses listed below and 6 credit hours of mathematics at the level of MTH 12100 or above. In addition each student will complete 21 credit hours as an emphasis as part of the core curriculum. The St. Charles Fire Academy (FPS 37000) is available to students as an elective. (This course requires a lab fee.) This degree program requires that each student earn a grade of C or better in science courses, paramedic core requirements, and fire academy courses in order to obtain the Bachelor of Science.
Additional non-academic requirements include obtaining CPR certification from either the St. Charles County Ambulance District, American Heart Association "Healthcare Provider CPR" or the Red Cross "CPRIAED for the Professional Rescuer" prior to start of the EMT-B or EMT-P courses. Students must also pass a criminal background check, a drug screening (must be passed the first time), and a physical examination indicating ability to meet the functional job requirements for a paramedic or firefighter and have the appropriate immunizations.
Note: EMT-Basic and EMT-Paramedic training course semesters run longer than regular LU semesters: EMT-Basic is 19 weeks; fall Paramedic semester is 18 weeks; spring semester is 20 weeks; and summer semester is 15 weeks.