Lance Villers, Ph.D., LP, associate professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Health Sciences, said the all-online format of the degree challenges faculty to employ new technology to engage and motivate students.
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One of the best ways firefighters and emergency medical technicians can advance their careers is to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Although 14 schools in the United States offer bachelor’s degrees for those in the emergency medicine field, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is one of only a few that offer a bachelor’s completion degree online, said Lance Villers, Ph.D., LP, associate professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Health Sciences (EHS).

The program, part of the School of Health Professions, has nearly 100 students enrolled this spring from throughout the United States. “We have students from San Antonio, other places in Texas, Louisiana and New York, and even some serving in the military in Saudi Arabia,” Dr. Villers said.

The two-year program began in 2001, with the first eight students graduating in 2003. “Our goal is to give people an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in a field they are already interested in. They don’t have to go into nursing or physician assistant studies to earn a bachelor’s degree,” Dr. Villers said.

“You need a basic paramedic certificate to work in this field,” Dr. Villers explained. “Fifty-five colleges in Texas offer an associate’s degree that enhances the basic information. Ours is a national program that builds on that and offers more in-depth knowledge of diseases and drugs, leadership development, situation and personnel management, and educational skills.

Degree offers career advancement and opportunities in other health-related fields
“Having a bachelor’s degree makes our students more valuable employees. Many fire departments raise their monthly salary because of their degree. Plus, with their advanced knowledge, they are often eligible for promotion,” Villers explained.

“Some use their degree to provide training in their department and others go on to other careers, such as physician assistant or medicine,” Dr. Villers added.

San Antonio Paramedic Michael Sippel liked the upper-level science classes he hopes will prepare him to enter medical school.

Upcoming EHS graduate hopes to enter medical school
On such student is San Antonio Paramedic Michael Sippel, 23, who plans to apply to medical school after graduation in May. He began the EHS program after becoming a paramedic and has already completed the requirements for his bachelor’s degree. Now he is working on the prerequisite courses for medical school.

“What appealed to me is that I now have upper-level science classes that are directly related to medicine, such as pharmacology and pathophysiology. The degree also has courses related to business that will be helpful when I’m ready to enter private practice,” Sippel said.

Online degree offers flexibility, but requires dedication
Offering the degree completely online makes it possible for students to earn their bachelor's working full time and at their own pace. “Fire departments don’t have to send their personnel over here for classes. Students can study while they are on duty at the fire station,” Dr. Villers said.

The course incorporates a wide range of technology, such as podcasts on major themes and topics. Wikis and blogs allow students to converse and add input, creating a community of learners. The five faculty members record lectures disseminated to their students through Blackboard.

“Using different forms of technology challenge us as faculty members to know what the latest and best technology is. We’re not just teachers anymore, we’re producers of content,” Dr. Villers said. The different approaches also cater to different learning styles. “Students still have to be sufficiently motivated and dedicate time, just like in a regular classroom. This is not easier, it’s just more convenient,” he said.

Sippel added: “The most important thing I noticed in the process of completing this degree was that I became a more knowledgeable health care provider. The overall goal of any health care worker is to improve the quality of care for our patients, and this degree gave me the tools to do that. The knowledge I gained from completing my EHS degree has helped me tremendously in my career and has undoubtedly given me the foundation I need to one day become a great doctor.”