The Emergency Medical Services program (EMDS) at the College of Applied Medical Sciences (COAMS) is the first Bachelor of Science program in Saudi Arabia that was started to train and qualify National Saudi Paramedics to meet international standards. The College adopted (with modifications) the Emergency Medical Services program of Flinders University, Australia. The program aims to address the significant gap in emergency healthcare manpower and establish a cutting-edge model for emergency medical services education. The curriculum is community-oriented and employs student-centered teaching and learning strategies such as Problem Based Learning (PBL). The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services program comprises four years of study followed by a one-year internship. During the internship, students will receive 12 months of practical training in a clinical setting. Program students will also actively participate in research, projects, and leadership activities that aim to enhance practice quality and promote evidence-based clinical practice.
College College of Applied Medical Sciences.
Campus Undergraduate
Degree BSc (Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services)
Gender Male & Female
Years of study 5 years (Includes Pre-Professional and Internship years)
Credit Hours 143
Language English
Phase I
Students from all Health Science Colleges attend the first four semesters together. The students are offered intensive English language courses throughout these semesters to strengthen their English language. This phase also introduces students to the basic concepts of general and medical science that are needed for higher-level education in the Health Sciences. Arabic language skills, Islamic values, and Medical ethics are also taught in the first semester. In the second semester, courses in Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics for health sciences are offered. In the second academic year, courses in Biochemistry, Behavioral Sciences, Biostatic and Introduction to Evidence-based Medicine, Computer Sciences, and Informatics are offered during the third semester. During the fourth semester, students study Anatomy and Physiology, Principles of Diseases, Basic Pharmacology, Medical Ethics, and Patient Safety and Health Profession Education. At this point, students also begin to take courses in their specialty area such as the Introduction to Occupational Therapy to the students of this program.
Phase II
This phase of the program is conducted at the College of Applied Medical Sciences. This two years’ study plan covers specialized course in the Emergency Medical services field such as; paramedic practice and communication, Foundation principles of medical and trauma emergencies related to paramedic practice. The human physiology by learning about the pathophysiology and abnormal function of all body systems. During these years, students are exposed to different clinical areas including emergency department especially adult, critical care and pediatrics care areas, operation rooms, labor and delivery rooms to do primary care for patients, starting from assessment, giving the appropriate medications, reassessments, and monitoring.
Emergency Medical Services Internship Program
The Emergency Medical Services Internship Program of the College of Applied Medical Sciences is a 12-month, full time program. It provides the necessary structure, guidance, and support to facilitate the development of each intern as he or she moves towards greater autonomy, and gains the skills, knowledge, and confidence to master increasingly complex tasks and decisions during the course of the training year. The program follows a Competency-Based Model of learning and skill acquisition structure. By the end of the internship year, interns are expected to be ready to function as autonomous Paramedic with advanced level of competency in all professional areas.
