Ambulance district, WWU sign education agreement

4/4/2012 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

Graduates of the Callaway County Ambulance District's paramedic program can further their education at William Woods University under a new agreement.

The agreement will provide 28 hours of college credit to individuals who graduate from CCAD's program after Feb. 1, 2012, and are admitted to WWU as either part-time for full-time students.
 
These credits count as 13 hours of general education credits and 15 hours of elective credits. Students can choose to pursue any of WWU's majors.
 
Dr. Tom Frankman, transfer coordinator, is happy to provide an opportunity to graduates of the intensive training program.
 
"It certainly helps individuals in the community," he said. "It recognizes the training and work they have done and gives them opportunity to do the college work close to their county."
 
According to Kelly Drennan, training officer, the agreement will greatly benefit graduates of the program, as it will become not only a certification, but also the stepping-stone toward a possible university degree.
 
Drennan explained that without the agreement, paramedic program graduates who decided to pursue a university education would have to start from square one. Through this agreement with WWU, however, CCAD has ensured that students won't have to do that.
 
The paramedic certification program is a rigorous program that requires many hours in the classroom and out in the field.
 
"It's very labor intensive ... and its great that WWU agreed to this because we're both located here and it helps us and I think, in the long run, it will benefit WWU and the students as well," Drennan said.