University of New Haven, Westchester Community College Create New Affiliation to Support Paramedicine Students

The University of New Haven and Westchester Community College (WCC) have announced a new transfer agreement that will enable WCC graduates to enroll in the University’s online or on-ground paramedicine degree completion program to earn a bachelor’s degree in paramedicine.

The agreement allows students with a National Registry Paramedic Certification who have graduated from WCC’s paramedic associate degree program to apply a maximum of 56 credits – plus six credits earned through their paramedic certification – to their bachelor’s degree at the University. The agreement, which is also available to international students, offers students a discounted rate per credit.

Located in Valhalla, NY, WCC is a public community college sponsored by Westchester County and the State University of New York. Through its School of Health Sciences, the University of New Haven also offers on-ground associate and bachelor’s degree programs in paramedicine.

“This is a great opportunity for Westchester Community College students who have their paramedic certification and associate degree to pursue their bachelor’s degree,” said Peter Struble MPA, director of the University’s Paramedicine Completion Program who served as a member of the Wallingford, Conn. Fire Department for over 27 years, including 13 years as chief.

“Students will be part of the School of Health Sciences in a fully accredited university, which will provide them with excellent opportunities, support, and academic advising,” continued Struble. “We have expertise and experience in the real-world setting and on the academic side.”

“Being located in one of the original epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., Westchester Community College and its students have played a critical role in responding to this health crisis,” said Dr. Belinda S. Miles, president of Westchester Community College. “This agreement enables our students to advance their studies in preparation for the first-responder roles they selflessly seek in order to serve our community. We value this partnership with the University of New Haven as a way for our students to earn the qualifications and skillset required for them to reach their career goals.”

A bachelor’s degree in paramedicine provides students a pathway to become certified nationally and licensed locally. It enables them to pursue career paths such as a physician’s assistant or in nursing, while opening doors for those who have significant experience as paramedics – including flight medics, who serve in helicopters – to advance in their field.

“There was always someone available if you needed help,” said Alicia Martin-Conyers ’20, a graduate of the University’s paramedicine program who is now a student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, an institution with which the University has an affiliation agreement.

Martin-Conyers, who aspires to become a physician assistant (PA) in a hospital as a surgical or OB/GYN PA, endeavors to help foster diversity in the field.

“I enjoyed the clinical rotations I had as a student,” she said. “These hours gave me a robust experience. This gave me a huge advantage over other college graduates.”

“I have the skills I will need to succeed in medical school,” added Natasha Pavlinetz ’20, another graduate of the University’s paramedicine program who has been accepted into the University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts. “The clinicals we did at the University of New Haven were amazing, and I expect the clinicals I have in medical school will be easier for me because of the experiences I had.”