Post job

Emergency medicine specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an emergency medicine specialist. Emergency medicine specialists usually study physician assistant, biology, or medicine. 54% of emergency medicine specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 32% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 381 real emergency medicine specialist resumes to see exactly what emergency medicine specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for emergency medicine specialists are the Butler University and the Butler University.

There are also many online emergency medicine specialist courses to help get the education required to be an emergency medicine specialist.

There are certain emergency medicine specialist certifications that you should consider. These emergency medicine specialist certifications include Physician Assistant - Certified (PA-C) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

What education do you need to become an emergency medicine specialist?

What degree do you need to be an emergency medicine specialist?

The most common degree for emergency medicine specialists is bachelor's degree, with 54% of emergency medicine specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 32% and master's degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 54%
  • Master's, 32%
  • Doctorate, 7%
  • Associate, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become an emergency medicine specialist?

You should major in physician assistant to become an emergency medicine specialist. 38% of emergency medicine specialists major in physician assistant. Other common majors for an emergency medicine specialist include biology and medicine.

Most common colleges for emergency medicine specialists

Emergency medicine specialists often get their degrees at Butler University, University of Florida, and University of Central Florida. Here are the most common colleges for emergency medicine specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Emergency medicine specialist common collegePercentages
Butler University10.39%
University of Florida9.09%
University of Central Florida7.79%
Drexel University5.19%
Saint Louis University5.19%

Best majors for emergency medicine specialists

Best colleges for emergency medicine specialists

The best colleges for emergency medicine specialists are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Vanderbilt University.

An emergency medicine specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for emergency medicine specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become emergency medicine specialists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

2. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

5. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Enrollment

58,392

6. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

8. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Enrollment

31,321

9. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$53,909

Enrollment

6,348

10. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

20 best online courses for emergency medicine specialists

Advertising disclosure

1. Trauma Emergencies and Care

coursera

Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center. Then we will dive into specific injuries based on what part of the body...

2. Medical Emergencies: CPR, Toxicology, and Wilderness

coursera

In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: (1) Identify the signs and symptoms associated with a patient in shock, to describe the major categories of shock, to assess a patient with signs of shock and formulate a plan for treatment to stabilize the patient for transport, (2) Identify a patient in cardiac arrest and to describe the components of high performance CPR...

3. Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Advanced Diploma

udemy
4.3
(1,105)

A complete program in one course, This Diploma is an Encyclopedia in The Natural Medicine field...

4. Introduction to Longevity Medicine

udemy
4.4
(344)

A Medical Guide to Longevity Medicine for Physicians...

5. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale

coursera

Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...

6. Traditional herbal medicine in supportive cancer care: From alternative to integrative

coursera

Please join us for an exciting and innovative journey, examining one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of the oncology setting: Traditional Herbal Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care. This course is presented with short lectures offering a wide range of issues related to the principles and practice of herbal medicine in cancer care. The course includes interviews with leading world experts from the field of Integrative Oncology, from the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe, the...

7. Doctor of Natural Medicine

udemy
4.4
(624)

This course is a mini encyclopedia in natural medicine field...

8. Herbalism:: Growing Top Medicinal Plants Certificate

udemy
4.8
(687)

Growing your own herbal medicine is easy and allows you to have quick access to medicinal plants when you need them...

9. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

coursera

In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) assess a basic medical patient 2) describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration, 3) explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway and available interventions for airway management, 4) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a...

10. Emergency Care: Pregnancy, Infants, and Children

coursera

Welcome to the final course of lectures in your quest to master EMT basics. In this course, we will cover some of the highest-stress patient populations: pregnant patients and kids, also known as pediatrics. To wrap up your EMT knowledge we will end this course with information about hazmat situations, extricating patients from tight spots and finally how you write a note about your patient care. You will learn to ensure it communicates what your assessment of the patient was, what...

11. Herbalism:: Medicinal Mushrooms Certificate

udemy
4.4
(429)

Learn the top mushrooms used in holistic and natural medicine that are most effective, safe and easily available...

12. Herbalism:: Introduction & Medicine Making Certificate

udemy
4.7
(13,479)

Take charge of your health with herbal medicine. Using herbs and natural holistic medicine is easy, effective and safe...

13. Everyday Chinese Medicine

coursera

This course aims to serve as an education platform on Chinese medicine (CM) for the general public. Our primary goal is to empower healthcare choices by promoting awareness and practical application on CM diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as well as regulation on CM services and herbal products using international examples. In the first part of this course, learners will develop skills in applying basic theory of Chinese medicine (CM) for understanding health and illnesses, and be able to...

14. Case Studies in Personalized Medicine

coursera

Learn how advances in biomedicine hold the potential to revolutionize drug development, drug treatments, and disease prevention: where are we now, and what does the future hold? This course will present short primers in genetics and mechanisms underlying variability in drug responses. A series of case studies will be used to illustrate principles of how genetics are being brought to bear on refining diagnoses and on personalizing treatment in rare and common diseases. The ethical and...

15. Herbalism:: Medicinal Kitchen Herbs & Spices Certificate

udemy
4.8
(1,168)

Discover how common kitchen herbs and spices are used as herbal medicine and natural medicine for ultimate health...

16. Personal Emergency Planning (Coronavirus - COVID-19 Edition)

udemy
4.5
(1,490)

Learn how to prepare for and respond to all the different kinds of emergencies that could befall you including COVID-19...

17. Health in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies

coursera

The Center for Humanitarian Emergencies is a partnership between CDC's Emergency Response and Recovery Branch and the Rollins School of Public Health that drives global collaboration, research and evidence based training to improve the lives and well-being of populations impacted by humanitarian emergencies. - Center for Humanitarian Emergencies: http://www.che.emory.edu/ - CDC's Emergency Response and Recovery Branch: http://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/healthprotection/errb/index.html This course...

18. COVID-19 Training for Healthcare Workers

coursera

COVID-19 is rapidly spreading across the globe and all providers must be prepared to recognize, stabilize and treat patients with novel coronavirus infection. Following completion of this short course physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals will have a unified, evidenced-based approach to saving the lives of patients with COVID-19, including those who are critically ill. Learning modules are broken into short videos presented in a richly illustrated and compelling manner. The...

19. Herbalism:: Identify & Harvest Medicinal Plants Certificate

udemy
4.8
(2,299)

Identify, harvest and use easy to find herbs from the wild that are commonly used in herbal, holistic, natural medicine...

20. Introduction to Dental Medicine

coursera

The mouth is the window into human health. This course provides an overview of dental medicine to engage, educate, excite and assist you in improving the oral health of your patients and members of your community. We will review topics in dental medicine including scope of the field, what to expect in function, and some of the many ways that dysfunction may present for different patients. This will include discussions of mouth, jaw, and tooth anatomy, pathology, and treatment. We will talk...

Top 10 most affordable universities for emergency medicine specialists

The most affordable schools for emergency medicine specialists are University of Florida, university of south florida, and california state university - los angeles.

If the best universities for emergency medicine specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for emergency medicine specialists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

3. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

6. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

9. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

10. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for emergency medicine specialists

The hardest universities for emergency medicine specialists to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for emergency medicine specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for emergency medicine specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

6. University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,365

7. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

8. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

10. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,367

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for emergency medicine specialists

The easiest schools for emergency medicine specialists to get into are AdventHealth University, university of the incarnate word, and saint joseph's college of maine.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an emergency medicine specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for emergency medicine specialists.

1. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

4. Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Canton, OH • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,085

5. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

6. Rochester University

Rochester Hills, MI • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,002

7. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

8. American International College

Springfield, MA • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

1,010

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden

Camden, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,086

Average emergency medicine specialist salary by education level

Emergency medicine specialist education levelEmergency medicine specialist salary
Doctorate Degree$179,238

Emergency medicine specialist education FAQs

Search for emergency medicine specialist jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs