Aerie Backcountry Medicine
Vitals
- GYA Accredited Since: Unaccredited by the GYA. Please see the Standards for more information.
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Enrolling:
Yes - Mission Statement:
Aerie is a Missoula, Montana-based organization, providing wilderness and front-country medical training to over 2,000 students a year in the United States, Mexico, Central America, Africa, and India. Aerie developed the Semester program to prepare students for careers in medicine while providing them with the skills and certifications necessary for competitive jobs in the outdoor field. Aerie offers three full Semester programs: Spring, in Costa Rica and Montana; Summer, in Montana; and Fall in Montana and the Indian Himalaya. All three Semesters offer 15 upper-division University of Montana credits, EMT and Wilderness EMT certification, and numerous other professional-level certifications.
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Level of Independence/Supervision (mouse-over for definition):
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Attachments
Program Locations
Typical Itinerary
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | |
|
W e e k 1 |
Arrival In Costa Rica | Program Orientation and travel to Rancho Mastral | EMT Curriculum | EMT Curriculum | EMT Curriculum | EMT Curriculum | EMT Curriculum |
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | |
|
W e e k 2 |
Day Off | Travel to Avalanche Course Flathead Valley, MT | Avalanche Recreation Level 1 | Avalanche Recreation Level 1 | Travel to Whitewater Rescue Institute Missoula, MT | Rope Technician/Swiftwater Rescue | Rope Technician/Swiftwater Rescue |
This is a sample of where the Spring Semester program will travel, it is not based on the real courses calendar. For example, students enrolled in the Spring Semester will be in Costa Rica for a month of EMT Curriculum, and clinical rotations where students practice assessing actual patients.
The Fall Semester will hold EMT training at the beautiful Jack Creek Preserve in Big Sky Montana and hold clinical rotations in India.
Program Outcomes
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (All Semesters)
- BLS CPR for the Healtchcare Provider, American Heart Association (All Semesters)
- Wilderness EMT, Aerie Backcountry Medicine (All Semesters)
- Rope Rescue Technician, Whitewater Rescue Institute (Fall and Spring)
- Incident Qualifications Card (Red Card), Aerie Backcountry Medicine (All Semesters)
- Recreation Avalanche Level 1 (Spring Only)
- Swiftwater Rescue Technician (Spring Only)
- Leave No Trace Trainer (Fall Only)
- 15 Upper-Division University of Montana credits
Each semester is unique in where they travel to and what they will focus on. All semesters share the common goal of creating job ready graduates to embark on their careers in both medicine and the highly competitive outdoor sector. If you are considering a career in medicine, ski patrolling, wildland fire, river guiding, or another rewarding outdoor profession then this is the semester for you!
Program Details
- Program Starts: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Program Duration: Semester
- Typical Program Cost: Spring Tuition: $17,000
- Program Financial Aid: Yes
- Other Financial Aid Details:
We offer instate and early enrollment discounts. We also will match Americorp awards up to $3000.
Staff Training and Certification
All Aerie instructors are skilled, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. They have experience in a wide variety of outdoor interests and professions, and have professional involvement in health care.