Need based scholarships are available. They cover the tuition for the course, but do not cover travel costs or other expenses you may come up against during the course. You can access the application here.

Take your next step to medical school (or nursing, PA, dental, vet school!) while learning about and earning a certificate in wilderness and emergency medicine.  Join pre-health students from across the country to learn right on the beach.

Escape the on-line drudgery and generic, sometimes brutal, pre-health curriculum for authentic hands-on learning that can make a real difference.  Whether you are interested in emergency medicine, humanitarian relief work, disaster medicine, global health, rural medicine, or backcountry first aid, you will learn a ton while earning certifications in Wilderness First Responder and CPR.  Learn, earn, and have fun!

Taught by University of Colorado School of Medicine faculty, these classes are an exciting, hands-on introduction to emergency and wilderness medicine, as well as a backstage pass to the med school application process and a career in health care. You will work hard, learn a ton, have a blast, and make new friends from across the country.  Scroll down for more course information and to register for a class today.

Earn CPR and Wilderness First Responder certifications (EMTs earn a Wilderness EMT bridge certificate) from the University of Colorado School of Medicine

Undergrad college students and grads from any college or university, as well as gap year students, are encouraged to enroll!  No experience or pre-reqs required.

Upcoming California Courses

On-Line Modules
Dive in to the fascinating world of austere and wilderness medicine with a series of interactive on-line modules.  Whether you aren’t sure what kind of medicine interests you, or you already have an interest in disaster medicine, global health, rural medicine, humanitarian relief efforts, or straight up wilderness medicine, you’ll enjoy learning at your own pace about a whole new world of medicine.  Learn about subjects such as patient assessment, trauma and shock, lightning, hypothermia, and much, much more.  The dozen plus modules, covering about 24 hours of study, include state of the art content, case studies, interactive questionnaires, video links, and quizzes.

In-Person Learning
Setting: Morro Strand State Beach and its surroundings encompass an area of wild beauty, highlighted by sandy Pacific beaches and spectacular Morro Rock. The Park and campground are a sandy paradise where we’ll listen to the waves crash as we learn about wilderness medicine, hike, and enjoy the marine environment. Morro Strand State Beach is just north of San Luis Obispo, California.

Accommodations and Needed Gear
Students and instructional staff will be camping at shared campsites right off the beach. The state campground has running water, picnic tables, and restrooms. Showers are available at a nearby state park (car needed to access). All Park costs including entrance and camping fees are covered.

Students are responsible for their own camping gear including sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and tent. All are available to rent (Tent: solo $40, shared $25; Sleeping bag: $25; Sleeping pad: $10). Students will also need to bring cup, bowl, plate, and eating utensils, a day pack, and watch with second hand.

Food and meals
Food and meals are included in the cost of the class (starting with lunch on March 21 and concluding with lunch on the March 26. Meals will be cooked on site by participants using camp stoves and fires. Food provided will be both plentiful and healthy with vegetarian, kosher/halal, and vegan options. Kitchen and cooking equipment and supplies (pots, pans, stoves, fuel, etc.) are provided

COVID-19 safety precautions
We will be following all COVID-19 safety protocols of the State of California and the Colorado School of Medicine current at the time of the class.