In medical emergency situations, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are often the first responders who work to make sure people are safe and receiving proper care. Frequently working in life-or-death situations, their jobs are high-stakes and can be stressful, but they pay off with rewarding work and can lead to a variety of other career opportunities.
Those looking to begin their careers as EMTs or paramedics should start by exploring different degree and training options, and learning about the steps involved to become an emergency medical response professional.
Best Paramedic EMT Programs
As a paramedic student, you will develop an understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as being exposed to a variety of real-life training lessons. Each school offers something different, which is why we've gone through and sorted out which programs are the most effective, cost-friendly and meet other important criteria. Look below to find the best paramedic and EMT programs.
These rankings include
#1 Paramedic and EMT Training Programs
Creighton University
Omaha, NE - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Creighton University provides flexible study for students seeking bachelor's-level study. Learners can pursue remote coursework or learn from the college's campus in Omaha, Nebraska. Students connect with supportive faculty, colleagues, and other staff through in-person and online learning environments.
Learners across modalities benefit from a robust program curriculum. After enrolling, students complete coursework as part of the program curriculum.
Students can work with their academic advisor to modify their studies, select electives, and pursue additional coursework that suits their career goals. A leader in students success, the college connects enrollees with career services, academic advising, and other supportive resources.
The financial aid office can connect students with funding opportunities, to make the costs of college manageable. At Creighton University, 99% of all incoming students receive financial aid funding.
#2 Paramedic and EMT Training Programs
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
University of Maryland-Baltimore County supports a variety of undergraduate-level degree options. Undergraduate students benefit from hybrid learning opportunities, with the option to study in-person or online. At present, the college provides 55 bachelor's degree programs.
After enrollment, students join a supportive learning community, connecting with peers, faculty, and staff in-person and online. Students in the paramedic program complete industry-relevant coursework and attend lectures, gaining the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.
Learners can customize their studies, choose electives, and declare degree concentrations and minors. Learners further benefit from access to institutional resources, such as academic advising and career services.
Depending on eligibility, students can apply for scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities. The institution reports that 90% of all degree-seekers receive some form of financial aid.
#3 Paramedic and EMT Training Programs
Utah Valley University
Orem, UT - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Utah Valley University provides premier degree programs suitable for undergraduate students. The public college offers 91 bachelor's degree programs, nine of which are fully remote. Enrollees connect with peers, faculty, and staff, either through campus learning environments or in virtual classrooms.
Enrollees gain skills and knowledge suitable for their field of choosing through lectures, coursework, and other learning opportunities. Students can customize their studies by choosing electives and declaring minors and degree concentrations. Enrollees can receive further guidance through academic advising, career services, and other resources.
Prospective students can inquire with the financial aid office about funding opportunities, and explore their eligibility for scholarships, fellowships, and other aid. The college boasts an average financial aid award package of $4,332, with 74% of all enrollees receiving some form of aid.
#4 Paramedic and EMT Training Programs
Anna Maria College
Paxton, MA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Anna Maria College supports flexible educational opportunities for students near and far. Learners can choose from a variety of degree programs, either in person or online. According to the college, undergraduates can access 39 bachelor's degree programs on campus, or pursue remote study across two degree tracks.
Both in-person and online learners benefit from a supportive learning community. While enrolled, students complete general and paramedic-specific coursework. Participants take foundational classes, as well as advanced coursework, with the option to modify their schedule and choose electives.
Students can access institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising, throughout their studies.
To defray the costs of education, learners can apply for scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities. Of all enrollees, 100% receive some form of financial aid.
#5 Paramedic and EMT Training Programs
University of New Haven
West Haven, CT - 4 years
- Online + Campus
University of New Haven supports flexible educational opportunities for students near and far. A leader in hybrid education, the private college supports both in-person and online learning. Undergraduate students connect with peers, faculty, and staff through a supportive learning community.
The college connects students with peers, faculty, and staff across campus-based and remote learning communities. Students in the paramedic program build competency through rigorous coursework and industry-relevant lectures. Learners also have the option to pursue experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and research projects.
Students can declare minors, degree concentrations, and further customize their studies in consultation with an academic advisor. Learners can also meet with the financial aid office to determine their eligibility for scholarships and other educational funding. Of all enrollees, 99% receive some form of financial aid.
Paramedic/EMT Programs and Training
Paramedics and EMTs share many primary job duties, so the training for each career is similar. The main factor differentiating EMTs and paramedics is the amount of preparation, with paramedics receiving additional education. Programs vary in length depending on the credentials sought, but most programs are founded on basic EMT training courses. Lessons in anatomy and physiology, emergency first-response procedures, and ambulatory care are at the core of many public health and safety careers. From there, prospective paramedics and advanced EMTs take additional classes to build on their basic EMT training and prepare for more advanced first-responder duties.
Certificate and degree programs for EMTs and paramedics are available at career and technical schools as well as community colleges. Prospective students can learn more about each pathway to determine which type of EMT and paramedic training best suits them.
Career and Technical School/Community College
3 months - 2 years
Certificate | Diploma | Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Both community colleges and career and technical schools offer paramedic and EMT training designed to prepare students to offer life support procedures to patients in emergency situations, and to qualify them for the certification they need to enter the field. Career and technical schools tend to focus primarily on hands-on skills and professional certification requirements, whereas community colleges will build on those fundamental skills and offer additional education as students pursue an associate degree. In either case, students need a high school diploma or equivalent, and CPR certification before being admitted.
Both community colleges and technical schools may offer a combination of lecture courses in topics like medical terminology and anatomy, as well as practical courses that help students understand real-life emergency procedures, like trauma management. EMT students often have to complete an internship or practicum as part of their coursework. Students seeking additional education to become advanced EMTs or paramedics may have to participate in multiple internships throughout their studies to expand on their skills. Students in a degree program at a community college can also expect to take a number of general education classes to fulfill graduation requirements.
Looking at individual courses and requirements for EMT and paramedic programs can help students figure out which route is more tailored to their interests and professional goals, but in general, they can expect to take classes that cover the following areas:
Sample Courses for EMT Programs:
An overview of the roles and responsibilities of an EMT. Students learn about the field of emergency medical services, including topics such as major incident response, blood-borne pathogens, hazardous materials and stress management.Introduction to Emergency Medical Services
The study and application of medical terms and vocabulary, including an examination of root words, suffixes, prefixes, spelling, pronunciation and structure.Medical Terminology
An introduction to basic anatomical and physiological terms. Students will learn about various body systems, including circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems.Anatomy and Physiology
An examination of procedures used in emergency response. The class can be repeated to improve proficiency.Emergency Procedures
Students who choose to build on their EMT educations and pursue advanced emergency responder training may find themselves taking courses like these:
Sample Courses for Advanced Training
An examination of drugs, their applications and classifications. Students will learn about the uses of drugs and how to administer them in emergency medical settings, as well as their adverse effects.Emergency Pharmacology
The study and practice of special techniques used in the emergency care of different patient groups, like geriatric or pediatric populations.Special Populations
A combination of lectures and lab time focused on treating patients with cardiovascular emergencies. ECG (also called EKG) monitoring, heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, and drug therapies will be addressed.Cardiovascular Emergencies
A supervised practice of life support techniques. Students begin by observing trained paramedics, and proceed to working as a team member in order to develop skills and knowledge.Paramedic Internships
Timeline to a Career as a Paramedic/EMT
While there is no single path toward becoming an EMT or paramedic, there are some steps that most professionals need to take in order to have a successful career with room for advancement.
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1
Get a high school diploma or its equivalent
All paramedic and EMT training programs require students to be high school graduates.
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2
Become CPR certified
EMT and paramedic programs also require students to be certified in CPR. Often, students can find CPR programs at the same institution they plan to attend for EMT training.
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3
Research and apply for schools
During their research, students should make sure they meet all program requirements. EMT and paramedic programs often require specific immunizations, criminal background checks, or uniform purchases. Students should also be sure their program of choice is accredited.
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4
Complete EMT training and become certified
After completing their EMT training courses, students can sit for the certification exam given by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). NREMT has certification exams that correspond to different levels of proficiency, including emergency medical responders, EMTs, advanced EMTs and paramedics. Before starting their careers, students also need to become licensed in their state. Many states use NREMT certification for licensure, but students should double-check the licensure requirements where they live.
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5
Advance your education
After earning basic EMT status, build your skills by becoming an advanced EMT or paramedic, or pursue a higher-level academic degree. More education opens up students to greater variety in their work, more career options, and higher wages.
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6
Stay current on training requirements
Refresher courses in CPR and other EMT duties are required to maintain licensure. EMTs and paramedics must meet continuing education requirements every two years in order to remain certified.
Paramedic/EMT Careers At-a-Glance
EMTs and paramedics are on the front lines in extreme situations, meaning they must remain calm, and make considered—but quick—decisions under pressure to ensure patients get timely, proper treatment. EMTs and paramedics typically work together in teams, with a paramedic having the additional experience and training to act as the team leader, make higher-level decisions, and perform more advanced procedures. Although most EMTs and paramedics work on ambulance crews, it's not the only path to employment. EMTs and paramedics may also work at hospitals, or at sites where established medical care is not easily available, such as cruise ships or remote job sites.
Paramedic and EMT: Career Basics
Many paramedics begin their careers as EMTs, getting the basic training that will prepare them to pursue a variety of medical and emergency response careers. EMTs provide immediate care at emergency scenes, like car accidents or house fires, and may continue treating patients during transport to a hospital. EMTs assess patients' conditions, perform CPR, and treat wounds. While EMTs are trained in oxygen administration, they generally are not allowed to administer drugs or provide treatment that breaks the skin, with the exception of auto-injecting allergy medications.Paramedic and EMT: In Depth
Paramedics and advanced EMTs can perform all of the same tasks as entry-level EMTs, but additional training broadens their scope of practice, allowing them to provide more advanced first-response care to patients. Advanced EMTs may learn how to administer fluids and some medications, for instance. Paramedics take these skills even further and are able to administer intravenous and oral medications, monitor and regulate cardiovascular conditions, and perform resuscitation and support techniques on patients experiencing severe medical emergencies, like heart attacks. In order to accurately carry out these duties, paramedics need in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, cardiology and medications.
Paramedic/EMT Career and Salary Outlook
EMTs and paramedics are in high demand. Employment for these occupations is expected to grow by 24 percent between 2014 and 2024 – more than three times faster than the national average for all careers. One reason is that medical facilities that specialize in the treatment of specific conditions are becoming more popular, so more EMTs and paramedics are needed to transport patients to different locations. In addition, the country's aging population needs additional health services, further increasing the need for well-trained emergency medical professionals. In 2014, nearly half of all EMTs and paramedics worked in ambulance services, but local governments and hospitals were also among the field's top employers.
| Industry | Total Employment (May 2015) | Mean Hourly Wage (May 2015) | Annual Mean Wage (May 2015) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 114,600 | $15.65 | $32,550 |
| Local Government | 66,430 | $18.75 | $39,000 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 40,620 | $17.65 | $36,700 |
| Other Support Services | 2,270 | $17.81 | $37,050 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 1,770 | $18.26 | $37,970 |
*Excludes health practitioner offices, home health care services, outpatient care centers and medical and diagnostic laboratories.
Top 5 States with the Highest Concentration of Paramedics/EMTS:
- Delaware: 1,460
- West Virginia: 2,360
- Maine: 1,640
- South Carolina: 5, 130
- Kentucky: 4,560
Top 5 States with the Highest Number of Paramedics/EMTS:
- Texas: 18270
- California: 16720
- New York: 14250
- Pennsylvania: 12320
- Illinois: 12060
Highest-Paying States for Paramedics/EMTS:
- District of Columbia: $59,010
- Washington: $58,370
- Alaska: $54,000
- Connecticut: $46,220
- Nevada: $44,320
Source: BLS.gov
Certifications and Salary Boosters
Beyond state licensure and certification from the NREMT, paramedics and EMTs can become certified in various specialties that can increase their salaries and lead to more job opportunities. Here are a few optional certifications that paramedics and EMTs can earn through the Board for Critical Care Transport Certification (BCCTPC).
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Certified Critical Care Paramedic
Designed for experienced paramedics. Those who apply must take an exam to prove their knowledge in paramedicine, as well as pre-hospital, inter-hospital and hospital patient care.
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Certified Tactical Paramedic
A certification for tactical paramedics, who are specially trained to provide emergency medical services for law enforcing agencies, like SWAT, in hostile or high-stakes environments.
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Certified Community Paramedic
Community paramedics adapt their services to better provide emergency treatment to medically underserved communities.
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Certified Flight Paramedic
Experienced paramedics who are part of flight or critical care transport teams can apply for this certification. Applicants must pass an exam that demonstrates advanced knowledge of flight medic practices.
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Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT)
EMTs who want to work in wilderness environments can take an intensive Wilderness EMT course offered by the Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI). Those who complete the course successfully will earn a WEMT certification from the WMI and will be prepared to take the NREMT certification exam.
Additional Resources
This guide is a good starting point for those interested in becoming EMTs or paramedics, but prospective students can also check out these resources for more information on certification, education and careers in emergency medical services.