EMT/Paramedic
Program Overview
The Jefferson College Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic programs offer rigorous classroom and practical training designed to prepare students for NREMT and National Certification exams. Delivered entirely in a traditional, in-person format, the curriculum emphasizes real-world application to ensure graduates are equipped to meet the rising demand for qualified emergency medical professionals.
LEVELS OF STUDY
EMT
Designed for individuals entering prehospital emergency medical services, this foundational, one-semester course prepares students to provide basic life support. The Jefferson College EMT curriculum exceeds both state and national education standards, ensuring comprehensive, high-quality preparation.
EMT Program Application Process:
- Step 1:(new students to Jeffco): Submit a formal Jefferson College Application.
- Step 2: Email par_emt_applications@jeffco.edu to request additional program details or express interest in applying.
Paramedic
The Paramedic program is a selective-admission, three-semester certificate or Associate of Applied Science program. The comprehensive curriculum combines 540 hours of classroom instruction with 650 hours of hands-on clinical internship, culminating in a self-paced capstone project. Upon completion, graduates also earn essential industry certifications, including ACLS, AMLS, CEVO, EPC, PALS, PHTLS, and TECC.T
Classes start every August and January. See below for more information regarding the Paramedic Program application.
- Step 1: (new students to Jeffco): Submit a formal Jefferson College Application.
- Step 2: Complete the Paramedic Application and email the application to par_emt_applications@jeffco.edu.
Applicants must submit all required materials in one complete email package. Incomplete applications or submissions spread across multiple emails will not be reviewed
Questions regarding the application process or the program can be sent to the EMT/Paramedic Advisor, Michael Gruzeski, at mgruzesk@jeffco.edu or the Director of the Paramedic Program, Brit Adams, at badams16@jeffco.edu.
Degree Information
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is designed for entry-level employment through practical and theoretical courses. Please see individual degree plans listed below for specific degree/certificate requirements.
The Academic Plan is a semester-by-semester plan for the full-time student. Part-time students should work with an advisor to customize the map to fit individual needs. View the Emergency Medical Technology/Paramedic Academic Plan.
Course Guides
Jefferson College Institutional Course Guides (ICGs) are found in the Simple Syllabus - Syllabus Library AND/OR within your Canvas class page via the Simple Syllabus link in the Course Navigation Menu.
Career Opportunities
EMTs and paramedics serve in a wide range of emergency-response and healthcare settings. Career opportunities include municipal, fire-based, hospital-based, private, and third-service ambulance agencies; fire departments; emergency departments; industrial and occupational health programs; event medicine; public-safety agencies; and other clinical or community-based environments. Depending on the employer and local scope of practice, paramedics may work alongside nurses and physicians in emergency departments, providing patient assessment, vascular access, medication administration, cardiac monitoring, resuscitation, and other emergency care.
With field experience, additional education, and specialty certification, paramedics may advance into critical care transport, flight medicine, community paramedicine, tactical EMS, wilderness or remote medicine, education, quality improvement, supervision, and EMS leadership. Critical care and flight paramedics manage high-acuity patients during ground or air transport, while community paramedics support chronic-disease management, preventive care, post-discharge follow-up, and connections to community resources. Wilderness and remote paramedics provide care in environments where access, equipment, transportation, and evacuation may be limited. Specialty roles may require additional clinical experience, employer-specific qualifications, and certifications beyond initial paramedic licensure.
Accreditation
The Jefferson College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355-113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
www.caahep.org
To contact CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
Phone: 214.703.8445
Fax: 214.703.8992
www.coaemsp.org
CAAHEP Accredited Paramedic Programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
- The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2025.
- The most recent success rate for the National Registry of EMT Paramedic/State Cognitive exam was 87.5%.
- The most recent positive placement rate for graduates was 88%. Positive placement is defined by the CoAEMSP as ‘Employed full or part-time in a related field and/or continuing his/her education and/or serving in the military’. Positive placement is measured at completion of the program. The most recent retention rate was 78.1%.
Paramedic Program Stats:
| Graduation Year | National Registry/ State Written Exam | Retention | Placement |
| 2025 | 87.5% | 78.1% | 88% |
| 2024 | 92.60% | 96.40% | 92.60% |
| 2023 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% | 91.70% | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% | 91.70% | 100% |
| 2020 | 57.90% | 91% | 68.40% |
Program Overview
Paramedic Program Changes Beginning Fall 2027
Beginning in Fall 2027, the Jefferson College Paramedic program will transition from a traditional semester-based schedule to defined program start and end dates. The program will be completed over approximately 11.5 months. This structure will provide students with greater scheduling flexibility, particularly when completing required clinical and field internship hours. New paramedic cohorts will begin each August and January.
Paramedic Application Dates
Paramedic cohorts begin each August and January. Applicants must submit a complete application by June 20 for an August start or November 20 for a January start. Both cohorts require attendance at a mandatory orientation, which is generally held in early August for the August cohort and early December for the January cohort.
Fall 2027 – Accepting applications through November 20th
Applications for the January 2027 Paramedic cohort must be submitted by the posted deadline of November 20. All required application materials must be combined and submitted as ONE complete PDF document in the following order: (1) completed Paramedic Application Packet, (2) copy of the applicant's valid driver's license, (3) copy of the applicant's current NREMT certification, and (4) copy of the applicant's current Missouri EMS license. Email the single completed PDF to par_emt_applications@jeffco.edu. Multiple files, incomplete packets, or materials submitted through separate emails may delay review and will not be considered a complete application.
Application Process
Please be advised the Paramedic Program will only accept electronically submitted applications for this year's application process. All completed applications must be emailed to par_emt_applications@jeffco.edu. Please ensure all application information is sent in ONE email to ensure all application material is received- DO NOT submit multiple emails with application information. Jefferson College Admissions will not be able to assist you with this process.
Course Applicant Requirements
EMT and Paramedic students must meet program requirements established by Jefferson College and its clinical and field internship partners. Unless otherwise directed by the program, the following requirements must be completed by the end of the second week of the student’s program. Failure to meet a requirement by the deadline may affect continued enrollment and eligibility for clinical or field experiences. All students will complete A Missouri Backgroud Check and Drug Screening as well as submit all immunications health documentation required by the program’s clinical and field internship partners. Failure to meet a requirement by the deadline may affect continued enrollment and eligibility for clinical or field experiences.
For the complete list of documentation, deadlines, and submission instructions, view the Student Application.
Paramedic_JeffcoApplication_Updated2027
Continuing Education
If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive information on upcoming classes or to inquire about specific class dates/costs, please email par_emt_applications@jeffco.edu
The following classes are currently being offered.
Students who successfully complete the applicable program requirements will earn the following certifications:
| EMT Program | Paramedic Program |
| • Basic Life Support (BLS) • *Emergency Vehicle Operator Safety (EVOS) | • Basic Life Support (BLS) or BLS Refresher • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) • Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) • Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC) • Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) • Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) • Emergency Vehicle Operator Safety (EVOS) |
*PHTLS is planned as optional courses for EMT students beginning January 2027. TCCC Tier 4 is planned for Paramedic students beginning August 2027. Course offerings are subject to instructor and program availability.
Licensure Requirements:
https://www.jeffco.edu/Professional-Licensure-Disclosure
As required by the federal regulations outlined in 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v), prior to enrollment in courses, applicants for programs that require professional certification or licensure in the State of Missouri are required to acknowledge the professional certification and licensure requirements in the state considered their permanent address.
If a student applies/intends to apply to a program requiring professional licensure, but the Jefferson College program does not meet the certification/licensure requirements in the student’s state of permanent address, the student must complete the attestation form prior to enrollment in courses indicating they plan to work in a state in which the Jefferson College program does meet the educational certification/licensure requirements. Students who do not complete the attestation will not be able to enroll in that program.
