Paramedic (Certificate)

Emergency Medical Service Technology Program

The Emergency Medical Services Technology Program is designed to prepare the student to become a competent entry-level Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and/or Paramedic. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

The EMS certificate programs (EMT and Paramedic) are limited admission, requiring completion of the Application for EMS Programs, and acceptance into the program by the College EMS department. The Associate in Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services Technology consists of three sequential components. Successful completion of each component will fulfill requirements for the affiliated Florida State certification. Students looking to continue their education will be eligible for admission into the Florida SouthWestern State College Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Public Safety Administration.

The Paramedic program is an online application process. You can only apply online via the "Apply Now" link below starting March 1st, 2024.

Prior to applying to the EMT/Paramedic Certificate Program:

  1. If you are not a current Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) student, you need to apply for admission to FSW.
  2. You also need to either take the FSW placement test or be exempt from taking this placement test.

NOTE: You must be 18 years old to apply to the Paramedic Program. Florida EMT certification must be obtained prior to completion of phase one of the paramedic program. The deadline for students starting Fall 2024 is December 4, 2024.

Paramedic Online Application Acceptance Dates

Applications will be accepted from March 1st until May 31st (or at program capacity).

The Paramedic Program is four (4) semesters long (16 months) and is a limited access program. Acceptance into the Paramedic Program is a competitive selection process based on a Professional Interview score, BLS skill demonstration, and writing sample. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis beginning the first week of April. Paramedic applicants should be prepared to successfully demonstrate any of the BLS skills specified in the National EMS Education standards for EMTs.

We will offer two (2) location/schedule options:

  1. Lee Campus: classes will be held on Tuesdays & Thursdays
  2. Satellite Campus at North Collier Fire Training Center located at Station #45: Classes will be held as shift-friendly. Please view the schedule here

Accreditation

The Florida SouthWestern State College Paramedic Program 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 Programs

25400 US Highway 19, North, Suite 158

Clearwater, FL 33763

www.caahep.org

To Contact CoAEMSP:

8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312

Rowlett, TX 75088

214.703.8445

www.coaemsp.org

The Paramedic Program is approved by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

EMT and Paramedic Graduate Average Earnings

Please review the most current salary information on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Paramedic Program Outcomes

Information on the Paramedic Program graduation rates, retention, and state exam statistics: Paramedic Program Effectiveness Data (PDF).

Paramedic Certificate 42 credit hours

Florida EMT Certification is required for admission into this program

The Paramedic Certificate Program is designed to prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels. The program is four semesters and 42 college credit hours in length (in addition the EMT certification). Estimated program costs are $9,100 for Florida residents and $23,000 for non-Florida residents. This includes tuition, lab fees, textbooks, uniforms, insurance and equipment. Visit the financial aid web page for more information. Additional costs include required uniforms, a stethoscope, and professional liability insurance. Students must also provide transportation to clinical and field experiences.

During the Paramedic Certificate Program, students will be required to complete a rotation in an Operating Room with a local hospital. This rotation is in addition to scheduled class/ laboratory/clinical/internship hours. To be eligible to sit for the Florida Paramedic exam, the student must be currently certified as a Florida EMT and successfully complete the Paramedic Certificate Program.

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement is any process where a program formally recognizes prior learning of a student and applies that recognition toward meeting the program requirements.

The Florida SouthWestern State College Paramedic Certificate Program, Emergency Medical Technical Certificate Program, and the A.S. Emergency Medical Services Program does not participate in the process of Advanced Placement.

Program Contact Information

For any additional program information, email us at EMS.Fire@fsw.edu

Program Contact: Michael Knoop EMS Support Specialist Email michael.knoop@fsw.edu Phone (239) 985-3495