Essential Information
Students can find EMT training programs at many 2 and 4-year schools throughout Colorado. All approved programs include lecture, laboratory and clinical experience components and most result in a certificate or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Some courses are available online. In addition to the standard programs, some schools also offer bridge programs or refresher courses for people with previous experience in the field.
There are four recognized levels of EMT in Colorado: EMT (also called EMT-Basic), Advanced EMT, EMT-Intermediate and Paramedic (also called EMT-Paramedic). Eleven of Colorado's largest approved postsecondary schools are described below, along with a table including the levels of EMT programs offered and tuition information.
Aims Community College
Located about 50 miles north of Denver in Greely, Aims Community College offers students EMT education at the responder, basic, intermediate and paramedic levels. Aims also offers specialized certificate courses in EKG, phlebotomy and gerontology. Paramedic students have the option of completing a certificate or an AAS in EMT-Paramedic degree, both of which are accredited by CAAHEP. Bridge programs are available for those with intermediate certification to train to achieve paramedic-level certification and for registered nurses who wish to train to become paramedics. EMT classes are held at the Greely campus, which has a mock ambulance and simulation mannequins, and at the Eaton Fire Department.
Arapahoe Community College
Littleton-based Arapahoe Community College offers a 10-credit EMT Certificate and a 27-credit EMT-Enhanced Certificate, both of which train students for EMT-Basic NREMT certification. Additionally, this school offers a safety course for EMTs that respond to emergencies involving electric or hybrid vehicles. Arapahoe also offers a CAAHEP-accredited certificate for paramedics and an AAS in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) - Paramedicine in conjunction with HealthONE EMS, which is located in Englewood. Students receive a degree from Arapahoe Community College but HealthONE is the Colorado-approved agency administering Arapahoe's paramedic programs.
Colorado Mesa University
This university located in the western Colorado town of Grand Junction is the only university in Colorado that offers EMT programs. Students at Colorado Mesa University (CMU) can complete a 3-course technical certificate to train for EMT-Basic certification. CMU also offers a CAAHEP-accredited EMT-Paramedic Certificate and an AAS in EMT-Paramedic. The Health Sciences Clinical Education Center at CMU includes simulation labs where future EMTs can practice emergency scenarios.
Colorado Mountain College
Colorado Mountain College (CMC) is a multi-campus school with central offices in Glenwood Springs. The 12-credit EMT-Basic program is offered at ten of the school's locations, including Breckenridge, Glenwood Springs, Leadville and Steamboat Springs. The 17-credit EMT-Intermediate Certificate is also offered at these four locations. Students interested in earning the CAAHEP-accredited EMT-Paramedic Certificate can do so through online lectures and at laboratory courses at CMC's Edwards Campus. This school also offers a ccertification in wilderness emergency medical services for EMTs interested in working in remote areas.
Community College of Aurora
The main campus of Aurora Community College is located just east of Denver, but EMT students take classes at the school's high-tech Center for Simulation in Denver. The center includes indoor and outdoor facilities that allow students to practice for different types of emergencies. Aurora students can earn an EMT-Basic Certificate, a CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic Certificate or an accredited AAS in Paramedicine degree.
Community College of Denver
The Community College of Denver (CCD) offers an EMT-Basic Certificate in partnership with Denver Health Paramedic Division - EMS Education. EMT refresher courses are also available through this partnership. Students enrolled at CCD can take advantage of the resume and interview preparation services offered through the on-campus Career Development Center.
The degree program offered is an additional 4 semesters to the EMT-Basic and includes courses in communication, pharmacology, human disease and ethics. The program prepares the students for the Advanced EMT certification exam.and an Associate in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services. The EMT Certificate includes courses in EMT fundamentals, medical emergencies and trauma emergencies. A clinical experience is also required.
The degree program offered is an additional 4 semesters to the EMT-Basic and includes courses in communication, pharmacology, human disease and ethics. The program prepares the students for the Advanced EMT certification exam.
Front Range Community College
Front Range Community College is Colorado's largest community college and offers EMT-Basic programs at its Boulder County campus in Longmont, and at its Larimer and Westminster campuses. Front Range also offers a Pre-paramedic Certificate option, which takes two semesters to complete. EMT students gain hands-on experience through clinical internships. Educational resources available to EMT students include high-tech mannequins and a cadaver lab at the Larimer campus.
Morgan Community College
Located in Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College (MCC) offers an EMT-Basic Certificate program that is separated into four courses. Students can also complete a 15-credit EMT-Intermediate Certificate program, an 11-credit Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Certificate program and refresher courses. MCC's emergency medical services education programs are supported by the Eastern Colorado Health Occupations (ECHO) Network, which in 2012 provided over $20,000 in EMS equipment to the school.
Pikes Peak Community College
In Colorado Springs, students can complete certificate programs emergency medical responder course,an EMT certificate, a paramedicine certificate and a AAS in paramedicine at Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC). The paramedic programs are accredited by CAAHEP. Student resources at PPCC include a National Association for the Education of Young Children-accredited childcare center.
Pueblo Community College
Students at Pueblo Community College can complete a CAAHEP-accredited AAS in Emergency Medical Services or Paramedic Certificate program. Pueblo also offers certificate programs in EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate. EMT programs are also available at Pueblo's Fremont campus in Canon City and at Southwest Colorado Community College, which is a part of Pueblo Community College, in Durango and Mancos.
Red Rocks Community College
West of Denver in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) offers an EMT-Basic and an Advanced EMT Certificate program. A Paramedic Certificate program is also currently available, but it is not CAAHEP accredited and thus this program may not fully prepare students to become certified paramedics in Colorado. Students who have completed the EMT-Basic program at RRCC can enroll in the St. Anthony Hospitals' AAS in Paramedicine, which is CAAHEP accredited. Red Rocks students have access to the learning commons, which has computers and meeting space available for tutoring or meetings.
Career Requirements
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Colorado must be at least 18 years old and must complete education and training from Colorado-approved programs. Colorado EMTs must also complete certification requirements for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) before they can apply for state certification. Additionally, students seeking paramedic certification from NREMT must complete a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
School Comparison: At a Glance
| School Name | School Type & Setting | EMT Programs Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2018-2019)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aims Community College | 2-year; public; small city | Emergency Medical Responder Certificate, EMT-Intermediate Certificate, EMT-Paramedic Certificate, AAS in EMT-Paramedic | $1,835 in-district $2,756 in-state $10,424 out-of-state |
| Arapahoe Community College | 2-year; public; suburban | EMT-Basic Certificate, EMT-Enhanced Certificate, EMT-Paramedic Certificate, AAS in EMS-Paramedicine | $3,918 in-state $15,006 out-of-state |
| Colorado Mesa University | 4-year; public; urban | EMT-Basic Certificate, EMT-Paramedic Certificate, AAS in EMT-Paramedic | $8,627 in-state $20,944 out-of-state |
| Colorado Mountain College | 4-year; public; rural | EMT-Basic Certificate, EMT-Intermediate Certificate, EMT-Paramedic Certificate, Wilderness EMS Certificate | $2,220 in-district $4,620 in-state $11,172 out-of-state |
| Community College of Aurora | 2-year; public; large city | EMT-Basic Certificate, EMT-Paramedic Certificate, AAS in Paramedicine | $3,826 in-state $14,914 out-of-state |
| Community College of Denver | 2-year; public; large city | EMT Certificate, Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services | $4,750 in-state $15,830 out-of-state |
| Front Range Community College | 2-year; public; suburban | EMT-Basic Certificate, Pre-Paramedic Certificate | $3,986 in-state $15,074 out-of-state |
| Morgan Community College | 2-year; public; remote town | EMT-Basic Certificate, EMT-Intermediate Certificate, Advanced EMT Certificate | $3,765 in-state $14,853 out-of-state |
| Pikes Peak Community College | 2-year; public; suburban | Emergency Medical Responder Course, EMT Course, Certificate of Completion in Paramedicine, AAS in Paramedicine | $3,840 in-state $14,928 out-of-state |
| Pueblo Community College | 2-year; public; midsize city | EMT-Basic Certificate, EMT-Intermediate Certificate, EMT-Paramedic Certificate, AAS in Emergency Medical Services | $5,179 in-state $16,262 out-of-state |
| Red Rocks Community College | 2-year; public; midsize city | EMT-Basic Certificate, Advanced EMT Certificate | $4,158 in-state $15,246 out-of-state |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.
