Long Island, NY, Schools with EMT Training
Long Island-area residents' options for EMT training include degree, certificate, and course options through schools and nonprofit organizations in Suffolk and Nassau counties. Read about the program options below, and use the accompanying table to compare important school statistics. Information about other school options can be found after the table.
- The largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) offers an EMT - Paramedic associate's degree program at its Ammerman campus in Selden, the oldest of the school's three campuses.
- Stony Brook University, a member of the SUNY system also located in Suffolk County, offers an EMT - Paramedic training program that leads to a certificate.
- In nearby Nassau County, the Nassau County Emergency Medical Services Academy (NCEMSA) offers EMT - Basic and EMT - Critical Care training and recertification options at various program sites.
Comparison of Schools
The following table includes undergraduate tuition figures, as well as individual EMT program costs. You'll also find information about prospects for financial aid, school selectivity and graduation rates.
| Suffolk County Community College (SUNY) | Stony Brook University (SUNY) | Nassau County Emergency Medical Services Academy (NCEMSA) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | Public, 2-year | Public, 4-year | Non-profit organization |
| Total Enrollment (Fall 2021)* | 20,549 | 26,608 | N/A |
| Campus Setting | Large suburb | Large suburb | Large suburb |
| Tuition & Fees (2022-2023) | $6,270/year for in-state students, $11,740/year for out-of-state students* | $10,560/year for in-state students, $28,480/year for out-of-state students* | $1,300 for EMT - Basic program $515 for EMT - Basic program (refresher) $950 for EMT - Critical Care program (refresher) $1,250 for EMT - Paramedic program (refresher) (as of 2018)** |
| % of First-time Full-time Students Receiving Financial Aid (2020-2021)* | 66% | 82% | N/A |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A - open admissions policy | 48% in Fall 2021 | N/A |
| Retention Rate (2021)* | 58% for full-time, 41% for part-time students | 89% for full-time, 75% for part-time students | N/A |
| Graduation Rate* | 25% overall, 13% transfer-out (for students beginning Fall 2018) | 78% overall, 13% transfer-out (for students beginning Fall 2015) | N/A |
Sources: *National Center for Education Statistics, **Nassau County Emergency Medical Services Academy
Suffolk County Community College (SUNY)
The paramedic training program offered at SCCC was launched in Fall 2012. It has been designed to comply with all requirements on both the state and national levels with regard to the training and certification of paramedics.
Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic
Graduates of the full-time competitive A.A.S. in EMT - Paramedic program offered by Suffolk County Community College will exit the program prepared to take the necessary examinations to become certified as an AEMT-IV paramedic. The curriculum is comprehensive and incorporates all skills necessary to serve in a life-saving role in out-of-hospital circumstances. Students also learn the medical and legal standards and liabilities under which they work. Program applicants must hold active EMT - Basic certification for the duration of their paramedic education at SCCC. At least 63 credit hours must be fulfilled, including clinical courses in cooperation with affiliated hospitals.
Stony Brook University (SUNY)
Stony Brook University offers the EMT - Paramedic certificate. Both programs are based out of the university's School of Health Technology and Management and both lead to a certificate.
EMT - Paramedic Certificate
EMT certification is a prerequisite for the paramedic program, which requires 696 hours of clinical training. The program is designed to train and prepare students to serve as EMT-paramedics.
Students receive instruction and training in patient assessment and immediate care skills in cases of illness and injury. The curriculum includes study of various kinds of physical trauma (such as burns, soft tissue, hemorrhage, shock, spinal, abdominal, head, and facial) and methods for assisting special populations (such as the elderly or children). Aspiring EMTs also learn about infection control and safety, incident command, medical and legal considerations, procedures for working with law enforcement, safe ambulance operation, and hazardous materials. Clinical training takes place in the field, such as on ambulance rides and in hospital emergency rooms. Graduates of both programs are eligible to take the certification exams offered by New York State and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians; additional certification opportunities are available to graduates of the paramedic program.
Nassau County Emergency Medical Services Academy (NCEMSA)
The Nassau County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Academy (NCEMSA) is part of the Nassau County Vocational Education and Extension Board (VEEB), a nonprofit organization that serves the training and certification needs of career and volunteer emergency medical service workers in Nassau County, Long Island, New York. Available seats in classes may be filled by tuition-paying county residents. Attendees of these courses may be able to earn college credit. Some classes are offered at the Nassau County EMS Academy's East Meadow location; classes may also be offered at other locations in Nassau County.
EMT - Basic and EMT - Critical Care
The EMT training courses have varying start dates and repeat several times per year. The EMT - Basic course takes 137-credit hours to complete and covers basic life support and patient transport skills for patients suffering injury or illness; it can be completed in about six months. The EMT - Critical Care class requires 330-credit hours of coursework and covers advanced pre-hospital care, including delivery of intravenous fluids and medications, advanced airway management, and advanced heart care.
Other Training Options
EMT training is also offered through the Emergency Medical Institute at Northwell Health in Hempsted. It currently educates more than 1,000 emergency medical workers annually. The Nassau County Fire Police Emergency Medical Services Academy at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow offers original and refresher EMT training for basic, critical care and paramedic certification.
