School Information
Through emergency medical technology and paramedic programs, aspiring professionals learn how to treat patients in life-threatening situations, such as those related to automobile accidents, heart attacks, falls, and gunshot wounds. Certification is required to become an EMT or paramedic and can be obtained by completing a certificate or an associate's degree program, available at many colleges and universities. The four institutions highlighted here include two private universities, one public university, and one community college. Individual programs range from a one-semester certification course to an associate's degree. Three of the schools were nationally or regionally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 2017. The fourth was a top ten finalist for the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, awarded each year by Aspen Institute.
George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
GWU is the first medical school in Washington, D.C., and the 11th oldest medical school in the country. George Washington University was ranked #56 among national universities in 2017 by U.S. News & World Report. The university's Health Sciences Program offers a basic EMT certification program that can be completed in one semester. This program prepares students to take the EMT Basic Certification Exam offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Brigham Young University in Rexburg, ID
Majors are available in health science, recreation management, and exercise science at the Department of Health, Recreation, and Human Performance. Brigham Young University, which is affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was ranked #10 among western regional colleges by U.S. News & World Report in 2017. Brigham Young offers an Associate of Applied Science and a Bachelor of Science in Paramedicine, programs that include training in trauma and medical emergencies, cardiology, and medical assessments. The school also offers a Bachelor of Emergency Services for aspiring paramedics.
Stony Brook University (The State University of New York) in Stony Brook, NY
The majority of faculty members at this state university hold the highest degrees in their field, and several have been awarded Nobel Prizes. Stony Brook offers an EMT basic - paramedic program that prepares students for certification and provides them with credentials in advanced pediatric, advanced cardiac, and pre-hospital trauma life support. After completing the programs, graduates will be able to take exams for certifications at various state and national agencies. Stony Brook was ranked #42 among public schools for 2017 by U.S .News & World Report.
Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The school offers an EMT Applied Tech Diploma, Paramedic Tech Certification, and an A.S. in Emergency Medical Services. Students can choose between the three emergency medical services programs offered at Broward College based on their previous experience and career goals. The EMT Applied Technology Diploma provides basic training for students with no previous experience, preparing them for entry-level work in the field over the course of 16 weeks. For experienced EMTs looking to advance to positions of greater responsibility, the two-year Paramedic Technical Certificate is appropriate. The Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services program includes the coursework from both the diploma and certificate programs, along with general education courses. For 2017, Broward College was a top ten finalist for the prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
Top EMT and Paramedics Programs
These colleges and universities also offer relevant training for aspiring EMTs and paramedics.
| School Name | Distinction | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Creighton University | Offers an online M.S. in EMS | Omaha, NE |
| Delgado Community College | Offers Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic programs | New Orleans, LA |
| Front Range Community College | EMS Certificates prepare students for the NREMT exam; students can then apply for state EMT certification | Westminster, CO |
| Hillsborough Community College | EMT training is a one-semester program with the completion of 11 credits | Tampa, FL |
| Miami Dade College | Offers certificate, associate's, and bachelor's degree programs | Miami, FL |
| Pacific Union College | Seventh-day Adventist Christian college | Angwin, CA |
Students who want to become EMTs or paramedics can find focused diploma and certificate programs, as well as broader degree programs in emergency medical services.
