Frequently Asked Questions
Program Prerequisites and Admission Requirements
What are the prerequisites for the program?
Applicants must have completed an EMT Basic course, obtained EMT certification from the National Registry and received their state certification. Applicants must also take the Test of Essential Academic Skill (TEAS) exam prior to the application deadline. A minimum of one year experience as an EMT is preferred, but not required. All applicants with at least 1 year of EMT work experience will be awarded 1 bonus point.
How will my application be scored?
Your application is scored based on your college units, EMT work experience, and TEAS score:
- Your TEAS score is converted to points, so for example: 74% = 7.4 points.
- Your EMT work experience is scored 1 year = 1 point, up to a maximum of 5 points. If you have less than 1 year of work experience, we divide by 12 to find the points for the amount of months.
- We use a rubric for college units, with 0 – 10 college units receiving a score of 0.5 and a Master’s degree receiving a score of 5. There is a total of 5 points available.
- There are three ways to earn up to 2 bonus points on your application:
- have more than 1 year of EMT work experience: 1 bonus point
- take a Pre-Paramedic course: 0.5 bonus points
- take an Anatomy & Physiology course: 0.5 bonus points
- A strong applicant will be well balanced between the 3 areas.
What do I need to do after I apply to the program?
After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation from CCE that includes a link to upload the required documents.
What are the required documents that I need to upload to Send This File after I apply to the program?
After submitting your application, you will be emailed instructions on how to upload and send the following required documents:
- NREMT card
- State EMT card
- Resume
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended (If you have a college degree (Associates, Bachelors, or Masters), a copy of your diploma can be uploaded in lieu of transcripts.)
- Test of Essential Academic Skill (TEAS) printout that shows name and score.
Please make sure to only upload documents in PDF format. And, name each PDF with your last name and first name and the type of document. For example, Smith_John_Resume.
Do I have to take an Anatomy and Physiology class before being accepted into the program?
No, several weeks of A&P are included in the course curriculum so we do not require it as a prerequisite. However, if you have already taken an A&P course, you will receive a 0.5 bonus point on your application.
I’ve let my National Registry certification lapse. Can I still apply to your program?
Yes, as long as you are current with your county or state.
Do you have an entrance exam?
The Test of Essential Academic Skill (TEAS) serves as our entrance exam. You will need to schedule a TEAS exam on your own and submit the results by the application deadline. The TEAS exam can be taken anywhere that it is offered. When registering for the exam on the ATI website, please choose the TEAS for Nursing Option. There is no required minimum score.
Please do not route your score to Sacramento State via the ATI website. Once you have taken the exam, download your TEAS Score Report from your ATI Account and upload it with your other required documents.
Am I required to apply to Sacramento State as a student?
No, students are not required to apply to the university or meet campus admissions criteria. Students apply directly to the Paramedic Program by filling out the online application. There is a $30.00 non-refundable application fee.
If accepted into the program, will I need to show proof of immunizations?
Yes. If accepted, you’ll need to show proof of immunizations for: COVID-19, MMR, Hep B, Varicella, Influenza (current flu season), 2 step TB skin test (1-3 weeks apart), and Tdap. More information will be provided once accepted.
The CSU COVID-19 vaccination policy strongly recommends that all students and employees receive their booster as soon as they become eligible. Should this requirement change, we will update this FAQ. You can visit Sacramento State’s COVID-19 Information page for FAQ’s and more information.
COVID-19: Students need to submit proof of full vaccination prior to the first day of class. A booster shot may be required prior to attending clinical or field internship rotations. Vaccination requirements vary by clinical site and more information is provided once clinical assignments are made.
If accepted into the program, will I need to have health insurance?
Yes, all students accepted into the program must have health insurance throughout the entire duration of their program.
What else will I need to submit?
Upon program acceptance, current car insurance and health insurance coverage need to be shown.
If accepted into the program, will I need to attend orientation?
Yes, orientation is mandatory. The date orientation is scheduled is listed under Important Dates to Know.
Can I apply to the program if I have a criminal conviction on my record?
Having a criminal conviction on your record does not prevent you from applying or being accepted into the program. As of Oct. 1, 2024, the National Registry does not require disclosure of criminal convictions, however, paramedic applicants will need to check with the state for requirements to practice. The Emergency Medical Services Authority can be reached by email (paramedic@emsa.ca.gov) or you can contact the Paramedic Licensure Unit by phone at (916) 323-9875 to ask about your specific situation.
Program Costs
What is the cost of this program?
The cost of the program is $15,000 ($500 per unit) and includes books, materials, and uniform shirts. Students will also be required to pay for their field internship, which is approximately $1,000. Students are also responsible for paying a $120 non-refundable drug screening and background check fee at time of acceptance into the program. Total costs are approximately $16,120.
Is there a payment plan available?
No. Fees will be due to Sacramento State at specific times, as follows:
- The first payment will be $120, due if/when you’re accepted into the program
- The second payment will be $3,500, due at time of registration for NURS 51 and NURS 53: Part 1
- The third payment will be $4,000, due at time of registration for NURS 52 and NURS 54: Part 2
- The fourth payment will be $2,500, due at time of registration for NURS 55
- The fifth and final payment will be $5,000, due at time of registration for NURS 56
Payment is due at time of registration. You must register and pay for each course by the first day of the class. A $25 late payment fee will be assessed for those who register/pay after the first day of the course.
Lastly, you also need to pay for your internship directly with an agency, and their fees may vary. The typical cost for an internship can range anywhere from free to $2,500.
Is this program eligible for federal financial aid and student loans? Why not?
No, unfortunately, this program does not qualify for financial aid or student loans. Sacramento State is only approved to offer federal financial aid to students that are enrolled in eligible degree programs. Students enrolled in the Paramedic Program would not qualify for federal financial aid. This includes the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Student Loans.
Do you accept VA/GI Bill funding?
Sacramento State’s Paramedic Program is approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs to certify enrollment for eligible veterans for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill and others. You will need to contact registration (916-278-5499) at the College of Continuing Education to get started with the appropriate veteran’s paperwork.
Program Structure
How long is the program?
The average student finishes the program in approximately 12 months. It all depends on how many hours a week you put in during your clinical and fieldwork. Some students finish the program in under a year, and some take longer. Please note that courses administered by the College of Continuing Education (CCE) do not run on a semester-based schedule like the rest of the university. Classes during the didactic portion will be held at 4931 Arnold Avenue, McClellan Park, CA 95652.
What is the schedule like for didactic?
Class meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The start date of each program and end date of didactic is listed on the application (didactic is approx. 23 weeks long).
What certification is included in the program?
During didactic, you will get certified in BLS, ACLS, PALS and PHTLS. There is no additional cost for these classes — they are included with the cost of the program. These certifications also help make you more of a marketable job candidate upon program completion.
Is coursework transferable to another college or university?
Yes, you will receive 30 units of academic credit that may be transferable as elective units.
Are students required to wear uniforms?
Yes, students are provided two uniform polos and one program job shirt (sweatshirt), and are required to purchase and wear dark navy blue Taclite TDU 5.11 pants. Students are also required to wear black shoes and a black leather belt. Students are also provided scrubs to wear during the clinical portion of the program.
What are the required pants for the program and where can I purchase them?
You will need to purchase Taclite TDU 5.11 dark navy (style #74280) pants. You can purchase them online or at a uniform store.
Does the program provide job placement after graduation?
No, the program does not provide job placement. However, you will get a chance to network with other students who are already working as EMTs, as well as your instructors who all have careers working as a paramedic or firefighter. Also, your internships serve as a great opportunity to connect with professionals, which can open the doors to job opportunities.
Clinical/Field Placements and Internships
Do I have to find my own clinical and field placements?
No, we have a Clinical Coordinator and a Field Coordinator who will assist in placing you in your internships.
Do you have mentors for the clinical and field phases?
Yes, in addition to having a Clinical and Field Coordinator, we also have Clinical and Field Mentors. Each mentor will be assigned several students who they will mentor during those students’ clinical and field internships.
What are the hospitals you send students to for the clinical phase?
Doctor’s Medical Center of Modesto, Kaiser (North Sacramento, Oakland, Roseville, South Sacramento, Vacaville, Vallejo), Adventist Health Lodi Memorial, Marshall Medical Center, Mercy General Hospital, Mercy San Juan Medical Center, Methodist Hospital of Sacramento, NorthBay Health Medical Center, Rideout Memorial, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, St Joseph’s Medical Center, Stanford Medical Center, Sutter Health Memorial Medical Center, Sutter Amador Hospital, Sutter Roseville Medical Center, Sutter Medical Center, Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley (Valley Care), and Woodland Memorial Hospital.
Where are the places you send students for field internships?
AlphaOne Ambulance, American Ambulance Fresno, ALA, AMR, Bi-County Ambulance, City of Fairfield Fire Dept., City of Folsom Fire Dept., Cosumnes CSD Fire Dept,, Dinuba Fire Dept., El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority, Falck Ambulance, Lake County Fire, Manteca District Ambulance, Marin County Fire Dept., Medic Ambulance (Solano), Medstar/Ukiah Ambulance, Metro West Ambulance, North Shore Fire Protection District, Oak Valley Hospital District, Orange County Fire Authority, Patterson District Ambulance, Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority, Riggs Ambulance, Sacramento Fire Dept., Sacramento Metro. Fire Dept., San Luis Ambulance, San Rafael Fire Dept., San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, South San Francisco Fire Dept., Vacaville Fire Dept., and Westside Ambulance Association.
Program History and Accreditation
Is the program accredited?
Yes, the Paramedic Program is approved by the Sacramento County Emergency Medical Services Agency and the State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority. The program is also 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).
When did the program begin?
The Paramedic Program began in October 2009.
Curriculum
If you’d like to review the current syllabi or student handbook, please contact the program at cceparamedic@csus.edu.
Contact Information
You may send the program a message using this form.
What is the program’s phone number?
You can contact the program coordinator at (916) 278-5984.