Overview
The Paramedic Program is designed for individuals looking to further their careers in emergency medical services. As a paramedic, you will provide advanced emergency on-scene treatment as well as patient care and transportation, serving as the link from the scene into the health care system. Our students are prepared for roles as clinicians, advocates, educators and leaders in the changing prehospital healthcare system.
We are proud to be the first and only California State University campus to offer a paramedic program.
At Sacramento State, we have the most clinical and field provider agency contracts of any accredited paramedic program. This translates directly to minimal lag time between the Didactic, Clinical and Field phases of the program. Most students have little to no wait time and as a result finish in one year or less.
Additionally, our students consistently rank higher than national averages when taking the National Registry Exam. We pledge to commit our resources, facilities and efforts toward your success.
Benefits
- Students will receive hands-on learning through a High-Fidelity Simulation Lab, which includes high-fidelity mannequins that mimic live human responses.
- Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Training. This two-day course is a great team-building exercise, confidence builder and resume enhancer.
- Certification courses including BLS, ACLS, PALS, and PHTLS.
- A week-long course sponsored by FEMA through the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium at New Mexico Tech, located in Socorro, NM.
- Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive 30 units of transferable academic credit.
- All of our instructors are currently working in the field as full-time Professional Firefighter/Paramedics, Private Ambulance Paramedics, Flight Paramedics, Nurses and Physician assistants, serving as great resources for our students.
- We have a full-time administrative staff dedicated to answering your questions and assisting students throughout their program.
These opportunities are all included in the cost of course fees and come at no additional cost to the student. As the most comprehensive program offered in the state, we provide students a balance of both the theoretical knowledge and applied skills needed to be a successful and competent paramedic.
Audience
This program is ideal for: Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) who are ready to become paramedics and further their careers in Emergency Medical Services.
Structure
The program is offered twice per year. Cohorts start in either January or July.
The first section of the program is didactic (NURS 51, NURS 52, NURS 53 and NURS 54). Students will learn ALS practices in relation to paramedicine. Students will master anatomy and physiology, cardiology, respiration, general medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, trauma and neurology.
The second section is a clinical experience (NURS 55) where students are placed in different hospitals around the region. Students have the opportunity to practice and hone their skills with a nurse preceptor in preparation for their field internship.
The final section is the field internship (NURS 56) in which students assume the role of a paramedic under supervision of a preceptor. A minimum of 480 hours must be completed in addition to 40 ALS contacts. Upon successful completion of NURS 56, students will be required to complete a comprehensive final evaluation that also serves as NREMT test preparation.
Admission Criteria
Applicants must have completed an EMT Basic course and obtained EMT certification from the National Registry, as well as their state certification. Applicants must also take the Test of Essential Academic Skill (TEAS) for Nursing exam prior to the application deadline. A minimum of one year experience as an EMT is preferred, but not required. EMT experience on an ambulance is also strongly preferred but not required.
Students are not required to apply to Sacramento State or meet campus admissions criteria. Students apply directly to the program by filling out our online application.
Test of Essential Academic Skill (TEAS)
The Test of Essential Academic Skill (TEAS) for Nursing 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. Please visit the ATI website for more information on how to register for the TEAS for Nursing exam.
Licensure/Credentialing
Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or tax payer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements.
The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available by contacting the program staff.
Accreditation Information
The Paramedic Program is approved by the Sacramento County Emergency Medical Services Agency and the State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority. It 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).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
CoAEMSP
8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
FAX 214-703-8992
www.coaemsp.org
Sacramento State is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, #100, Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001. Accreditation was reaffirmed for 10 years in June 2017.
Paramedic Program Outcomes
CAAHEP Accredited Paramedic Programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2022.
The most recent success rate for the National Registry of EMT Paramedic Cognitive exam was 97.2%.
The most recent positive placement rate for graduates was 98.6%. Positive placement is defined by the CoAEMSP as “Employed full or part-time in a related field and/or continuing his/her education and/or serving in the military.” Positive placement is measured at completion of the program.
The most recent retention rate was 81.8%.
