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Dallas College
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Paramedic Program

​​​​​​The Paramedic program can be completed in approximately 7.5 months in its fastest format.  Students will complete 39 credit hours beyond the prerequisites of EMT training. 

The Paramedic program is designed to prepare students to provide advanced prehospital emergency care to patients. Training will include classroom instruction, laboratory practice,ambulance experience and hospital rotations with an emphasis on emergency department experience. Students will also earn ACLS, PHTLS, PEPP and AMLS credentials during the Paramedic courses.

The Paramedic program will prepare you to function as an advanced life-support provider with invasive skills training such as:

  • Intravenous (IV) initiation
  • External jugular cannulation
  • Endotracheal intubation
  • Medication administration by various routes
  • Intraosseous (IO) access
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm identification
  • 12-lead ECG interpretation
  • Defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion
  • Transcutaneous pacing
  • Needle thoracostomy

Paramedic cohorts start year-round. Please review our class schedule to find a class that works for you.

Paramedic Program Eligibility

Texas DSHS EMT Credential (NREMT can be used for conditional admission)​​​

Applicants to the Paramedic program must have completed previous training as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and have a current and valid state of Texas EMT certification. National Registry credential can be used for conditional admission pending completion of the Texas​ state certification.

Anatomy and Physiology (A&P)

Students must take EMSP 2471 as the first course of the Paramedic cohort sequence.​ This is the only approved anatomy and physiology course for the EMT and paramedic programs.

Other Requirements

  • Graduation from high school or successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) test.
  • Application and current admission to Dallas College.
  • Submission of official transcripts from each college or university previously attended (transcripts from the campuses of Dallas College are not required).
  • Submission of copies of the following documents to EMS office (in person or by email as PDF files):
    • State-issued photo ID or driver's license
    • Verification of medical insurance
    • BLS-CPR current course completion from American Heart Association or American Red Cross
    • Physical exam (simple school sports type OK, no specific form or format needed) done within six months prior to program start
    • Immunization records including titers for Hep-B, MMR and varicella. A recent TB skin test is also required.​
    • Current and valid state of Texas EMT certification

Paramedic Program Admissions and Application

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the EMS Office to submit required documents (above) and complete registration.

Transfer of Courses and Credit-by-Exam Policies

College Credit

College credit is granted for all coursework successfully completed through Dallas College for the EMT Basic, Paramedic or Associate Degree. If a student has previously earned a minimum of the EMT Basic Certification, noncollege credit, whether it was at an independent or fire service-based EMS school, a high school, another agency, or out-of-state, college credit may be awarded by exam. This is NOT advanced placement, the prior course and state certification must be completed.

Credit by Exam

  • To get credit for a noncredit EMS program/course, a student must take a credit by examination. This is NOT advanced placement. The student must have completed the prior EMS program and be certified in the state of Texas.
  • The cost of each credit by exam is available in the Dallas College Course Catalog.
  • The student must be currently enrolled at the college to be eligible for credit by examination(s).
  • For additional information, students must contact the Dallas College EMS Academic Chair at 972-860-7879. Students should bring all certifications when meeting with the Academic Chair.

Class Schedules

Paramedic cohorts start year-round. Please review our class schedule to find a class that works for you. The program offers several cohorts to help meet the needs of all our students (availability of cohort varies). Once students choose a cohort, they must continue with that cohort and in that format through the remainder of the program. 

The Paramedic program is an accelerated program that will require a significant time commitment, including time studying outside of class. Regardless of which class format a student chooses, they should prepare to commit approximately 40 hours per week to lecture, laboratory sessions, hospital clinicals or an ambulance internship.

  • Fast Track Academy (Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.): Class meets every weekday. The length of the program in this format is approximately 7.5 months. ​This format is offered multiple-rolling dates throughout the year. It is intended for member fire departments. If there are openings, any student can apply.
  • “B” Shift-Based (Mon-Sat, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.): Class meets every third day on “B” shift days Monday–Saturday for lecture and laboratory. Clinical requirements are fulfilled outside of lecture and laboratory time. The length of the program in this format is approximately 10.5 months. This format starts in June of each year.​
  • Hybrid Fast Track (online/on campus, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.): Lectures take place online while laboratory sessions take place on campus two days a week. Clinical requirements are fulfilled outside of laboratory time. The length of the program in this format is approximately 7.5 months. This format starts only in July of each year.
  • Night Medic (Tues, Wed, Thurs, 6 pm -10 p.m. AND B shift Sat 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.): The length of the program is 13 months.

*Please see program office for details regarding shift schedule.*

*There are multiple schedules available. Please contact program office for more information.* 

Tuition and Program Costs

See our tuition rates for tuition costs based on your place of residency. Review the costs specific to the Paramedic program and compare them to what you’d pay elsewhere! Contact the accounting office for tuition payment plan options.

Paramedic program tuition is waived for individuals associated with a fire department, and if approved, through​ the Texas Firefighter Tuition Waiver. 

Estimated Expenses for the Paramedic Program

Tuition and other fees are subject to change. Please refer to current catalog for the tuition table.

Fees:

  • ACLS card: $5
  • AMLS fee: $15
  • PHTLS fee: $15
Total estimated fees above tuition: around $40.

Paramedic Textbooks:

Textbooks are included in tuition.​

​

Other Costs To Consider (not covered by tuition):

  • Personal health care insurance coverage
  • Transportation
  • Parking fees at hospital clinical sites, if applicable
  • Texas Department of State Health Services registration
  • National Registry of EMTs cognitive exam testing fee

Paramedic Program Accreditation

The Dallas College Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 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
727-210-2350​
www.caahep.org​

To Contact CoA​EMSP:
214-703-8445
www.coaemsp.org​​

Graduates will complete requirements that satisfy the Texas Department of State Health Services Paramedic guidelines for certification, which includes the National Registry of EMTs exam.​