A compilation of student in doing tacks in the EMS classroom.

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) — Paramedic program at Carl Sandburg College prepares paramedics to administer emergency care to the critically ill or injured in pre-hospital settings, as well as inside emergency departments. The EMS — Paramedic program offers two paramedic training options, resulting in a one-year certificate or a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree, both help prepare you to become entry-level paramedics in the state of Illinois.

Application dates

The EMS Paramedic program will not run a fall start in the fall of 2023. Please contact the Welcome Center at 309.345.3500 or welcomecenter@sandburg.edu to discuss alternate options.

You must contact the EMS — Paramedic academic advisor prior to applying to the program by June 1 for fall enrollment. Students must apply by December 1 for Spring enrollment.

If you're interested in this program, complete the steps to enroll to become a Carl Sandburg College student. Apply here! The online application is available only through mySandburg under Student Services.

PATHWAYS TO OTHER PROGRAMS

Students who complete the EMS — Paramedic program may apply to our other health programs:

Practical Nursing (LPN)

Associate Degree Nursing (RN)

Radiologic Technology

The paramedic program limits enrollment to students who meet the eligibility requirements and are selected for admission through a point system. These eligibility requirements include a current EMT license. This license can be obtained by enrolling in the EMS.101 course. Upon successful completion of the course, you are eligible to take the Illinois licensure exam for EMT-B. To begin the application process, meet with a Carl Sandburg College academic advisor to complete the application checklist.

You'll be notified of your application status approximately two weeks after the application deadline. If you're accepted into the paramedic program, you must attend the required program orientation session.

If you do not hold a current EMT license:

Accepted students will be required to possess Healthcare Provider CPR certification throughout the program, show proof of immunizations and required titers, TB test, physical examination, criminal background check and drug screen. You are responsible for all fees incurred in addition to tuition. Please refer to the EMS — Paramedic Program Cost Sheet.

Although the COVID-19 vaccination is not an admission requirement, most clinical sites require vaccination against COVID-19.

Findings on your criminal background check and drug screen may void conditional admission and prevent entrance to the program. Findings on the physical examination and drug screen may prevent placement at the clinical sites. If you're unable to participate in and/or complete the clinical/practicum/internship courses required for the program due to a positive drug test, which includes marijuana, you are not eligible for a refund of any tuition, fees or other expenses incurred while preparing for admission into the program and while enrolled in the program. 

Career and technical programs/courses are offered without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or status in any group protected by applicable federal, state or local law. 

Title IX Coordinator: 309.341.5258
ADA/504 Coordinator: 309.341.5262


For additional information contact:
The Welcome Center
309.345.3500
welcomecenter@sandburg.edu

ESTIMATED COST

Paramedic certificate cost sheet — Fall start

Paramedic certificate cost sheet — Spring start

AAS degree Paramedic cost sheet — Fall start

 

FINANCIAL AID

To apply for financial aid, visit our financial aid page for more information.


WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) helps job seekers access employment, education, training and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Contact the local office to see if you qualify for financial support. 

  • Hancock County | 550 N. Madison St. | Carthage, IL | 217.357.6749      
  • Warren/Henderson County |1025 S. 2nd St | Monmouth, IL | 309.734.4745
  • Knox County Bondi Building | 311 E. Main, Suite 612 | Galesburg, IL | 309.343.9832               
  • McDonough County | 440 N. Lafayette | Macomb, IL | 309.837.1280


SCHOLARSHIPS

Thanks to our generous donors, the Carl Sandburg College Foundation is able to award more than $100,000 each year in scholarship dollars to Sandburg students. High school, adult learners and returning students are eligible to apply between October 1 and March 15 for the upcoming year. 

  1. Demonstrate integration of cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) as an entry-level paramedic.

  2. Apply therapeutic and professional communication skills when working with patients, patient’s family members, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals and members of the community.

  3. Incorporate the professional attributes of integrity, empathy, self-motivation, self-confidence, communication, teamwork and diplomacy, time management, appearance and personal hygiene, respect, patient advocacy and safe delivery of care into practice.

  4. Recognize the importance of research and evidence-based practice to promote continuous, quality improvement in pre-hospital healthcare delivery.

  5. Recognize and acknowledge that the emerging roles and responsibilities of the paramedic include public education, health promotion, and participation in injury- and illness-prevention programs.

  6. Assume the role of leadership as an advanced life-support provider and role model for other EMS providers.

2019 PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  • NREMT/state written exam results: 0
  • Retention: 0
  • Positive job placement: 0
(No graduating class of 2019)

2018 PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  • NREMT/state written exam results: 60%
  • Retention: 83.3%
  • Positive job placement: 100%

2017 PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  •    NREMT/state written exam results: 66.7%
  •    Retention: 66.7%
  •    Positive job placement: 100%

GRADUATES FROM THIS PROGRAM PURSUE CAREERS IN FIELDS SUCH AS

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Learn more.

SCHEDULE EXAMPLES

View a sample schedule for Paramedic certificate.

View a sample schedule for Paramedic AAS degree.

Courses in this program are offered face-to-face in the classroom and through practicum experiences.

FAQs

What is the difference between the EMS — Paramedic Certificate and the EMS — Paramedic AAS degree?

The AAS degree requires the completion of eight general education courses:

  1. ENG 101
  2. PSY 101
  3. PSY 265
  4. PHL 103
  5. SOC 101
  6. MDT 100
  7. BIO 211
  8. BIO 212 (pre-requisites BIO 101 and CHM 100).
Completion of these courses provides additional knowledge in these areas but does not mean additional job opportunities or higher pay if the degree is completed rather than the certificate. Both programs prepare you to become entry-level paramedics.

What licensing exams can I sit for upon completion of this program?

You will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Paramedic Exam.

Where are the clinical hours completed?

You will complete clinical hours at a variety of scheduled times with area ambulance services and with the Galesburg hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center.

ACCREDITATION

Graduates from the Carl Sandburg Emergency Medical Technician basic program and Paramedic Program are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam. Once the you have passed the written and psychomotor portions of the exam, you will be eligible for licensure in any state within the 50 United States. All states require you to apply for state licensure with a National Registry License, which enables you to serve in the state from which you obtained licensure.

The Carl Sandburg 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 Program 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
caahep.org


Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75055


LICENSURE

Graduates will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Paramedic Exam.