The EMS – Paramedic program at Carl Sandburg College is designed to prepare Paramedics to administer emergency care to the critically ill or injured in pre-hospital settings, as well as inside emergency departments. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) – Paramedic program offers two paramedic training options, resulting in a one-year certificate or a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree, both designed to prepare individuals to become entry-level paramedics in the State of Illinois.
Application Dates
Please note: The EMS Paramedic program will not run a spring start in spring 2023. Please contact the Welcome Center at 309.345.3500 or welcomecenter@sandburg.edu to discuss alternate options.
Students must contact the EMS - Paramedic academic advisor prior to applying to the program. Students must apply online to the program by June 1 for fall enrollment. Students must apply by December 1 for Spring enrollment.
Anyone interested in this program must first complete the steps to enroll to become a Carl Sandburg College student. Apply Here! The online application is only available through mySandburg under Student Services.
PATHWAYS TO OTHER PROGRAMS
Students who complete the EMS - Paramedic program may apply to our other health programs
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, students are eligible to take the Illinois licensure exam for EMT-B. To begin the application process, students must meet with a Carl Sandburg College academic advisor to complete the application checklist.
Applicants are notified of the application status approximately two weeks after the application deadline. Applicants accepted into the Paramedic program must attend the required program orientation session.
Applicants who do not hold a current EMT license:
- Apply by December 1 for January enrollment into EMS 101: Emergency Medical Technician
- Apply by June 30 for August enrollment into EMS 101: Emergency Medical Technician
- Upon successful completion of the EMS 101 course and passing the EMT state examination, the student will be eligible to apply for the Paramedic Program.
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. The student is 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 the 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 a student is unable to participate in and/or complete clinical/practicum/internship courses required for the program due to a positive drug test which includes marijuana, they 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) is designed to help 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 inquire 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, Carl Sandburg College Foundation is able to award over $100,000 each year in scholarship dollars to Sandburg students. High school, adult learners, and returning students - everyone is eligible to apply. Apply between October 1 and March 15 for the upcoming year. We encourage all students to apply.
- Demonstrate integration of cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) as an entry level Paramedic.
- Apply therapeutic and professional communication skills when working with patients, patient’s family members, colleagues, and other health care professionals and members of the community.
- 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.
- Recognize the importance of research and evidence based practice to promote continuous, quality improvement in pre-hospital health care delivery.
- 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.
- 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
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:
SCHEDULE EXAMPLE FOR EMS - PARAMEDIC
Sample Schedule for Paramedic certificate
Sample Schedule for Paramedic AAS degree
Courses in this program are offered face-to-face in the classroom and through practicum experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the EMS-Paramedic Certificate and the EMS-Paramedic AAS degree?
The AAS degree requires the completion of 8 general education courses: ENG 101, PSY 101, PSY 265, PHL 103, SOC 101, MDT 100, BIO 211, and BIO 212 (pre-requisites BIO 101 and CHM 100). Completion of these courses gives students additional knowledge in these areas but does not give them additional job opportunities or higher pay if the degree is completed rather than the certificate. Both programs prepare individuals to become entry-level paramedics.
What licensing exams can a student sit for upon completion of this program?
Graduates will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Paramedic Exam.
Where are the clinical hours completed?
Students will complete clinical hours at a variety of scheduled times with area ambulance services and with the two Galesburg Hospitals – Cottage Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center.
MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Department of Health Professions
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
Galesburg, IL 61401
309.341.5299
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 student has passed the written and psychomotor portions of the exam, the student will be eligible for licensure in any state within the fifty in the United States. All states require that with a National Registry License, the student must apply for state licensure. Once state licensure is obtained, the student may serve in the state from which they 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
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.