The EMS program is offered in cooperation with our local EMS System, St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Services and utilizes clinical experiences at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur Memorial Hospital, and Decatur Ambulance Service.
Career and Technical Education Options
- Certificate and Associate in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services (Paramedic)
- EMT Basic Certificate
Entry Requirements
EMT Certificate: eligible for ENGL 101 and MATH 091, HLTH 110 CPR within 2 years or current American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider CPR certification for the length of the course, 17 years of age, and high school diploma or GED by end of program
EMS (Paramedic) Certificate/Degree: eligible for ENGL 101 and MATH 098, current American Heart Association BLS Health Care provider CPR certification, and current Illinois EMT license or higher for the length of the program
Licensed paramedics who have completed their training at another institution have the opportunity to complete the associate of applied science degree at Richland. Please contact the Health Professions’ office for details.
Length of Study
The EMT can be completed in one semester and the Paramedic in six semesters. Support courses in Health, English, Biology, Psychology, and other general education electives are required to complete the certificate and degree programs.
Employment Outlook
Employment opportunities include ambulance services, hospitals, and rescue squads within industry and fire or police departments.
Paramedic Program Outcomes
| Calendar Year | Retention (%) | NREMT Pass Rate (%) | Job Placement (%) |
| 2020 | 55.6% | 80.0% | 100% |
| 2021 | 77.8% | 71.4% | 100% |
Accreditation
The Richland Community College Paramedic program has been issued a Letter of Review by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP Executive Office). This letter is NOT a CAAHEP accreditation status, it is a status signifying that a program seeking initial accreditation has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the accreditation standards through the Letter of Review Self Study Report (LSSR) and other documentation. Letter of Review is recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for eligibility to take the NREMT’s Paramedic credentialing examination(s). However, it is NOT a guarantee of eventual accreditation.
To contact CoAEMSP:
Phone: (214) 703-8445
www.coaemsp.org
EMS (Paramedic) Program Projected Costs
The total estimated cost for the EMS (Paramedic) Program, based on full-time attendance, is approximately $16,200.00. Please be aware that costs may change. Tuition estimates are for in-district students.
| Admission Costs |
CPR Certification (HLTH 110) | 145.00 |
| Drug Screening | 97.50 | |
| Health & Immunizations | 948.98 | |
| Estimated Admission Costs | 1,191.48 | |
| First Semester |
Tuition & Fees (EMS 200, EMS 201, EMS 210, EMS 215, HLTH 140) | 2,547.50 |
| Course Fees (for above courses) | 399.00 | |
| Books (for above courses) | 1,221.25 | |
| Estimated Semester Costs | 4,167.75 | |
| Second Semester |
Tuition & Fees (BIOL 200, EMS 220, EMS 225, EMS 230, EMS 235) | 2,512.50 |
| Course Fees (for above courses) | 160.00 | |
| Books (for above courses) | 1,042.75 | |
| Estimated Semester Costs | 3,715.25 | |
| Third Semester |
Tuition & Fees (EMS 240, EMS 245, ENGL 110) | 1,364.00 |
| Course Fees (for above courses) | 60.00 | |
| Books (for above courses) | 687.50 | |
| Estimated Semester Costs | 2,111.50 | |
| Fourth Semester |
Tuition & Fees (COMM 130, EMS 250, EMS 255, EMS 260, EMS 265, PSYCH 110) | 2,728.00 |
| Course Fees (for above courses) | 170.00 | |
| Books (for above courses) | 340.00 | |
| Estimated Semester Costs | 3,238.00 | |
| Fifth Semester |
Tuition & Fees (EMS 270, SOCIO 110) | 1,183.00 |
| Course Fees (for above courses) | 260.00 | |
| Books (for above courses) | 42.50 | |
| Estimated Semester Costs | 1,485.50 | |
| Additional Costs |
Uniforms | 140.00 |
| Exam and Licensing Fees | 60.00 | |
| Estimated Additional Costs | 200.00 | |
| Total Estimated Program Costs | 16,109.48 | |
EMS (Paramedic) Certificate Projected Costs
The total estimated cost for the EMS (Paramedic) Certificate is approximately $12,200.00. Please be aware that costs may change. Tuition estimates are for in-district students.
| Admission Costs |
CPR Certification (HLTH 110) | 145.00 |
| Drug Screening | 20.00 | |
| Health & Immunizations | 948.98 | |
| Estimated Admission Costs | 1,113.98 | |
| First Semester |
Tuition & Fees (EMS 200, EMS 201, EMS 210, EMS 215) | 1,991.00 |
| Course Fees (for above courses) | 399.00 | |
| Books (for above courses) | 1,041.75 | |
| Estimated Semester Costs | 3,431.75 | |
| Second Semester |
Tuition & Fees (EMS 220, EMS 225, EMS 230, EMS 235) | 1,900.50 |
| Course Fees (for above courses) | 125.00 | |
| Books (for above courses) | 901.00 | |
| Estimated Semester Costs | 2,926.50 | |
| Third Semester |
Tuition & Fees (EMS 240, EMS 245) | 905.50 |
| Course Fees (for above courses) | 60.00 | |
| Books (for above courses) | 450.50 | |
| Estimated Semester Costs | 1,415.50 | |
| Fourth Semester |
Tuition & Fees (EMS 250, EMS 255, EMS 260, EMS 265) | 1,810.00 |
| Course Fees (for above courses) | 170.00 | |
| Books (for above courses) | 100.00 | |
| Estimated Semester Costs | 2,080.00 | |
| Fifth Semester |
Tuition & Fees (EMS 270) | 724.00 |
| Course Fees (for above courses) | 260.00 | |
| Books (for above courses) | 0.00 | |
| Estimated Semester Costs | 984.00 | |
| Additional Costs |
Uniforms | 140.00 |
| Exam and Licensing Fees | 60.00 | |
| Estimated Additional Costs | 200.00 | |
| Total Estimated Program Costs | 12,151.73 | |
Emergency Medical Technology (EMT) Certificate Projected Costs
The total estimated cost for the EMT Certificate is approximately $3,000.00. Please be aware that costs may change. Tuition estimates are for in-district students.
| Admission Costs |
CPR Certification (HLTH 110) | 145.00 |
| Drug Screening | 28.00 | |
| Health & Immunizations | 878.98 | |
| Estimated Admission Costs | 1,051.98 | |
| First Semester |
Tuition & Fees (EMS 120, EMS 125) | 1,281.00 |
| Course Fees (for above courses) | 334.00 | |
| Books (for above courses) | 220.50 | |
| Estimated Semester Costs | 1,835.50 | |
| Additional Costs |
Uniforms | 40.00 |
| Exam and Licensing Fees | 45.00 | |
| Estimated Additional Costs | 85.00 | |
| Total Estimated Program Costs | 2,972.48 | |