Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Certificate in Paramedic

Certificate
Laurel Ridge Community College

The curriculum is designed to develop the knowledge base and skill required to prepare the student to function as an "entry-level" Paramedic. Successful performance in this program qualifies the student to take the National Registry's Paramedic exam.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
Click here for details
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree The curriculum is designed to develop the knowledge base and skill required to prepare the student to function as an “entry-level” Paramedic. Successful performance in this program qualifies the student to take the National Registry’s Paramedic exam.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

Only students admitted into one of the EMS programs may enroll in EMS courses.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Laurel Ridge Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses This program is G3 eligible. IN-DEMAND credentials and education programs that are eligible for more funding than ever before through the G3 Scholarship. Students must be age 18 on the first day of class, be a high school graduate or GED holder, have a current Virginia or National Registry EMT-Intermediate certification or higher or completion of the EMT-Intermediate curriculum, and meet other program requiements. Please visit our website for full details.
Doing More With Your Degree Students who wish to complete an Associate Degree should work towards the Emergency Medical Services degree program.
Program Successes & Highlights The program is accredited by the Virginia office of EMS, CoAEMSP (Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for Emergency Medical Services Professions) and CAAHEP (The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs)
Related Programs & Certifications
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On Completion You Are Ready For
Credential
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services
Link
Credential That Prepares You For This Program
Credential
Career Studies Certificate in Emergency Medical Technician
Link
Credential That Prepares You For This Program
Credential
Career Studies Certificate in Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
Link
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Certificate in Paramedic
47
Certificate in Paramedic
47
Course Grad Req 145 (2024-25 Catalog)
47
1st Semester Requirements
18
BIO 145 Requirement
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
EMS 121 Requirement
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 123 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 125 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 126 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 127 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 128 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 135 Requirement
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 136 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 137 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 138 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 175 Requirement
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
2nd Semester Requirements
17
EMS 139 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 140 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 141 Requirement
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 142 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 111 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 202 Requirement
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 203 Requirement
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 204 Requirement
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 210 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 248 Requirement
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
3rd Semester Requirements
12
EMS 163 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 164 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 165 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 167 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 206 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 247 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 212 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 216 Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 249 Requirement
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Residency
47
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 35 credits may be applied to this program.
GPA
47
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students transferring to Laurel Ridge with an Associate Degree or higher already completed will be able to transfer in applicable credits to their degree and will have SDV 100 waived.

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Laurel Ridge does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation.
Credit for Prior Learning https://laurelridge.edu/credit-for-prior-learning/
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Laurel Ridge Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market. We offer many courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. Our student life team offers many ways for students to get involved including clubs, activities, and volunteer opportunities.
Transfer Student Catalog Year The catalog year in effect at the time a student was formally admitted into their curriculum at Laurel Ridge.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog placement is tied to semester start selected in the application.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://laurelridge.edu/transfer/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Blue Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services (EMS)AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Central Virginia Community CollegeAAS in Emergency Medical Services - ParamedicAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services - ParamedicAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services-ParamedicAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services - ParamedicAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Mountain Empire Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services TechnologyAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeEmergency Medical Services, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Piedmont Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science with a major in Emergency Medical ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Southwest Virginia Community College Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergengy Medical Services TechnologyAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearHybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Emergency Medical ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate in Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Radford UniversityBS in Emergency ServicesBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Online
Ferrum CollegeB.S. in Emergency ServicesBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Ferrum CollegeB.S. in Paramedic BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Ferrum CollegeA.A.S. in ParamedicAssociateAssociate of Applied Science4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
29-2042.00Emergency Medical TechniciansAssess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
25-1071.00Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
29-2043.00ParamedicsAdminister basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 47 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Certificate in Paramedic at Laurel Ridge Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 3 semesters or 1.5 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $163 Per Credit $7,661 $0 $7,661
Fees
Student Activity Fee $2 Per Credit $94 0 $94
Auxiliary Fee $4 Per Credit $188 0 $188
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Tuition & Fee Notes:
  • Additional Fees
    • Some courses include materials fees in the cost of tuition or use free materials, and other courses require students to purchase texbooks or other materials. Laurel Ridge does not charge fees for parking or graduation. Tuition and fees are the same regardless of whether students attend online or in person. Tuition and Fees are subject to change.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.