Program Details
Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services
Associate of Applied SciencePiedmont Virginia Community College
The PVCC emergency medical services (EMS) program prepares graduates to provide pre-hospital care as a paramedic under structured guidelines in emergency situations. The problem-solving process is used to direct care outcomes. The curriculum consists of both general studies and EMS courses. EMS program graduates are eligible to sit for the national registry exam, which is offered throughout the year. Upon successful completion of this examination, candidates receive their National Registry Paramedic certification. This is required prior to applying for the reciprocity as a Virginia paramedic. The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services will only grant certification as a paramedic in Virginia through initial certification and reciprocity afforded through the National Registry. Employment opportunities for National Registry/Virginia-licensed paramedics include hospital emergeny rooms, rescue squads, ambulance companies and other public and private agencies providing pre-hospital care.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | This is a competitive admission program with one application deadline per year. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights | 100% National Registry Skills Exam pass rate for graduates over the past 4 years. |
Related Programs & Certifications

Program Credit Requirements

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.
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.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Prior completion of any associate degree or higher waives the SDV 100 requirement. All courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Prior completion of any associate degree or higher waives the SDV 100 requirement. All courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
Credit for Prior Learning | https://www.pvcc.edu/credit-prior-learning |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | |
First Year Student Catalog Year | |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Central Virginia Community College | AAS in Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Emergency Medical Services, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Emergency Medical Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergengy Medical Services Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Emergency Medical Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Radford University | BS in Emergency Services | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
Ferrum College | B.S. in Emergency Services | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Ferrum College | B.S. in Paramedic | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Ferrum College | A.A.S. in Paramedic | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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29-2042.00 | Emergency Medical Technicians | Assess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
25-1071.00 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
29-2043.00 | Paramedics | Administer 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
