Program Details
Associate of Applied Science - Emergency Medical Services
Associate of Applied ScienceTidewater Community College
This program is included in: G3
The programs in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) prepare students for work in areas such as hospitals, fire-rescue, military, volunteer services, nursing homes, sports organizations, cruise ship lines, and other fields that require emergency services.
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Emergency Medical Services provides comprehensive education necessary to provide advanced emergency medical care for patients accessing emergency medical services. Clinical and field internships are key components of this program since they offer students opportunities to experience the role of emergency service provider in various settings.
Admission to the A.A.S. program requires a general college application. If admitted, students must meet certain conditions for continuance. For further information, go to tcc.edu (search keywords "emergency medical services").
The TCC EMS Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th Street N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org
To contact CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
(214) 703-8445
FAX: (214) 703-8992
www.coaemsp.org
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | Yes, if you:
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Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Admission to the medical laboratory technology program is very selective and requires a separate application in addition to general admission to the college. Applicants are required to attend an information session, held the third Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. (except December) on the Virginia Beach Campus. |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights | Complete this program in just 5 semesters / 66 credits The associate degree provides individuals with the skills and expertise to deliver advanced emergency medical care as a paramedic for critical and emergency patients. You can achieve this degree in several steps. Course work qualifies students to sit for one or more exams administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), the American Heart Association, and more! TCC had 17 graduates in 2020-21, 12 graduates in 2019-20, 40 graduates in 2018-19, 36 graduates in 2017-18, and 45 graduates in 2016-17 in the AAS program in Emergency Medical Services. |
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 | The student development requirement at TCC is waived for students who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. All other coursework is evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | TCC does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation. |
Credit for Prior Learning | TCC recognizes you have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work and community-based experiences. Credit for Prior Learning at TCC is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You can have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree.
For more information: https://help.tcc.edu/s/topic/0TO1R000000gnrkWAA/credit-for-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? | At TCC, we believe everyone should have access to a high quality, affordable education. With diverse programs designed for immediate job placement, smaller class sizes, top-rated faculty and modern campuses, TCC is an ideal environment for a life changing education, right here in your own backyard. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined when an academic plan is selected by the student. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Completing the first two years of your degree at TCC can get you in the door - while saving you thousands on the cost of your education. We recommend that you start your transfer planning during your first semester at TCC. In addition to your regular academic advising, you should review the TCC guaranteed admissions agreements and the transfer guides for the college or university to which you would like to transfer.
https://help.tcc.edu/s/article/Guaranteed-Transfer-Programs. |
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 |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, 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 |
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
