Become Frontline Health Worker With an Emergency Medical Services Associate Degree

The two-year associate degree in Emergency Medical Services prepares students for the hands-on profession as a Paramedic. Students learn by putting theory into practice to build their skills and competency required to sit for the National Registry exam for Paramedics.

Apply Now Blue Ridge
Associate Degree Banner
rectangle shape left rectangle shape right

Enroll in a Emergency Medical Services Program Designed for You

Blue Ridge CTC’s Emergency Medical Services associate degree is prepared by experts to equip students with clinical, stress management, and communication skills vital to emergency preparedness in a healthcare or caregiving setting. Train for a rewarding career as a Paramedic at Blue Ridge CTC.

New Student Icon

Are You a New Student?

Set a solid foundation in the medical emergency services with a two-year associate degree in Emergency Medical Services. Blue Ridge CTC offers a blend of real-world knowledge and additional workforce skills employers look for in qualified applicants.

Transfer Student Icon

Transferring Schools?

You are not alone, as almost a third of students transfer schools! Check our transfer evaluation tool to save money and time while transferring to our Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services.

28,600

New jobs

Are set to be created for emergency medical services in the next 10 years!

7%

Job Growth

Is predicted for the emergency medical services occupations.

$46,770

Average Salary

Is the estimated annual salary of Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics.

$17.76

Per Hour

Is the average hourly wage for emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

    • As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
    • As per BLS the median annual wage for paramedics was $46,770 in May 2021.

Why Pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services.

Students practice clinical, interpersonal, and professional medical skills in this two-year associate degree program to become qualified Paramedic professionals. The degree allows students to:

    • Prepare to sit for the National Registry exam and other state licensure examinations.
    • Prepare to become a skilled Paramedic trained in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.
    • Strengthen critical thinking for wise clinical judgment.
    • Learn job-critical Paramedic skills.

Train to Become a Paramedic with an Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services

Are you interested in pursuing a high-paying career in advanced emergency care? Blue Ridge CTC’s associate degree in Emergency Medical Services provides core knowledge and practical skills via laboratory and field experience to prepare students for the medical workforce.

Throughout the Emergency Medical Services program, students practice and enhance their clinical, cognitive, critical thinking, communication, and motor skills required for effective caregiving. This degree teaches how to deal with extreme medical conditions in real healthcare facilities. Upon successful completion of the program, students are prepared to sit for the National Registry Exam for Paramedics and other state licensure exams.

Earn this degree from our School of Allied Health Sciences.

2-year

Degree Program

Formats

On-campus

60

Credit Hours

Ready to Enroll?

Apply Now

campusIconWhite3

What Will You Learn - Curriculum Overview

With Blue Ridge CTC’s Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services, students experience insightful lectures and clinical rotations to develop skills for performing in real medical emergency scenarios. Graduates may pursue careers as paramedics, firefights, or medical instructors.

The degree teaches core concepts including human anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of emergency medical services, pathology of shock and trauma, and other concepts necessary to be successful in paramedicine. The curriculum allows students to:

    • Obtain fundamental Emergency Medical Services Knowledge.
    • Learn interpersonal, communication, and motor skills to easily communicate and provide care to the patient.
    • Improve abilities such as mobility, hearing, visual and tactile to perform all medical procedures efficiently.
    • Perform patient assessment and deliver medication according to protocol.

     

    Paramedic Program Outcomes:

    CAAHEP Accredited Paramedic Programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

    The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2022.

    The most recent success rate for the National Registry of EMT Paramedic/State Cognitive exam was 50%.

    The most recent positive placement rate for graduates was 100%. Positive placement is defined by the CoAEMSP as ‘Employed full or part-time in a related field and/or continuing his/her education and/or serving in the military’. Positive placement is measured at the completion of the program.

    The most recent retention rate was 88.9%.

     

    Blue Ridge CTC Paramedic Program Goal

    To prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.

View Catalog

Build Your Future With Blue Ridge CTC

Blue Ridge CTC offers a holistic, industry-focused approach to learning, leading to a path-breaking career and continuing education opportunities

  • Icon 1

    4000+

    Students Per Semester

  • Icon 2

    60+

    Degree & Certificate Programs

  • Icon 3

    14:1

    Student-Faculty Ratio

  • Icon 4

    CAAHEP

    Accredited

Ready for More Information?

Schedule a Virtual Appointment

Ready to Visit Campus?

Schedule a Campus Tour

What You Experience at Blue Ridge CTC

Blue Ridge CTC acts as a catalyst to career goals, gives students exposure to real-time career prospects, and provides a learning environment supporting personal and professional growth.

World-class Pedagogy That Shapes Future Leaders!

Effective faculty is the backbone of any school. Our faculty are committed teachers and scholars who:

Deliver real-world learning to shape a students’ job market competency.

Impart teaching that promotes creativity and sets the base for further 4-year programs.

Extend a smart learning model that raises job prospects.

Integrate best-in-class learning formats and resources to drive focused learning.

Student Support Services and Spaces for Balanced Learning!

We provide comprehensive Student Support Services to promote student success.

Student Services provides a variety of support, including tutoring, accessibility accommodations, and more!

We provide high-tech classes, supporting labs, and study areas to promote a balanced education.

We recognize talent and celebrate performance with awards and acknowledgments.

We have supportive staff to help with personal, professional, and academic challenges.

Placement Assistance to Nurture Careers!

We support students from admission through the career search! Career Services assists students:

Find the right kind of job with a career inventory assessment.

Get assistance on resume writing and referral to participating employer partners.

With interview preparation to boost their morale and get prepared with the right narration to win job negotiations.

Get a holistic learning environment, where they are nurtured to become the next set of professionals entering the workforce.

Promoting Equity to Develop an Intercultural College Environment!

As a community of students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, we strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campuses, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Campus diversity encourages open dialogue on campus.

Equity removes barriers and ensures equal opportunities are afforded to all.

Our campus offers an inclusive, welcoming environment where all are valued, celebrated, and included.

The campus community promotes diversity and inclusion through a variety of speakers and events.

Hands-on Training and Internship Opportunities

We are committed to providing students with real-time training and internship opportunities to enter the workforce directly after graduating.

We provide industry expert instruction to strengthen job-specific skills needed for real-world challenges.

We assist students with internship opportunities to find their way to a successful career.

We provide industry-certified expert supervision and guidance to raise students’ job prospects in the Government and Private sectors.

Our campus is well equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, machinery, hardware, and software required to provide the technical skills needed for real jobs.

Our Learner’s Voice!

Learn more about alumni who successfully reached their goals by earning an education at Blue Ridge CTC!

Rectangle-129 Icon Rectangle-130 Icon

Worried About Paying for College? Many Options Exist for Financial Aid.

Blue Ridge CTC provides need-based financial aid to qualified applicants, ensuring all students have equal access to quality education.

Whether you are a student worrying about tuition fees or are a parent assisting a child paying for college, we have a wide variety of financial resources available.

    • State and Federal Grant Programs
    • Student Work-Study Opportunities
    • Student Loans
    • Special Grant Funding Opportunities
    • Blue Ridge CTC Foundation Scholarship opportunities

Get Financial Aid

Have Questions? Talk With an Admissions Counselor Today!

Admissions Counselors and Academic Advisors at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College help students navigate career paths throughout their academic career.

fromImg
Rectangle-129 Icon Rectangle-130 Icon

Expand Your Choices

Explore other program options that may meet your skills, talents, and personal qualities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about the Emergency Medical Services program? We can help!

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an 11% increase in EMTs and Paramedics occupations is expected for the next ten years. This two-year, economical, flexible degree can help prepare students to sit for national and state licensure exams. Students pursue pathways for employment in well-paying professions as Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, Firefighter Paramedic, etc.
The Paramedic associate degree at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College provides a pathway to career goals in approximately two years. You obtain real-world knowledge that prepares you to enter a career as a Paramedic. State and national licensure exams are required to pursue a career pathway as a Paramedic. Blue Ridge CTC’s program includes practical and clinical knowledge to successfully prepare students to sit for examinations.
Admission requirements for the Blue Ridge CTC include a high school diploma or equivalent and a complete application packet. Students who have earned credits at other Colleges or Universities must also provide official copies of those transcripts. There is also a $25 application fee that can be paid at any time after submitting the application.
Blue Ridge CTC’s associate degree in Emergency Medical Services does not require ACT or SAT scores to qualify for admission. Students may need ACT or SAT scores, or free placement testing to qualify for courses such as English, Math, or Chemistry. Placement testing can be scheduled at any time during the application process.
With an Emergency Medical Services degree, you learn human anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of emergency medical services, pathology of shock and trauma, and much more. The degree equips learners with hands-on skills to handle the pressure of providing medical care in a high-stress environment.

Disclaimer

Note: All salary projections are based on the current position and educational needs. BRCTC cannot guarantee that job titles or the projections given will be the salaries students or graduates will ultimately receive. Two year completion is approximate and based on full-time enrollment. Student testimonials, income statements, and examples on the College website are the results of real students. These testimonials are not intended to guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results. Each individual’s success depends on his or her desire, commitment, dedication, and motivation to pursue academic and workforce opportunities. Testimonials are not intended to create a contract between a student and the College.

Increase Font SizeDecrease Font Size