The Emergency Medical Technology program at Co-Lin prepares students for careers in the fast-paced and challenging field of emergency medicine. The college offers two levels of training: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic. EMTs and Paramedics provide immediate, life-saving care to the sick and injured.
EMTs are trained to provide basic emergency medical care. In many settings they are the first responder to arrive in an emergency. Although the ambulance is the primary setting where you will find EMTs, many firefighters, police officers, and industry safety professionals have this level of training. Graduates of the one-semester EMT course earn a certificate of completion and can test for the designation of Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician.
Paramedics have more advanced training and assessment skills than EMTs. They manage many emergencies including cardiac, respiratory, and trauma events. Paramedics are licensed to administer medication, perform and interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal intubations, and use other complex biomedical equipment. Like EMTs, most paramedics work on ambulances, however the opportunities for paramedics are growing to include off-shore paramedic, combat or swat medic, safety officer, and flight paramedic. Successful completion of the paramedic program leads to a certificate or an AAS degree.
EMT (W)
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) work as part of a team to render care to the sick or injured in emergency settings. EMTs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, industries, and ambulances. People’s lives often depend on their quick reaction and competent care.
This certificate program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform basic emergency care and transport. Successful completion of course requirements allows students to test for Emergency Medical Technician through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Special Admission Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age
- High School Diploma or GED
- Minimum ACT score of 16 required
- Current American Heart Association BLS Health-care provider card
- Present completed Health Occupation Examination form signed by a medical doctor stating the student is medically capable of the educational and job demands of an EMT and Paramedic
- Present current immunization record, including proof of negative TB skin test
- Complete the college’s Hepatitis B Policy form
- If accepted, complete drug and alcohol testing, criminal background check, and fingerprinting at the student’s expense and based on state rules and regulations
- If accepted, submit to substance abuse testing at any time
Additional Information
Paramedic (W)
A Paramedic is an allied health professional whose primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. Paramedics function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight. Paramedics perform interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an ambulance. They manage many emergencies including cardiac, respiratory, and trauma events. Paramedics are licensed to administer medication, perform and interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal intubations, and use other complex biomedical equipment. The Paramedic is a link from the scene into the healthcare system.
The Paramedic portion of the degree program is three semesters, starting in January each year and finishing in December*. To make attendance fit the busy schedules of our students, most classes are offered in a “Hy-Flex” format, meaning course content is delivered in both online and face-to-face settings.
The program draws its students from individuals already possessing a valid EMT state certification. Students must have completed Anatomy & Physiology I & Anatomy and Physiology II with a grade of C or better to be eligible to continue into the second semester of the paramedic core curriculum. Each student must be 18 years or older and possess a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Individuals that successfully satisfy all the requirements of the Paramedic program will be awarded a Certificate from Co-Lin. To be eligible for an Associate in Applied Science degree, the student must successfully complete the EMT course, all academic course requirements, and all paramedic courses.
For more information, contact the Career-Technical Counselor at 601.643.8324.
*After successful completion of all first-semester paramedic courses, Concepts of Traumatic Medicine Lecture and Lab (EMS 2743 & EMS 2752), and Fundamentals of Advanced EMT (EMS 1913), students are eligible to sit for the Advanced EMT National Registry Exam.
Program Goal
The goal of the Emergency Medical Technology Program is to prepare competent entry-level Emergency Medical Technician-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.
Special Admission Requirements
- Meet the general admission requirements of Co-Lin
- Complete an application packet for Emergency Medical Technology and submit all required documentation
- Must be 18 years of age upon entrance into the program
- High School Diploma or GED
- Minimum ACT score of 16 required
- Current American Heart Association BLS Health-care provider card
- Present completed Health Occupation Examination form signed by a medical doctor stating the student is medically capable of the educational and job demands of an EMT and Paramedic
- Present current immunization record, including proof of negative TB skin test
- Complete the college’s Hepatitis B Policy form
- Interview with Program Director/Advisory Committee
- If accepted, complete drug and alcohol testing, criminal background check, and fingerprinting at the student’s expense and based on state rules and regulations
- If accepted, submit to substance abuse testing at any time
- Must maintain a minimum grade average of 80 for continued enrollment and successful completion of the program
The Copiah-Lincoln Community College 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 Executive Office).
More information may be available about this accreditation status from CAAHEP:
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727.210.2350
Program Outcomes
Number of Graduates | Retention Rate | National Registry Pass Rate | Job Placement |
2023 | |||
7 | 70% | 100% | 100% |
2022 | |||
No graduates during the 2022 reporting year. | |||
2021 | |||
3 | 100% | 67% | 100% |
2020 | |||
3 | 100% | 100% | 100% |