Paramedic Certificate

Program Start Date: Spring
Minimum Program Length: 58 academic weeks; 4 terms; 36 credits
Curriculum Code: 71231

Program Description

Students in the Paramedic Certificate program will receive training in advanced pre-hospital medical skills through extensive didactic coursework, psychomotor skills labs, clinical rotations, field experience and internship.

Practical Experience

Students will complete didactic courses as well as clinical rotations in the emergency department, ICU, operating room, trauma center, obstetrics, pediatrics and other areas. Students will also complete field experience and internship on a 911 ambulance in an Emergency Medical Services system.

Professional Opportunities

Paramedics can become field supervisors, operations managers, administrative directors, or executive directors of Emergency Medical Services systems. Many become instructors, dispatchers, or physician assistants; others move into sales or marketing of emergency medical equipment. Some individuals become EMTs and paramedics first and then further their education to become registered nurses, physician assistants, physicians, or other health care professionals.

Unique Aspects

A criminal background investigation (CBI) and drug testing are required at student expense for each Health and Human Services student who has been accepted into a Spartanburg Community College curriculum program of study. For more information, please visit the Criminal Background Investigations and Drug Testing Policy section of the SCC webpage.

Opportunity to challenge psychomotor and written certification examinations administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians is available to students who complete the paramedic certificate.

EEDA Career Cluster:

Health Sciences

Prerequisites:

• Students must have completed anatomy and physiology. This requirement can be satisfied by successfully completing the following courses:
  • BIO 112  
  • BIO 210  and BIO 211  
  • Similar courses approved by the Dean of Health and Human Services
• Must have documentation of current SC EMT certification
• Exemption credit for EMS 105  and EMS 106  will be awarded with documentation of current SC EMT certification. The SC EMT certification must remain valid the entire program.