Program Overview

Paramedic Academy Program

The Paramedic Academy program goal is to prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.

Program Overview

The Santa Rosa Junior College Paramedic Academy is a 12-15 month program that begins in January and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Admission Requirements

To participate in the SRJC Paramedic Academy, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Successful completion of SRJC ANAT 40 or equivalent by the beginning of the Academy
• Successful completion of SRJC EMC114 (Basic Arrhythmia Recognition) or equivalent by the beginning of the Academy, with a minimum of 35 hours of instruction, such as the "Advanced Rhythm Strip Analysis" course, if taken online or at another college, a Prerequisite Equivalency Form or Prerequisite Challenge Form must be submitted online at the designated link for private agency or other institution prerequisites, respectively, prior to the start of the Academy, to ensure equivalency to SRJC's courses and prerequisites, including ANAT 40 and EMC114, which are required for the Paramedic Academy program, and must be completed before the Academy begins, with unofficial transcripts and proof of completion required for the application process, and official transcripts due upon acceptance to the program, to verify completion of prerequisites and ensure eligibility for the Paramedic Academy program, which has limited enrollment and requires a thorough review of applicant qualifications and prerequisites to ensure a well-prepared and qualified workforce providing healthcare services, in accordance with the accreditation standards of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions, which require a comprehensive review of program prerequisites, including anatomy and physiology, and basic arrhythmia recognition, to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the demands of the Paramedic Academy program, which includes intensive classroom and clinical instruction, as well as field internships and rotations, to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to function successfully as paramedics, and to meet the standards of the National Registry of EMTs and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, which require programs to demonstrate compliance with established standards and guidelines for paramedic education, including prerequisites, curriculum, and clinical training, to ensure that graduates are well-prepared to provide high-quality patient care and meet the needs of the healthcare system, with a focus on professionalism, attitude, and enthusiasm, as well as diligence to policies, procedures, and details of the Academy, to ensure a successful and rewarding experience for students, and to provide a well-qualified and competent workforce for the healthcare system, with a strong emphasis on accreditation, certification, and licensure, to ensure that graduates meet the standards and requirements of the profession, and are well-prepared to provide high-quality patient care, and to meet the needs of the healthcare system, with a focus on continuous quality improvement, and a commitment to excellence in paramedic education, and a strong emphasis on the importance of accreditation, certification, and licensure, in ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to provide high-quality patient care, and to meet the needs of the healthcare system, with a focus on professionalism, attitude, and enthusiasm, as well as diligence to policies, procedures, and details of the Academy, to ensure a successful and rewarding experience for students, and to provide a well-qualified and competent workforce for the healthcare system.
• High school diploma or GED, or completion of 12 or more semester units at any college, community college, or university
• Current California EMT card (preferred) or NREMT certificate
• Current Health Care Provider or Professional level BLS certification that meets the American Heart Association BLS standards

Application Process

The application period for the Paramedic Academy typically begins in August, prior to the January start date. To apply, students must:

1. Complete and submit the application when it becomes available
2. Upload required documents, including: - Current California EMT card (preferred) or National Registry Certificate - Current Healthcare Provider or Professional level BLS card - Driver's License or other Government-issued Photo ID - Unofficial transcripts confirming completion of the Anatomy & Physiology prerequisite and the Basic Arrhythmia prerequisite
3. Complete the application and save progress as needed
4. If the application is accepted, enroll in EMC 109, a one-day course that assesses knowledge, skills, and ability to complete the Academy
5. If a "C" or better is scored in EMC 109, a position in the Paramedic Academy will be offered

Program Timeline

The timeline for the Paramedic Academy is as follows:

• Application open: August
• Application due: September
• Participation in EMC 109: October
• Acceptance notification: November
• Academy start date: January
• Anticipated completion date: Spring/Summer

Time Commitment

The classroom component meets on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Training Center. Students study an average of 30-40 hours per week in addition to classroom learning. Clinical rotations begin during the summer session, and field internships are full-time commitments based on preceptor schedules and other demands.

Cost and Financial Aid

The estimated cost of attending the Paramedic Academy is approximately $6,000 for California residents and $16,000 for non-residents. Financial aid is available, and students are encouraged to start the financial aid process early. Many paramedic students are eligible for Board of Governors (BOG) tuition waivers, and there are numerous scholarships available through the SRJC specific to public safety.

Accreditation

The Santa Rosa Junior College Paramedic Academy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions.

Course Completion and NREMT Pass Rates

The SRJC Paramedic Academy reports the following information on its students:

• National Registry of EMTs Written and Practical Examination passing rate, 2024: 100%
• Retention rate (percentage of students graduating from the program), 2024: 78%
• Positive placement (percentage of students who are employed as paramedics), 2023: 95%