The Paramedic technical certificate program is designed to prepare competent entry level graduates in emergency medical care to serve in emergency care settings such as an ambulance service. Using the most current U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum, discussions include the application of advanced patient assessment, problem recognition, and advanced treatment modalities. Clinical exposures in local hospitals assure appropriate experience in dealing with emergencies for all age groups including pediatrics and geriatrics.
The Paramedic program involves 43 course hours and takes three concurrent semesters (approximately 1 full year) after completion of the Advanced EMT curriculum. The summer term includes 12 credit hours of clinical training in the field
Those considering the Paramedic Technical Certificate program must be licensed as an AEMT in the state of Tennessee. Students are admitted to the Paramedic technical certificate program through a competitive selection process. The program is not open to general enrollment. Individuals wishing to be selected must complete the following application process:
- Tennessee-licensed AEMT applicants must complete this letter of interest Paramedic Application
- Apply to the College submitted
- Proof of immunity is required for MMR, Varicella Zoster (Chicken Pox), and Hepatitis B
- Meet the reading requirement of a 12th grade reading level by either:
- ACT
- SAT
- Compass or Accuplacer Test Score
- Successful completion of ENGL 1010
- Submit all transcripts from previous college-level courses to Admissions (as applicable)
- Complete an Advanced EMT Knowledge Examination
- Personal Interview
- Meet program-specific requirements
Important Dates and Application
Gallatin Campus
Next class starts May 2025 (Summer Semester); all future classes start the Summer Semester of that year.
Application Deadline: January 31st of that year.
Entrance Exams: February 1st - 16th
Interviews: March 6th & 7th
Selection: Last Week of March
These dates are subject to change based on the State EMS and VSCC Faculty schedules.
Cookeville Campus
Next class starts August 2025 (Fall Semester); all future classes start the Fall Semester of that year.
Application Deadline: April 30th of that year
Entrance Exams: Third week of May
Interviews: Fourth Week of May
Selection: First week of June
Montgomery County
Next class starts August 2025 (Fall Semester); all future classes start the Fall Semester of that year.
Application Deadline: April 30th of that year
Entrance Exams: Third week of May
Interviews: Fourth Week of May
Selection: First week of June
For questions, please reach out to the Program Director (615-230-3351) or Clinical Coordinator (615-230-3215).
Program Breakdown
First Semester (15 Hours)
| EMSP 1801* | Fundamentals of Paramedic I | 8 |
| EMSP 1401* | Paramedic Skills Lab I | 4 |
| EMSP 1311* | Paramedic Clinical I | 3 |
Second Semester (16 Hours)
| EMSP 2802* | Fundamentals of Paramedic II | 8 |
| EMSP 2402* | Paramedic Skills Lab II | 4 |
| EMSP 2412* | Paramedic Clinical Lab II | 4 |
Third Semester (12 hours)
| EMSP 2403* | Paramedic Capstone | 4 |
| EMSP 2303* | Paramedic Practicum | 3 |
| EMSP 2513* | Paramedic Field Internship | 5 |
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).
Get Started
To begin your journey, complete the Application for Admission.
To select your area of study on the application:
- For Paramedic Education:
- Select the "earn a degree" option, even if you’re pursuing the Paramedic certificate.
- Choose "I want to go straight to work" and then select "Health Sciences: EMT Paramedic." Note: You must hold an EMT Advanced license in Tennessee.
Accreditation
Volunteer State Community College 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 (CoAEMSP).
The program goals are:
To prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic educational programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Paramedic educational 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.
| Outcome | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retention (%) | 100 | 92.3 | 95.2 |
| NREMT or State Cognitive exam (%) | 100 | 97.2 | 89.7 |
| Placement (%) | 100 | 100 | 97.5 |
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
To contact CoAEMSP:
214-703-8445
www.coaemsp.org
