The paramedic field could be a great fit for you! Ivy Tech’s Paramedic Science program teaches students the essential skills they’ll use on the job.
This program is physically and mentally demanding but can be highly rewarding for the student who is passionate about becoming a Paramedic. This program goes beyond textbooks as students receive training from highly skilled professionals who are still active in the field. You'll receive a careful mix of lectures, demonstrations, in-class skill practice sessions, and clinical rotations.
Here’s what you’ll do in classes:
Learn from some of the state’s finest paramedics.
Intern in patient care settings and complete 400 hours of hands-on work experience.
Learn on-the-job skills through 360 hours of clinical experience.
Study key subject matter such as trauma, cardiology, pre-hospital pharmacology, air medical, ambulance operation, and more.
This is a selective admissions program, which means that we can only accept a small number of students each year. This allows us to keep our classes small, ensuring students receive the best training possible.
Career Options
Paramedics respond to 911 calls, give care to patients in emergency situations, and transport them safely to a hospital for further treatment. They don’t just work in ambulances though! Paramedics help save lives on cruise ships and helicopters and in industrial facilities and hospitals.
There’s currently a shortage of qualified paramedic professionals, so these roles are in high demand.
After completing the Ivy Tech Paramedic Science program, you’ll be qualified for the following roles:
Paramedic
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Ambulance Paramedic
Firefighter Paramedic
Tactical Paramedic
Emergency Room Paramedic
Wilderness Paramedic
Transfer as a Junior
The Ivy Tech Paramedic Science program is partnered with two universities so you can seamlessly transfer your credits to complete a bachelor’s degree. Learn more about transfer options.
Degree Types Offered
Credential Type
Associate Degree – Transferable or Career-Ready
Long-Term Certificate
– known as a Technical Certificate (TC)
Short-Term Certificate
– known as a Certificate (CT)
Note: Program availability varies by location and not all program tracks are offered at each campus/location.
HOW TO APPLY
Future Students
Students interested in the Paramedic Science program must apply to Ivy Tech first using the Ivy Tech general application. In this application, apply for the Healthcare Specialist program with an interest in Paramedic Science. Apply to Ivy Tech Now
The Paramedic Science program at Ivy Tech has a selective admissions process, which means not all students who apply to the program will be accepted. Details vary according to campus. Learn More about Selective Admissions
Associate Degree – Transferable or Career-Ready
The Associate of Applied Science in Paramedic Science gives you the tools to begin a fulfilling career as a Paramedic. You'll learn from local industry leaders and get hundreds of hours of hands-on experience. When students become eligible for graduation, they can take the National Registry Paramedic exam. Passing this exam qualifies you for work as a Paramedic. Ivy Tech Paramedic Science AAS graduates go on to work for some of the best hospitals and EMS providers in the state.
Ivy Tech credits can transfer to many four-year universities, but the Paramedic Science program has two specific agreements in place with universities to ensure all of your credits transfer seamlessly. Our partnering universities are:
Speak more with your advisor if you would like to explore continuing your education after Ivy Tech.
Time to Complete
The Associate of Applied Science in Paramedic Science takes six semesters, or two years, to complete. This includes courses in Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.
Earn a Certificate on Your Way to an Associate Degree
Students are welcome to begin their Ivy Tech journey by pursuing their associate degree. However, you may wish to pursue a short- or long-term certificate first, so you can quickly start working in the paramedic industry while you finish pursuing an associate degree. At Ivy Tech, we call this stacking your credentials because students can apply credits from a previously earned short-term certificate or a long-term certificate to their requirements for an associate degree to avoid duplicating the time, effort, and money put into earning a certificate.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 66.5 credit hours, including:
Long-Term Certificate
known as a Technical Certificate (TC)
The Paramedic Science Technical Certificate (TC) program prepares you for work as a Paramedic. You'll learn through a mix of classroom lectures and field experience. Students graduate with the skills needed to succeed as Paramedics.
The Paramedic Science TC program can be completed in three semesters, or about a year and a half.
Building on Your Certificate
If your goal is to earn an associate degree in Paramedic Science, you can earn this certificate on your way. The certificate is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level paramedic careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate if your plan includes working while you’re in school.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 55 credit hours.
Short-Term Certificate
known as a Certificate (CT)
The EMT / Basic Emergency Medical Studies Certificate (CT) program prepares you for work as an EMT, as EMT certification as part of the program's curriculum. This certificate is also a prerequisite to applying for the Paramedic Studies AAS degree.
The EMT / Basic Emergency Medical Studies CT program can be completed in one semester.
EMT Course Could be Free!
The EMT course PARM 102 is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible to get part (8 credits) of your CT for free if you fulfill the following Next Level Jobs requirements:
Are an Indiana resident
Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelors, masters, etc.)
If your goal is to earn an associate degree in Paramedic Science, you can earn this certificate on your way. The certificate is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level paramedic careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate if your plan includes working while you’re in school.
Required Courses
Graduates typically must complete a total of 8 credit hours. Some campuses do offer a 16-week course (PARM 106) during the summer semester, which makes the program 7.5 credits total.
The paramedic field can be a great fit for those who are compassionate and discerning, as these roles provide opportunities to help others and require an ability to respond to emergencies quickly.
Paramedics work in the following environments: hospitals, firehouses, wilderness, helicopters, private ambulances, and municipal ambulances. They’ll also work on private and industrial EMS response teams.
Thinking this could be the career for you? Here are some traits and skills you’ll want to possess:
Compassion
Communication
Interpersonal skills
Problem-solving skills
Physical fitness
Emotion regulation
Ability to remain calm under pressure
Active listening
Sound Like You?
If you identify with the traits above, paramedic science may be the path for you! Take the next step to get started or speak with your local advisor to learn more.
The Ivy Tech Paramedic Science program can be academically demanding, but rewarding for the right student. Before you apply, review the following requirements and expectations for students in the program.
Time Commitment
The Paramedic Science associate degree program is a large commitment. Students must be enrolled as full-time students with daytime courses. Students may also need to schedule additional general education courses each semester. It is essential that you plan for the same amount of study time as class time per week. Paramedic Science course schedules and assignment due dates will not be adjusted to accommodate individual work schedules.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all course meetings. Attendance is necessary to maximize student-learning opportunities. Students who are absent are responsible for missed material. Clinical courses require that the student be present to effectively evaluate successful achievement of clinical course objectives and concepts, as clinical course objectives cannot be accomplished or evaluated outside the clinical setting. There are no make-up sessions for missed clinical hours; therefore, regular clinical attendance is mandatory for successful clinical course and program completion.
Students will be required to provide their own transportation to and from clinical sites. Schedules vary based on campus. Please reach out to your campus of interest to learn more about meeting times and dates.
Mandatory Drug and Criminal Background Screenings
Students will be required to complete a background screening, drug screening, and required vaccinations (including COVID) upon acceptance into the program.
Connect with the Financial Aid team at your home campus to find out if you can receive financial aid for the program of your choice. Make sure that you have completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by the established deadlines to be considered for financial aid assistance.
Completion of the following required prerequisite courses with a passing grade is required for admission to the Paramedic Science programs:
APHY 101
PARM 102 (or PARM 103 and PARM 104 combined)
Students must meet the requirements outlined in the Essential Functions document.
Transfer Credit for Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite courses completed at colleges other than Ivy Tech will only be considered for general education selection points if transfer credit has been awarded and courses appear on the Ivy Tech transcript prior to the application deadline.
TR grades are not recognized by the online application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that transfer credit has been awarded and that TR grades are updated to transfer letter grades (TA, TB, TC) on their Ivy Tech transcript.
It is recommended that college transcripts be submitted to the Registrar’s office for evaluation and transfer credit at least four weeks prior to the program application deadline to ensure adequate time for processing.
Paramedic Science Courses
Descriptions of Paramedic Science courses can be found in our online course catalog:
See when specific courses will be offered by searching our course list in Schedule Builder. First, select the semester you’re looking for and then enter the name of the course in the search bar.
If you’re a current student, upcoming courses are easy to find in Schedule Builder in MyIvy.
Course Formats
Due to the hands-on nature of this program, Paramedic Science courses are only offered in person. But, students can complete some general education coursework online.
Step 1
Apply to Ivy Tech
Students interested in the Paramedic Science program must first submit the Ivy Tech general application and complete requirements for admission to the college. During this application, you should apply for the Healthcare Specialist program with an interest in Paramedic Science. Admission to the college does not ensure acceptance to a health science program, but students can be working on prerequisite courses for the Paramedic Science program after admission to the college and before applying to the program itself.
Following completion of prerequisite courses, you may apply for the Paramedic Science program through the online application for health science programs. Students must have a GPA of 2.5 out of a 4.0 scale at the end of the spring semester in order to be accepted. Students who have not completed their prerequisites by the application deadline below should contact their local program chair to apply instead of using the online application.
Please note that the Paramedic Science program is a selective admission program, which means there are a limited number of spots each year.
The Paramedic Science program begins each fall and spring. The application windows are March 15 to May 15 and September 15 to October 15.
Filling Out the Paramedic Science Online Application
If you are not a current Ivy Tech Community College student, please Apply Now. You will need a C# (Ivy Tech student ID number) and Ivy Tech single sign-on login credentials in order to apply.
Gather all required or optional documentation that you will need to upload into the system. View more about requirements here. You will have the ability to save your application in progress until you are able to secure documentation.
If you are transferring from another institution, please make sure that your transcripts are evaluated at least 4 weeks prior to the application deadline.
Check to make sure your personal information is accurate.
Select the programs and campuses you would like to be considered as an applicant. You can select up to three different programs and three different campuses. (Some students choose to apply to multiple programs within the School of Health Sciences.)
You must meet all of the prerequisites for a program in order to submit your application. If you receive a message indicating that you do not meet the prerequisites, then please remove that program selection in order to proceed with the application.
Upload any necessary documents.
Make sure grades in the system are accurate. If not, please contact your home campus registrar or advisor.
You will be able to submit your application if you are currently enrolled in a course identified as a prerequisite for the program.
Once complete, submit your application.
You will receive an email confirmation in your Ivy Tech email account that your application has been submitted and is pending review.
Once you have submitted your application, you have the option to reopen it to make changes.
Note: DO NOT USE THE “BACK” function on your computer. Use the navigation pane at the side of the page to navigate.
To learn more about the Health Sciences and Nursing application process, watch the below video, read the FAQ, or contact your campus of interest.
Offers of Admission
Students can select up to three programs and three campuses each on the application. Offers of acceptance are for a specific program and campus. The offers are determined through eight rounds of auto-selection and six rounds of manual selection.
If a student is accepted, they will receive an email from the online application system to their Ivy Tech email account offering a seat in the program. Offers are emailed beginning within one week of the application close date and continue until program capacity is met or one week before the start of semester classes. Each round of offers begins at 6:00 am and applicants have until 11:59 pm the following day to either accept or reject an offer.
Depending on their rank and offers, a student could potentially receive multiple offers. Once one offer is accepted, the student is immediately withdrawn from all other offers and will be contacted by the chair or dean of the program with information about the program orientation date, time, and location.
If a student fails to respond, then the offer expires. If a student rejects an offer three (3) times, the application is removed from the auto-selection application pool but will then be available for manual selection rounds that occur later in the process.
Students do have the ability to withdraw an application at any point during the admission cycle. However, once an application is withdrawn, another one cannot be submitted until the next application cycle.
After You're Accepted
If you are accepted into the program—first off, congratulations!—you will be required to attend an orientation session at your local campus during the summer semester prior to beginning classes. An email will be sent following your acceptance with details about the session.
What If I Don’t Get Admitted?
The Paramedic Science program does not maintain a waitlist. Non-admitted applicants can reapply in the next application cycle, but we recommend that they meet with an advisor to begin planning and preparing for the reapplication process. Advisors can also assist students in exploring other programs of interest in Ivy Tech’s School of Health Sciences if they have applied several times and have not been accepted into the program.
What is Selective Admission?
The Paramedic Science program is a selective admissions program. Due to the nature of this program and the high number of applications received, we are only able to accept a small number of students each year.
Weighted Point System
A weighted point system is used to evaluate applicants for admission. Student applications are assigned points based on their grades in prerequisite courses. Point totals for applicants receiving admission offers will vary between campuses. Point totals are not shared.
If there is a tie, the tiebreaker will be determined by the student's Ivy Tech GPA from the spring semester.
General Education Weighted Point System
When multiple course attempts are reported on applicant transcripts (including transcripts from other colleges and universities), the highest earned grade of the first three attempts will be used for the selection decision score through the application period. Points for courses transferred from other institutions will be awarded from the grade recorded on the transcript from the other institution provided transfer credit appears on the Ivy Tech transcript.
Positive Placement Rate: as defined by CAAHEP based on graduates of the paramedic program who report working in either a full-time or part-time position as a paramedic within 12 months of graduation, continuing their education, or serving in the military. 100% (3 year, 2020-2022 rate = 100%)
The Ivy Tech Bloomington Paramedic Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
The Ivy Tech Evansville Paramedic Science 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).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 727-210-2350 www.caahep.org
*Note those who achieve paramedic licensure achieve 100% job placement
**NREMT only counts the first three (3) attempts as successful in the Pass Rate percentage; often students pass in the final three (3) attempts.
The Ivy Tech Fort Wayne Paramedic Science 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).
Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 9355 – 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775 (727) 210-2350 www.caahep.org
*Note those who achieve paramedic licensure achieve 100% job placement
The Ivy Tech Community College-Indianapolis Paramedic program has been issued a Letter of Review by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). This letter is NOT a CAAHEP accreditation status, it is a status signifying that a program seeking initial accreditation has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the accreditation standards through the Letter of Review Self Study Report (LSSR) and other documentation. Letter of Review is recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for eligibility to take the National Registry's Paramedic credentialing examination(s). However, it is NOT a guarantee of eventual accreditation.
The Ivy Tech Indianapolis Paramedic Science program is in the process of obtaining fully accredited status 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).
Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)9355 – 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775 (727) 210-2350 www.caahep.org
Mark Fair, AS, BS, NREMT-P, PI, Program Chair Mfair2@ivytech.edu 765-252-5576
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Graduation
Year
Retention
NREMT Pass Rate
Job Placement
2022
82%
83%
*100%
2021
100%
80%
*100%
2020
75%
80%
*100%
2019
77%
70%
*100%
* Note: Those who achieve paramedic licensure achieve 100% job placement.
The Ivy Tech Kokomo Paramedic Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
The Ivy Tech Madison Paramedic Science 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).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 727-210-2350 www.caahep.org
86% cumulative pass rate for the 2020-2022 cohorts.
Pass Rate for Graduates – NREMT skills exam
100% cumulative pass rate for the 2020-2022 cohorts.
Positive Placement Rate: As defined by CAAHEP based on graduates of the paramedic program who report working in either a full-time or part-time position as a paramedic within 12 months of graduation, continuing their education, or serving in the military.
100% (3 year, 2020-2022 rate = 100%)
The Ivy Tech South Bend Paramedic Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Retention Rate The retention rate for 2022 cohort students admitted to the paramedic program was 91.7%.
Pass Rate for Graduates – NREMT Cognitive (Written) Exam The pass rate for the NREMT cognitive paramedic exam for the 2022 student cohort was 72.7%.
Pass Rate for Graduates – NREMT Psychomotor (Skills) Exam The pass rate for the NREMT psychomotor paramedic exam for the 2022 student cohort was 100%.
Positive Placement Rate The positive placement rate*, as defined by CAAHEP based on graduates** of the paramedic program who are reporting working in either a full-time or part-time position as a paramedic within 12 months of graduation, continuing their education, or serving in the military for the 2022 cohort was 81.8%.
*Positive placement for graduates who subsequently pass their NREMT testing is 100% **Graduate is defined as a student who has completed all requirements to be allowed to sit for the NREMT Cognitive and Psychomotor Skills Exams.
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 Ivy Tech Terre Haute Paramedic Science program 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).
Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 9355 – 113th St. N, #7709 | Seminole, FL 33775 (727) 210-2350 | www.caahep.org
The Ivy Tech Valparaiso Paramedic Science 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).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 727-210-2350www.caahep.org
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Advising Team Tricia Miracle 812-265-2580 ext. 4137 tmiracle2@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 812-510-3844 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Wednesdays 9:00am-1:00pm & Thursdays 2:00pm-5:30pm Zoom Link
Lisa Kelley 812-265-2580 ext. 4163 lkelley3@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 502-414-1597 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Tuesdays 1:30pm-5:00pm & Thursdays 8:30am-12:00pm Zoom Link
Starting Oct. 28th Tuesdays: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other days by appointment from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. **Special Saturday December 7 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1 Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage estimates: Indiana.(2023). Lightcast™, lightcast.io. Occupational Overview for Indiana, 2023-2024
2 Associate degree cost is determined by tuition for an in-state, full-time student. Certificate and technical certificate costs are determined by tuition for an in-state, part-time student. Additional fees may be applied. Visit the Tuition & Fees page to learn more.
