Mar 19, 2026  
2025-2026 Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
2025-2026 Catalog and Student Handbook

Emergency Medical Services, Paramedic, AAS



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G3 Eligible Program- Qualifying students may have ZERO costs for tuition, fees, and textbooks. 
Learn more at https://www.brightpoint.edu/training-workforce/g3.

 

PURPOSE: This two-year degree prepares students for a job as a paramedic.  This degree is offered at the Chester Campus. All career-technical degrees are guided by advisory committees comprised of local business leaders.

CREDENTIALS: An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a major in a career-technical area that takes two years for full-time students to complete.  Although the purpose of an AAS degree is to gain skills for employment, some transfer institutions may accept some or all of the courses from an AAS major. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible for National registry testing and certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a certified Paramedic. Students must complete all the EMS and general education courses to be eligible to sit for the Paramedic exam.

REGIONAL RECIPROCITY:The College has entered into a regional reciprocity agreement through NC-SARA to accept out-of-state students (except for students residing in California) in our online programs and courses. Students may contact the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) at 804-225-2600 or communications@schev.edu for information related to state agency contacts for complaint resolution. General disclosure information about external certification or licensure requirements outside the state of Virginia may be found at www.brightpoint.edu/NC-SARA.   

TRANSFER INFORMATION: This program is not intended for transfer. Students desiring to transfer should consult their academic advisors and their intended transfer institutions for specific direction in program and course selection. More information can also be found at www.brightpoint.edu/academics/transfer/

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: By the completion of this program, students will be expected to demonstrate an intermediate level of competency in the following skills:

  1. Explain a comprehensive advanced assessment, physical exam, and appropriate management of a medical patient during EMS simulations.
  2. Demonstrate cognitive competency in airway management strategies based on patient presentation, pathophysiology, and current evidence-based practice.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of illness and injury to the prehospital and interfacility patient at the paramedic care level.
  4. Perform comprehensive patient assessment, formulate differential diagnoses, and implement evidence-based management plans in simulated and clinical environments.
  5. Demonstrate professional behavior, integrity, and accountability consistent with the expectations of the EMS profession in classroom, clinical, and field settings.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Students must meet Brightpoint admission requirements. New students should work with their New Student Navigator to get ready for their first semester. They can also email getstarted@brightpoint.edu for assistance. Continuing students should work with their faculty advisor on academic planning and graduation requirements. To be eligible to begin taking EMS courses, students are required to have transcripts of previous high school and college courses sent to Brightpoint Community College, and apply for admission to the program. Per Virginia OEMS Regulation students must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the beginning of any ALS certification program and hold, at a minimum, a high school or general equivalency diploma. EMT Certification is required in order to begin Advanced Life Support (ALS) courses.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Admission to the Paramedic Program is competitive and selective. All applicants must hold current Virginia certification as an AEMT or Intermediate (I-99), BLS/Healthcare Provider CPR from AHA, ARC, or ASHI, and meet all Brightpoint Community College admission requirements prior to applying. Per Virginia Office of EMS regulations, students must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the beginning of any ALS certification program and hold, at a minimum, a high school or general equivalency diploma.

Applicants must submit a completed Paramedic Program application by the published deadline, including documentation of current EMS certification, BLS for Healthcare Providers CPR certification, and any additional required materials. Qualified applicants will be invited to complete a brief cognitive and psychomotor assessment as part of the application process.

Admission decisions are based on review of credentials, prior academic performance, professional experience, and overall readiness for advanced paramedic-level education. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

SPECIAL ACCREDITATION STATUS:

The Brightpoint Community College Paramedic 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).

To contact CoAEMSP:

8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
FAX 214-703-8992
www.coaemsp.org

Program Outcomes for 2023

No enrolled program

 

Program Outcomes for 2024

NREMT Exam: 66.7%

Retention: 100%

Positive Job Placement: 75%

 

Program Outcomes for 2025 

NREMT Exam: 100%

Retention: 75%

Positive Job Placement: 100%

 

Required Courses


Total Minimum Credit to Complete: 65


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements can be found in course details.

Students are strongly encouraged to complete their ENG, BIO, and SDV requirements first.

Students should regularly meet with their faculty advisor and check their degree progress. Advisement reports can be accessed in the Student Information System (SIS) or the Academic Planner in Navigate.

Students must pass cognitive and practical capstone assessments to obtain eligibility to test NREMT for all certification levels.

EMT Certification is required to begin AEMT-level ALS courses. AEMT or Intermeditate certification is required to begin Paramedic-level ALS courses. 

The PHI 220  requirement may be satisfied by completing another 3-credit conceptual humanities course that offers breadth of knowledge, with program director or dean approval.

Students must complete all the EMS high-stakes examinations and courses with an 80% or higher to be eligible to sit for the Paramedic NREMT exam.

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