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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

What is the Paramedic Academy Program Goal?

The Paramedic Academy program goal is to prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.

 

When does the next SRJC Paramedic Academy begin?

SRJC holds one paramedic academy each year. The program begins in January, and generally takes 12-15 months to complete. 

 

What are the minimum requirements to participate in the SRJC Paramedic Academy?

1. Successful completion of SRJC ANAT 40 or equivalent by the beginning of the Academy. If you plan on taking an equivalent course either online or at another college, it must closely match the content and hours of ANAT 40, which is a one semester Anatomy and Physiology Course with lab. 

2. Successful completion SRJC EMC114 (Basic Arrhythmia Recognition) or equivalent by the beginning of the Academy. If you plan on taking an equivalent course either online or at another college, it must closely match the content and hours of EMC114, which is approximately 35 hours long. Additional information of equivalent courses can be found here.

3. If any prerequisites were taken at another educational institution, a Prerequisite Equivalency Form must be turned in online at:              

         http://admissions.santarosa.edu/prerequisite-equivalency-form 

         *If any prerequisites were taken at a Private Agency, a Prerequisite Challenge Form must be turned in online at: 

          https://admissions.santarosa.edu/prerequisitecorequisite-challenge-form 

4. Verification of the application and required documents, including: 

• High school diploma or GED. This is not necessary if you have completed 12 or more semester units at any college, community college, or university. 

• College transcripts, with evidence of successfully completing the above prerequisites. Unofficial copies are acceptable.   

• EMT course completion certificate. If submitting a course completion certificate from a non-SRJC EMT class, you will need to complete a course equivalency form. 

• Copy of a current California EMT card (preferred) or NREMT certificate.

• Copy of a current Health Care Provider or Professional level BLS certification.   

 

How do I apply for the Academy? 

The SRJC Paramedic Academy begins accepting applications in August before the January start date.  

• Complete and submit the application when it becomes available. 

• If your application is accepted, you will be enrolled in EMC 109. This one day course assesses your knowledge, skills and ability to complete the Academy. EMC 109 is held in early to mid-Fall. 

• If you score a "C" or better in EMC 109, you will be offered a position in the Paramedic Academy. If there are more qualified students than available positions, a lottery will be use to choose participants.  

• From the time you accept your offer and the beginning of the Academy, you will need to submit documentation related to immunizations, criminal background checks, and any remaining prerequisites that were in progress during the application period. 

• The program begins with the Spring semester, usually the third week of January. 

 

What is the time commitment for the Paramedic Academy? 

The classroom component meets Tuesday and Wednesday from 8am to 5pm at the Public Safety Training Center. There may be other days scheduled, including evening and weekends.  Students study an average of 30-40 hours per week in addition to classroom learning. There is no mechanism for leaves of absence.  There will be occasional online classes. 

Clinical rotations begin during the summer session. Schedules are set according to preceptor work schedules and other demands. Clinicals continue into the fall semester, concurrent with classroom time. Academy students are strongly encouraged to limiting their work schedules during the heavy part of the clinical rotation.  A consistent theme from graduates is to have your financial plans worked out ahead of time because the added stress of money and work may prevent you from successfully completing the program of study. 

Field internships are full time commitments, and based on preceptor schedules and other demands. These occur begin in the spring semester of year 2 and continue through the spring and possibly summer months, based on placement time and shift rotations. You are expected to attend your internship according to the preceptor schedule. There may be an extension of your internship based upon evaluation of your performance by the preceptor and program staff. 

 

What if i don't have experience on an ambulance? 

The field internship is challenging, even for an experienced EMT. Because you will be evaluated for paramedic knowledge and skills, it is expected that you can function as an EMT.  The learning curve will be very steep if you have to learn the job of the EMT as well as the paramedic.  A BLS work experience is available and strongly recommended for students without ambulance experience. These hours will be in addition to Academy requirements. 

 

What is the stress level and how will it affect my family and other relationships? 

Per feedback from past graduates: until you experience the stress there is no way you can be prepared for it.  It is very important that everyone important to you (family, friends, work) understand and accept the time and emotional commitment by you. Everyone must understand that paramedic education will be your priority over this next phase. 

 

What is the cost and is there financial aid? 

A representative breakdown of tuition and school fees is below. These costs are approximate, and can vary slightly from year to year.

Semester	Class	Tuition and School Fees	Material Fees	Total
Spring 1	EMC 133A: Paramedic Theory 1A	$471.50	$491 (Various apps, AHA cards, Photo ID, Physical training, Lab equipment)	$962.50
Spring 1	EMC 133B: Paramedic Theory 1B	$117.50	Fees included with EMC 133A	$117.50
Summer 1	EMC 131A: Paramedic Clinical Practicum 1	$117.00	$21.75 (Printing, Face Shields, Binders)	$138.75
Fall 1	EMC 131B: Paramedic Clinical Practicum 2	$167.00	$21.75 (Printing, Face Shields, Binders)	$188.75
Fall 1	EMC 133C: Paramedic Theory 2A	$376.00	$491 (Various apps, AHA cards, Photo ID, Physical training, Lab equipment)	$867.00
Fall 1	EMC 133D: Paramedic Theory 2B	$164.50	Fees included with EMC 133C	$164.50
Spring 2	EMC 134: Paramedic Field Practicum	$496.00	$28.50 (Printing, Face shields, Binders)	$524.50

In addition, you will need to budget additional funds for uniforms, textbooks, various personal items and a field internship fee, which vary greatly. It costs approximately $6000 to attend the Academy if you are a California resident; nonresidents pay about $16,000. This does not include your living expenses (rent, food, utilities, etc.) 

It the amount seems large, do not despair! Start the financial aid process early and be persistent.  There is an abundance of monies available and it requires effort on your part to go through the financial aid process.  Many paramedic students are eligible for Board of Governors (BOG) tuition waivers. Be sure to explore the John L. McDonald M.D. Memorial Scholarship.  There are numerous scholarships available through the SRJC specific to public safety. 

 

What is the hardest part of the Academy? 

There is no "hardest part" in a general sense.  You will experience challenges at some point along the way.  The more you are prepared to deal with the stress of an intensive, academically focused Academy, the better you will fare. 

 

What's the recipe for success? 

Professionalism, attitude and enthusiasm are all essential factors.  Be diligent to the policies, procedures and details of the Academy.  Keep these points in mind and find ways to continually motivate yourself. Practice time management and organizational skills.  This will be one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences of your life.  

 

Is the Academy accredited? 

Accreditation is the result of a process that assesses the quality of a program, measuring it against agreed upon standards, It assures that the program meets the standards. The standards have generally been developed by professionals within the discipline and are intended to reflect what a person needs to know and be able to do to function successfully within that profession. Accreditation within health-related disciplines also serves a very important public interest. Along with certification and licensure, accreditation is a tool intended to help assure a well prepared and qualified workforce providing health care services. 

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. 
 
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs  

9355 - 113th St. N, #7709  

Seminole, FL 33775 

Phone: 727-210-2350 www.caahep.org 
 
 

To contact CoAEMSP: 

Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions 

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

 

What are the Academy's course completion and NREMT pass rates? 

In accordance with CoAEMSP disclosure requirements, the SRJC Paramedic Academy reports the following information on its students: 

• National Registry of EMTs Written and Practical Examination passing rate, 2021: 100% 

• Retention rate (percentage of students graduating from the program), 2021: 78.3% 

• Positive placement (percentage of students who are employed as paramedics), 2021: 94.4% 

 

For further questions, please contact 

Georgia Pedgrift, EMC Administrative Assistant 

gpedgrift@santarosa.edu 

707-836-2921 

Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30am to 3pm