Santa Rosa Junior College Paramedic Academy
Lead on the Front Lines of Emergency Medicine
Paramedics represent the pinnacle of prehospital clinical care. When critical illness or catastrophic trauma strikes, paramedics bring the diagnostic capabilities, advanced pharmacology, and decisive interventions of an emergency department directly to the patient's side—wherever and whenever that call comes.
As a paramedic, you are the clinical authority and team leader in uncontrolled, dynamic environments. You will interpret complex 12-lead electrocardiograms, initiate emergency pharmacotherapy, secure difficult airways, manage acute pediatric crises, and direct cardiac arrest resuscitations when seconds matter most. At the SRJC Paramedic Academy, we combine immersive simulation, active clinical practice, and rigorous field mentorship to transform skilled EMTs into confident, compassionate, and uncompromising advanced life support professionals.
NREMT Pass Rate
Cognitive & psychomotor first-attempt pass rate (2024 cohort).
Positive Placement
Graduates employed actively in paramedic service within six months (2023 cohort).
Months to Completion
Intensive cohort training blending classroom, hospital, and field ALS units.
Upcoming Application Window
Applications for the January cohort are accepted annually between August 3 and September 3. Complete all prerequisites and assemble transcripts prior to submission.
Workforce Demand & Career Trajectory
Paramedic Career Outlook & Earnings
Paramedics are in sustained, high demand across Northern California and nationwide. As Advanced Life Support (ALS) clinicians, graduates step into a high-mobility job market spanning 911 municipal systems, fire departments, private ambulance agencies, hospital emergency departments, and aeromedical flight crews.
| Labor Market | Estimated Earnings Range* | Projected Outlook | Primary Industry Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoma County & North Bay Santa Rosa MSA | $34.00 – $48.00 / hr ($75,000 – $105,000+ gross annualized) | Very High Demand Regional staffing shortages | 911 Contract Ambulance (SCFD-EMS), Fire-Based EMS, Regional Hospitals, Aeromedical Transport |
| California Statewide CA EDD Data | $29.00 – $42.00 / hr ($65,000 – $92,000+ mean base) | Steady / Strong High turnover & retirement backfill | Municipal & County Fire Agencies, Third-Service EMS, Private Ground Transport, Hospital Systems |
| National Average U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | $24.00 – $28.00 / hr ($53,000 – $58,000 national median) | 5% – 6% Growth ~18,000 openings/year | Ambulance Services, Local Government / Fire Protection, Outpatient Care, Critical Care Transport |
*Note on Prehospital Compensation: Emergency medical providers frequently work 12-hour, 24-hour, or 48-hour rotations that include mandatory, built-in FLSA overtime. Consequently, actual gross annual earnings for full-time practicing paramedics routinely exceed standard 40-hour hourly base projections.
Where Will Your Paramedic License Take You?
Prerequisites & Entry Requirements
- Anatomy & Physiology: Completion of SRJC
ANAT 40(with lab) or equivalent (ANAT 58,ANAT 1) prior to start date. - Basic Arrhythmia Recognition: Completion of SRJC
EMC 114(~32 hours) or institutional equivalent. - EMT Certification: Current California EMT card (preferred) or current NREMT certificate.
- BLS Provider Card: AHA Healthcare Provider or equivalent with in-person skills verification (online-only cards not accepted).
- Transcripts: High school diploma, GED, or 12+ completed accredited college units. Unofficial transcripts accepted during application.
Admission Sequence
- Online Application: Submit between August 3 and September 3, uploading all prerequisite documentation.
- EMC 109 Assessment: Attend a one-day readiness evaluation covering fundamental EMT knowledge and psychomotor skills in late October.
- Admission Offer: Score a "C" or better in EMC 109 to qualify (a lottery is utilized if qualified applicants exceed capacity).
- Onboarding & Clearances: Complete background checks, drug screenings, and clinical immunization verifications prior to January.
Curriculum Structure & Rotations
| Phase | Setting | Schedule & Expectations |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Didactic & Lab Immersion Spring & Fall Terms | Public Safety Training Center (Windsor) | Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, plus select evening/weekend sessions. Requires 32–40 hours per week of dedicated study. |
| 2. Hospital Clinical Rotations Concurrent & Summer Sessions | Regional Acute Care Centers | Runs concurrently with didactic terms and through summer sessions; shifts scheduled by preceptor and department availability. |
| 3. ALS Field Internship January through Summer Months | Frontline 911 Transport Units | Full-time immersion operating as primary ALS lead paramedic under preceptor supervision in emergency response. |
Tuition, Direct Fees & Expenses
Tuition and enrollment fees are billed on a per-unit basis through Santa Rosa Junior College.
| Semester | Course | College Fees* | Material Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | EMC 161: Paramedic Theory 1 (8 units) | $404.00 | $0.00 | $404.00 |
| Spring 1 | EMC 161L: Paramedic Lab 1 (4 units) | $188.00 | $491.00 | $679.00 |
| Summer | EMC 131A: Paramedic Field Practicum 1 (2 units) | $118.00 | $21.75 | $139.75 |
| Fall | EMC 131B: Paramedic Clinical Practicum 2 (3 units) | $169.00 | $21.75 | $190.75 |
| Fall | EMC 162: Paramedic Theory 2 (8 units) | $376.00 | $0.00 | $376.00 |
| Fall | EMC 162L: Paramedic Lab 2 (4 units) | $165.00 | $491.00 | $656.00 |
| Spring 2 | EMC 134: Paramedic Field Practicum (10 units) | $498.00 | $28.50 | $526.50 |
| Total Direct College Fees: | $2,972.00 | |||
*College fees include Student Representation, Health Services, Transportation, and Enrollment Fees. Out-of-state tuition, field platform fees, and uniforms are separate.
Total Estimated Program Cost
Including textbooks, uniforms, clinical tracking software, medical clearances, and field internship fees, total expenses average approximately $6,000 for California residents and $16,000 for non-residents (living expenses not included).
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Students frequently qualify for the California College Promise Grant (BOG Fee Waiver), the John L. McDonald M.D. Memorial Scholarship, and departmental safety endowments. Contact Financial Aid early.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time commitment for the Paramedic Academy?
Didactic classes meet at the Public Safety Training Center on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, alongside scheduled evening and weekend sessions. Outside of class, students spend an average of 32 to 40 hours per week studying.
Clinical rotations run concurrently with fall classes and continue through summer. Field internships are full-time commitments beginning in late spring, requiring complete alignment with your preceptor's shifts.
What if I don't have experience on an ambulance?
In field internships, you are evaluated on advanced diagnostics, pharmacology, and team leadership. Preceptors assume basic rig operations, radio reports, and EMT fundamentals are already second nature.
Learning basic EMT operations while executing advanced ALS interventions significantly increases difficulty. An optional BLS internship experience is offered through SRJC and is strongly recommended for students without field experience.
What is the stress level, and how will it affect relationships?
"Until you experience the stress of the Academy, there is truly no way you can be fully prepared for it."
Paramedic education is demanding mentally, physically, and emotionally. Ensure your family, partners, and personal support network understand the rigorous schedule and agree that this program must remain your primary focus for the entire year.
Can I apply if my prerequisites are currently in progress?
Yes. If you are completing Anatomy & Physiology or Basic Arrhythmia Recognition during the fall semester, you can submit during the August/September window. Note the courses in progress and expected completion dates; all official transcripts must be verified before academy orientation in mid-January.