ParamedicProgram
Train to respond when it matters most. Earn your Paramedic AAS degree or Certificate and launch a career on the front lines of emergency medicine.
Why Paramedic at TSC?
A Career That Saves Lives
Paramedics are the specialists of pre-hospital emergency care — responding to critical calls, stabilizing patients, and making split-second decisions. TSC’s CAAHEP-accredited program prepares you for that responsibility from day one.
CAAHEP Accredited
Our program meets national accreditation standards through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Clinical & Field Experience
12-hour clinical shifts starting in late September plus a 500+ hour summer internship with a certified paramedic preceptor.
Two Campus Locations
Attend at Trinidad or Valley campus via telepresence technology — your region is considered when assigning clinicals.
Degree & Certificate Paths
Choose the AAS Degree (Associate of Applied Science) or the Paramedic Certificate depending on your goals and timeline.
Program Cost
Degrees & Certificates
Whether you want a full degree or a fast credential, every TSC program earns you industry certifications and every certificate stacks toward the degree.
AAS — Paramedic Degree
Build the comprehensive clinical, pharmacological, and leadership skills of a licensed paramedic over four semesters of theory, lab, and hands-on fieldwork. Prerequisites: ENG 1015/1020/1021/1022, MAT 1140, BIO 2101, BIO 2102, EMT-Basic certification with proof of IV certification.
Paramedic Certificate
A focused credential for students who have already completed their anatomy prerequisites and want to move into a paramedic role as quickly as possible. Prerequisites: BIO 2101, BIO 2102, EMT-Basic certification with proof of IV certification.
Where You Can Study
This program is offered at the following TSC campus locations.
Program Outcomes
CAAHEP / CoAEMSP Outcomes
CAAHEP-accredited and CoAEMSP Letter of Review programs track and report outcome measures annually. The most current report covers calendar year 2025.
100%
NREMT Paramedic / State Cognitive Exam success rate (most recent)
100%
Positive placement rate — employed, continuing education, or military service
Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) • Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) Letter of Review (LoR). Positive placement is defined by CoAEMSP as employed full or part-time in a related field and/or continuing education and/or serving in the military, measured at program completion.
Admission & Program Details
What to Expect
This is a once-a-year admission program beginning each August. Review the details below before applying.
Paramedic — Associate Degree
Required courses: ENG 1015, 1020, 1021, or 1022 • MAT 1140 • BIO 2101 • BIO 2102
Paramedic — Certificate
Required courses: BIO 2101 • BIO 2102
All Applicants
- EMT-Basic certification with proof of IV certification is required to enter. EMT level and experience will be considered.
- Preference is given to applicants within the Trinidad State serving area.
- GPA on prerequisite courses will be considered in the selection process.
- Once a year admission — program begins in August.
- Upon submission you will receive a checklist to guide you through the rest of the admission process.
- Theory, lab, and clinicals run August through May. Plan for at least 10 hours per week for lecture completion.
- Lectures are delivered via telepresence at the respective TSC campus. Tests are completed on computer before lab skills days begin.
- Lab skills days are every other week on Wednesday or Sunday (by class decision), 8 AM–4 PM. Location depends on the region of the majority of students.
- Clinicals are 12-hour shifts starting in late September through May. Residence area is considered for clinical assignment; however, travel from Colorado Springs through the San Luis Valley and into northern New Mexico may be required.
- Fall semester: 15 credit hours • Spring semester: 16 credit hours
Technology
This program requires access to technology and the internet. These resources can be accessed at the respective Trinidad State campus and other locations such as home or public libraries.
Progress Meetings
Throughout the program, scheduled meetings are held with instructors, the program director, students, and the medical director to ensure each student understands their progress and what is still needed to advance.
Paramedic Associate of Applied Science Degree
Click any semester to see the full course list.
Semester One
Required prerequisites covering English, math, a life science, and a communication or social science course — all completed before program admission.
*Required prior to program admittance.
Choose one: (3 credits)
- ENG 1015 – Technical English and Communication
- ENG 1021 – English Composition I: GT-CO1
- ENG 1020 – Technical Writing I: GT-CO1
Choose one: (3 credits)
- MAT 1140 – Career Math
- MAT 1240 – Mathematics for Liberal Arts: GT-MA1
- MAT 1260 – Introduction to Statistics: GT-MA1
- MAT 1340 – College Algebra: GT-MA1
Choose one: (4 credits)
- BIO 1006 – Basic Anatomy and Physiology (*Required prior to program admittance)
- BIO 2101 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab: GT-SC1 (*Required prior to program admittance)
- BIO 2102 – Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab: GT-SC1 (*Required prior to program admittance)
Choose one: (3 credits)
- COM 1150 – Public Speaking
- COM 1250 – Interpersonal Communication: GT-SS3
- PSY 1001 – General Psychology I: GT-SS3
- PSY 2440 – Human Growth and Developmnt: GT-SS3
- PSY 2222 – Psychology of Death and Dying: GT-SS3
Semester Two
Foundational paramedic training in practice, pharmacology, and medical emergencies — with both classroom and lab components — alongside a life science elective.
- EMS 2025 – Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice (3 credits)
- EMS 2026 – Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice - Lab (2 credits)
- EMS 2029 – Paramedic Pharmacology (3 credits)
- EMS 2030 – Paramedic Pharmacology Lab (2 credits)
- EMS 2033 – Paramedic Medical Emergencies (4 credits)
- EMS 2034 – Paramedic Medical Emergencies Lab (1 credit)
Choose one: (4 credits)
- BIO 1006 – Basic Anatomy and Physiology
- BIO 2101 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab: GT-SC1
- BIO 2102 – Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab: GT-SC1
Semester Three
Advanced paramedic training in cardiology, trauma, and special considerations — with dedicated lab components throughout — rounded out by a program elective.
- EMS 2031 – Paramedic Cardiology (5 credits)
- EMS 2032 – Paramedic Cardiology Lab (1 credit)
- EMS 2035 – Paramedic Trauma Emergencies (4 credits)
- EMS 2036 – Trauma Emergencies Lab (1 credits)
- EMS 2027 – Paramedic Special Considerations (3 credits)
- EMS 2028 – Special Considerations Lab (2 credits)
Choose one: (3 credits)
- DEPT 1010 – Option A Course Name
- DEPT 1020 – Option B Course Name
Semester Four
Hands-on paramedic internship experience across two clinical rotations, preceded by internship preparatory coursework.
- EMS 2037 – Paramedic Internship Preparatory (2 credits)
- EMS 2080 – Internship I: Paramedic (6 credits)
- EMS 2081 – Paramedic Internship II (6 credits)
Certificate Curriculum
A three-semester program progressing from paramedic fundamentals, pharmacology, and medical emergencies through advanced cardiology, trauma, and special considerations, culminating in an extensive two-part clinical internship.
Paramedic Certificate
A three-semester program progressing from paramedic fundamentals, pharmacology, and medical emergencies through advanced cardiology, trauma, and special considerations, culminating in an extensive two-part clinical internship.
Semester One (19 credits)
- EMS 2025 – Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice (3 credits)
- EMS 2026 – Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice - Lab (2 credits)
- EMS 2029 – Paramedic Pharmacology (3 credits)
- EMS 2030 – Paramedic Pharmacology Lab (2 credits)
- EMS 2033 – Paramedic Medical Emergencies (4 credits)
- EMS 2034 – Paramedic Medical Emergencies Lab (1 credits)
Choose one: (4 credits)
- BIO 1006 – Basic Anatomy and Physiology (*Required prior to program admittance)
- BIO 2101 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab: GT-SC1 (*Required prior to program admittance)
- BIO 2102 – Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab: GT-SC1 (*Required prior to program admittance)
Semester Two (16 credits)
- EMS 2031 – Paramedic Cardiology (5 credits)
- EMS 2032 – Paramedic Cardiology Lab (1 credit)
- EMS 2035 – Paramedic Trauma Emergencies (4 credits)
- EMS 2036 – Trauma Emergencies Lab (1 credit)
- EMS 2027 – Paramedic Special Considerations (3 credits)
- EMS 2028 – Special Considerations Lab (2 credits)
Semester Three (14 credits)
- EMS 2037 – Paramedic Internship Preparatory (2 credits)
- EMS 2080 – Internship I: Paramedic (6 credit)
- EMS 2081 – Paramedic Internship II (6 credits)
Where You'll Go
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Contact Us
Have questions about this program? Reach out to a faculty or staff member.
- TitleDean of Instruction
- DepartmentNursing
- LocationTrinidad, Colorado • 118 Davis
- EmailLoriRae.Hamilton@trinidadstate.edu