The Accelerated Paramedic program consolidates the didactic training into 12 weeks. Students attend class at McCook Community College for 40 hours per week.
Following successful completion of didactic requirements, students progress to clinical and field practicums and will complete a minimum of 230 hours in a clinical (hospital) environment and 300 hours of field internship. Accelerated paramedic students have one year to complete all program requirements.
When all course requirements are complete, students are eligible to sit for the National Registry Certification exam.
Academic awards include a diploma or an Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Medical Services.
Upcoming Classes:
August 18 – November 7, 2025
January 12 – April 3, 2026
May 11 – July 31, 2026
To prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
A seat reservation may be made for any session.
Prerequisite Courses
- BIOS 1100 – Basic Anatomy & Physiology (or equivalent) OR
- BIOS 2250 and BIOS 2260 – Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II (or equivalent)
Regardless of course taken, the student must pass with a C+ or above. - EMTL 1520 - Emergency Medical Technician I (4.0 credit hours)
- EMTL 1530 - Emergency Medical Technician II (4.0 credit hours)
- EMTL 1110 - American Heart BLS Provider (0.5 credit hours)
Due by First Day of Class
- Certificates of completion of NIMS 100 and NIMS 700 courses. (National Incident Management System - NIMS)
-
Certificate of completion for Hazardous Materials Awareness training or Hazardous Awareness Operations training. (OSHA compliant or NFPA standards). A class is available at saferesponse.com. Current cost of $25.
Tuition
The paramedic program is 36.5 credit hours in length (excluding prerequisites) and includes required certification courses of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Tuition and fee costs, per credit hour, depend upon your residence location. The most up-to-date information may be found below:
Program Specific Fees
| Semester 1 - Didactic (26.5 Credits) | ||
| Resident | Non-Resident | |
| Program Fee - Non Refundable | $2,200 | $2,200 |
| Tuition & Fees | $3,180 | $4,002 |
| Housing & 19 Meal Plan | $3,714 | $3,714 |
| Semester Total | $9,094 | $9,916 |
| Semester 2 - Clinical (10 Credits) | ||
| Resident | Non-Resident | |
| Program Fee - Non Refundable | ||
| Tuition & Fees | $1,200 | $1,510 |
| Housing & 19 Meal Plan | ||
| Semester Total | $1,200 | $1,510 |
| Total Program Cost | $10,294 | $11,426 |
* A $500 deposit is required to register and applied to the first semester charges.
Additional Expenses
- Program Fee of $2200. Includes the following:
- Required textbooks
- Lab Supplies
- Photocopies
- PlatinumEd access. PlatinumEd is an online platform used to track student performance and competencies in the lab, clinical, and field settings.
- Two program uniform shirts for clinical and field rotations
- You have the option to purchase additional shirts at $35-$45 per shirt, dependent on size.
- Room and Board: Off-campus housing is provided. You’ll have your own bedroom with a locking door and will share the living space with up to four of your classmates. A 19 Meal Plan eliminates the need for shopping or meal prep. Current cost is $3714.
- All compliance tracking is completed by a third-party company called CastleBranch.
Your background check, verification of your immunization records, and verification
of your professional certifications/licenses are completed by CastleBranch. The annual
subscription is currently $89.
- Bloodborne Pathogens and HIPAA training: Your clinical sites will require proof of
completion of Bloodborne Pathogens and HIPAA training. You may submit certificates
of completion from prior training for review. Classes are available through CastleBranch
for $15 each.
- Optional National Certification Classes: During the 12-week didactic in McCook you
have the option of taking Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) and Pre-Hospital Trauma
Life Support (PHTLS). While these classes are not required, they are strongly recommended
as they provide knowledge validation and better opportunities for employment upon
completion of the Paramedic program. The cost for each class is (1) credit hour plus
the cost of the textbook; estimated cost is ~$200.
- Computer and Internet Access: Internet access is required for the duration of the
program. College internet is free to you and computers are available to checkout for
on-site use if needed. Away from MPCC, cost will vary.
- Medical Insurance: It is recommended that students carry medical insurance throughout
the entire program. Medical insurance is required during clinical training. Cost will
vary.
- Physical exam: Many clinical sites require results from a recent physical exam (less
than one year) to confirm you are fit for duty. Cost will vary.
- Immunizations: A block of immunizations is required; up-to-date immunization status
must be maintained for the duration of the program. This may require you to complete
an immunization series prior to the program, update an immunization during the program,
or have titers drawn. Cost will vary.
- Toxicology Screening: Many sites require results from a recent urinalysis drug screen
before you can schedule or participate in clinical rotations, and each site has its
own specific requirements. Cost will vary.
- Uniforms for Clinical and Field Rotation: Program uniform shirt (provided), dark clean
pants (EMS pants or dark trousers, no denim), dark, clean, rubber-soled shoes, MPCC
student ID badge. Cost will vary.
- Travel and Transportation: Hospital clinical training and Field internships are completed
at a variety of sites across the USA. Students must have adequate transportation and
will need to make their own arrangements for room and board. Students must plan for
all travel costs. Cost will vary.
- Meals Away from Home: Once away from MPCC, options may include sack lunches, hospital
cafeterias, personal meal prep, restaurants, or eating at home. Cost will vary.
All costs are estimated and subject to change without notice.
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 most current COAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2023.
| Outcome | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|
Retention |
96.9% | 68.4% | 58.3% |
|
NREMT or State Cognitive exam |
93.5% | 100% | 100% |
|
Placement |
90.3% | 92.3% | 92.9% |
