Online Paramedic Programs: Courses, Fees, and Career Outlook
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ParamedicineEMT TrainingParamedics are on the front lines of healthcare, providing life-saving care in high-pressure situations. Whether you’re starting in emergency medicine or advancing from an EMT role, an online paramedic school can give you the skills, flexibility, and credentials needed to succeed. This EduMed guide will walk you through coursework, hands-on training requirements, certification pathways, and career opportunities for paramedics.
Paramedics have a demanding job that requires a significant amount of hands-on training in order to be effective when working with patients. Since practical learning is such an important part of paramedic training, some people may be reluctant to enroll in an online program. However, much of the curriculum is based on theory, so students can actually reap many benefits from pursuing an online degree.
In some cases, students can complete their training in about a year and immediately get out into the workforce. When students enroll in hybrid paramedic programs, they can complete much of their coursework online while still getting the hands-on experience they need during internships. In other cases, students may be required to complete the majority of their work on campus, but are given the opportunity to do a portion of their coursework online. Either way, these programs allow students to fit their education into their lifestyle. Use EduMed’s guide to online paramedic programs to determine which mode works for your timeline, budget, and career goals.
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Online Paramedic School Options
There are several options that students can choose from when they study to become a paramedic. In some cases, students may select a shorter program so they can land an entry-level position right away. In other cases, students may want to get more in-depth training, so they may enroll in programs that take longer to complete. The following are descriptions of the paramedic program levels students can pursue depending on their needs and goals.
- Certificate: Certificate programs, which generally take about a year to a year and a half to complete, give students the basic training they need to get a job at hospitals, fire departments, private ambulance companies, and government agencies. Students on this level generally study areas such as pharmacology, pathophysiology, patient assessment, and trauma experiences. In addition to online classes, students are required to get hands-on experience through laboratory work, clinical experiences, and field internships.
- Diploma: Diploma programs are designed to help students hone their paramedic skills, such as emergency resuscitation, assessment, cardiac life support, and trauma care skills. In addition, students learn how to communicate effectively with patients and peers, as well as apply the field’s ethical and legal standards to their work. These programs, which take about a year and a half to complete, are made up of online coursework and hands-on training through clinical experiences and internships. In addition, students may be required to complete a capstone project to demonstrate their understanding of all the material they studied throughout the program.
- Associate degree: Those who want to dedicate more time to their degrees may choose to enroll in a two-year associate degree paramedic program. These programs are designed to give students a more advanced paramedic education, which can be attractive to employers that prefer to hire workers with at least an associate degree. When students begin associate’s programs, they complete the didactic portion of their degree where they learn the foundations of paramedics by taking courses about advanced life support, anatomy and physiology, and critical trauma care. To solidify the theories they’ve learned, they go on to complete fieldwork under the supervision of paramedicine professionals. In addition, students are required to take general education classes — like psychology, English composition, and political science — in order to develop additional skills that will ultimately make them a productive member of the workforce.
- Bachelor’s degree: Bachelor’s level paramedic science degrees can be earned by those who are entering the field for the first time or current professionals who want to advance in their careers and take leadership roles at their jobs. These programs, which take four years to complete, provide didactic coursework and clinical experiences designed to help students:
- develop the clinical and interpersonal skills needed to treat diverse groups in the community
- demonstrate a deep understanding of how emergency care works
- utilize evidence-based medical principles when providing care.
As with associate’s degree programs, students also take classes outside of their major to receive a well-rounded education. These requirements may include courses in foreign languages, sociology, mathematics, and humanities.
Program Essentials: What to Look for
Not every paramedic studies program is created equally, so students need to ensure that the programs they consider are going to provide them with the quality training they need to prepare for their career. The following are some characteristics students should consider when looking for a school to possibly enroll in.
Accreditation: Students should choose a paramedic program that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) in order to ensure that they learn the skills employers are looking for. In fact, accreditation is so important that people who have not attended an accredited school may not be eligible to earn the certification they need to obtain employment.
State Approved: Every state has different requirements and standards for paramedics, so students should find a school that has been approved by their state. Otherwise, they may waste their time and money completing a program that doesn’t yield the state certification they need to find employment.
NREMT Prep: In order to earn a license, students who graduate from paramedic programs are required to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. As a result, the coursework in the program students enroll in should prepare them for this test. In some cases, schools may even provide additional NREMT study resources to help.
Faculty & Support Services: When considering schools, students should look at the background of faculty members in order to ensure that they’re experts in the field. The people providing training should have significant experience themselves to effectively teach students the realities of being a paramedic. In addition, students should look at the amenities that schools offer, such as technical support, research materials, and access to the local medical community.
Medical Equipment & Training Facilities: Since students need to participate in simulated exercises before they can work with actual patients, it’s imperative that they have access to the best medical equipment and training facilities. Ideally, students should visit the campus or medical facility where clinical training will take place so they can ensure they’ll have access to state-of-the-art equipment.
Important Paramedic Knowledge & Skills
Treating patients in crisis is challenging and stressful, so professionals need a toolbox of skills they can use to give people the care they need. Some of the skills can be obtained during the online portion of the program, while others are learned during practical exercises conducted on campus. The following are examples of some of the skills that paramedics can learn through the online courses offered in their programs.
Administering medications: In order to learn how to administer medications during pre-hospital care, future paramedics are required to take pharmacology courses. These classes are designed to familiarize students with techniques for providing medications, drugs that are used for different types of conditions, and the dosages that should be given when treating patients. In addition, students learn about the side effects of different medications and the ethical and legal standards associated with providing these pharmaceuticals.
Performing assessments: Paramedics are required to make quick decisions about what’s wrong with patients and what needs to be done to treat them. The fundamentals of assessments can be taught in online courses where students learn how to recognize specific medical issues and help patients accordingly.
Working with special populations: Paramedics work with patients across the lifespan, so they can take online courses that address how to deal with special populations like infants and the elderly. These classes, which may focus on one population specifically or address different ones in the same course, teach students the special challenges associated with treating patients in these special groups.
While some skills can be acquired through online coursework, others require hands-on instruction. The following are examples of some of the skills students gain from their on-campus work.
Managing airways: When patients have an obstruction with their breathing, paramedics must know the techniques and tools necessary to clear those airways. This is one of the skills that can only be developed with practice during hands-on training provided on campus.
Providing intravenous medications: Although students can learn about the basics of pharmacology in an online class, in order to master how to give an intravenous treatment, they need to practice during simulated exercises.
Communicating with patients and peers: Paramedics must be able to communicate effectively with patients that may be challenging to work with because of the pain they’re experiencing. This takes compassionate communication skills that students learn by being in these situations firsthand. In addition, these professionals must also know how to communicate well with members of their team, so clinical experience is needed to gain this skill.
Further Reading:
Paramedic Program Details, PIMA Medical Institute
Paramedic Course Syllabus, Jefferson College
Paramedic Curriculum, Oregon Tech
How to Pay for Your Online Paramedic Program
Students who are concerned about how they will pay for their paramedic education have several options. Scholarships are often available through the schools they attend, and students can get information about them at the financial aid office. In addition, there may be scholarships available from industry organizations that cater to medical professionals, as well as government agencies. Students may also be eligible for government grants issued on the federal and state levels depending on their income. In addition, taking out loans is an option for those who need additional funding.
Career Growth, Salary & Outlook for Paramedics
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $40,130 | $58,410 | $82,420 |
| Alabama | $32,520 | $45,020 | $59,990 |
| Alaska | $59,050 | $68,330 | $101,810 |
| Arizona | $38,040 | $50,860 | $65,640 |
| Arkansas | $37,660 | $45,710 | $70,260 |
| California | $49,080 | $72,180 | $101,550 |
| Connecticut | $56,900 | $75,400 | $82,460 |
| Delaware | $52,640 | $62,040 | $98,650 |
| District of Columbia | $60,710 | $80,950 | $100,510 |
| Florida | $42,540 | $58,860 | $93,340 |
| Georgia | $38,480 | $51,740 | $79,820 |
| Idaho | $51,230 | $62,640 | $80,330 |
| Illinois | $39,520 | $59,110 | $103,160 |
| Indiana | $45,890 | $58,260 | $73,740 |
| Iowa | $42,640 | $53,470 | $70,920 |
| Kansas | $38,170 | $49,090 | $61,520 |
| Kentucky | $35,470 | $47,650 | $64,730 |
| Louisiana | $32,080 | $50,800 | $62,170 |
| Maine | $48,440 | $59,800 | $71,380 |
| Maryland | $49,940 | $67,670 | $98,200 |
| Massachusetts | $55,850 | $64,010 | $91,200 |
| Michigan | $39,500 | $50,320 | $63,280 |
| Minnesota | $58,680 | $68,000 | $85,860 |
| Mississippi | $35,700 | $51,290 | $63,430 |
| Missouri | $40,560 | $55,600 | $73,060 |
| Montana | $32,760 | $49,360 | $76,620 |
| Nebraska | $44,990 | $54,170 | $73,940 |
| Nevada | $47,870 | $60,320 | $80,650 |
| New Hampshire | $49,020 | $60,540 | $82,040 |
| New Jersey | $73,500 | $80,100 | $92,840 |
| New Mexico | $43,450 | $50,340 | $75,220 |
| New York | $51,730 | $66,420 | $85,150 |
| North Carolina | $40,240 | $51,110 | $70,630 |
| North Dakota | $48,860 | $59,950 | $69,930 |
| Ohio | $36,790 | $47,960 | $69,540 |
| Oklahoma | $34,660 | $47,890 | $63,200 |
| Oregon | $49,530 | $73,380 | $92,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,530 | $57,670 | $78,490 |
| Rhode Island | $43,150 | $63,530 | $75,190 |
| South Carolina | $38,000 | $50,130 | $64,300 |
| South Dakota | $40,590 | $48,070 | $55,740 |
| Tennessee | $38,310 | $52,860 | $75,960 |
| Texas | $39,120 | $53,960 | $74,810 |
| Utah | $45,830 | $63,430 | $91,210 |
| Vermont | $46,740 | $53,010 | $73,630 |
| Virginia | $43,300 | $58,570 | $72,780 |
| Washington | $52,730 | $100,780 | $134,260 |
| West Virginia | $37,560 | $48,190 | $62,870 |
| Wisconsin | $41,190 | $56,010 | $78,310 |
| Wyoming | $39,530 | $61,600 | $77,420 |
Source: Paramedics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 98,300 | 103,600 | 5,300 | 5.40% | 5,100 |
| Alabama | 1,560 | 1,640 | 80 | 5.10% | 80 |
| Alaska | 130 | 150 | 20 | 15.40% | 10 |
| Arizona | 2,010 | 2,400 | 390 | 19.40% | 140 |
| Arkansas | 1,220 | 1,310 | 90 | 7.40% | 70 |
| California | 5,100 | 5,800 | 700 | 13.70% | 320 |
| Colorado | 1,780 | 2,070 | 290 | 16.30% | 120 |
| Connecticut | 1,170 | 1,260 | 90 | 7.70% | 60 |
| Delaware | 370 | 400 | 30 | 8.10% | 20 |
| District of Columbia | 130 | 140 | 10 | 7.70% | 10 |
| Florida | 4,990 | 5,640 | 650 | 13.00% | 300 |
| Georgia | 3,700 | 4,280 | 580 | 15.70% | 240 |
| Illinois | 5,150 | 5,630 | 480 | 9.30% | 290 |
| Indiana | 2,570 | 2,670 | 100 | 3.90% | 130 |
| Iowa | 1,280 | 1,390 | 110 | 8.60% | 70 |
| Kansas | 1,060 | 1,130 | 70 | 6.60% | 60 |
| Kentucky | 1,970 | 2,090 | 120 | 6.10% | 100 |
| Louisiana | 1,500 | 1,570 | 70 | 4.70% | 80 |
| Maine | 680 | 690 | 10 | 1.50% | 30 |
| Maryland | 1,780 | 1,970 | 190 | 10.70% | 100 |
| Massachusetts | 650 | 690 | 40 | 6.20% | 40 |
| Michigan | 3,050 | 3,160 | 110 | 3.60% | 150 |
| Minnesota | 1,820 | 1,920 | 100 | 5.50% | 90 |
| Mississippi | 1,020 | 1,060 | 40 | 3.90% | 50 |
| Missouri | 3,490 | 3,720 | 230 | 6.60% | 190 |
| Montana | 160 | 190 | 30 | 18.80% | 10 |
| Nebraska | 390 | 420 | 30 | 7.70% | 20 |
| Nevada | 800 | 870 | 70 | 8.80% | 50 |
| New Hampshire | 410 | 440 | 30 | 7.30% | 20 |
| New Jersey | 850 | 880 | 30 | 3.50% | 40 |
| New Mexico | 810 | 950 | 140 | 17.30% | 50 |
| North Carolina | 4,640 | 5,360 | 720 | 15.50% | 300 |
| North Dakota | 180 | 200 | 20 | 11.10% | 10 |
| Ohio | 3,250 | 3,320 | 70 | 2.20% | 150 |
| Oklahoma | 1,610 | 1,700 | 90 | 5.60% | 80 |
| Oregon | 920 | 1,020 | 100 | 10.90% | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,410 | 4,610 | 200 | 4.50% | 220 |
| Rhode Island | 100 | 100 | – | 0.00% | – |
| South Carolina | 1,780 | 2,000 | 220 | 12.40% | 110 |
| South Dakota | 330 | 350 | 20 | 6.10% | 20 |
| Tennessee | 3,580 | 3,970 | 390 | 10.90% | 210 |
| Texas | 8,420 | 10,350 | 1,930 | 22.90% | 620 |
| Utah | 910 | 1,120 | 210 | 23.10% | 70 |
| Vermont | 220 | 220 | – | 0.00% | 10 |
| Virginia | 1,740 | 1,770 | 30 | 1.70% | 80 |
| West Virginia | 1,050 | 1,110 | 60 | 5.70% | 60 |
| Wisconsin | 1,800 | 1,860 | 60 | 3.30% | 90 |
| Wyoming | 170 | 190 | 20 | 11.80% | 10 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Best Schools Offering Online Paramedic Training
There are many programs to help paramedics train for their career, but not every one will be the right fit for each student. In order to help future paramedics choose the training program that’s right for them, EduMed has created a new Best in Class initiative. The accredited schools compiled on these lists have been vetted for several factors, including their academic comprehensiveness and affordability. The following is a closer look at some of the standout schools that appear on our lists.
