Associate Degree

AAS in Emergency Medical Services

Earn a college degree while becoming a certified paramedic. Our Associate of Applied Science degree combines paramedic certification with general education for career advancement and transfer opportunities.

65
Credits
2
Years
$12K
Total Cost
G3
Eligible

Quick Facts

Duration
4-5 Semesters
Credential
AAS Degree + Paramedic Cert
Location
Suffolk Campus
Prerequisite
High School Diploma/GED

Benefits of a Degree

Go beyond certification with a college degree that opens more doors.

Higher Earning Potential

Degree holders typically earn 15-20% more than those with certification only. Many departments offer degree-based pay incentives.

Career Advancement

Supervisory positions, instructor roles, and management tracks often require or prefer candidates with college degrees.

Transfer Opportunities

Credits transfer to four-year universities for bachelor's degrees in emergency management, healthcare administration, or nursing.

Broader Knowledge Base

General education courses in communication, psychology, and anatomy provide a stronger foundation for patient care.

G3 Tuition-Free

Virginia's G3 program covers tuition and fees for eligible students, making your degree essentially free.

Job Market Advantage

Stand out in competitive hiring processes. Many fire departments and hospitals prefer degree-holding paramedics.

Your Journey to the AAS

Follow a structured path from EMT to degreed paramedic.

1

EMT Basic Certification

Begin with foundational emergency care skills and earn your EMT certification.

9 Credits
2

General Education & AEMT

Complete courses in anatomy, psychology, composition, and advance to AEMT certification.

28 Credits
3

Paramedic Program

Complete comprehensive paramedic training with classroom, lab, and clinical experience.

28 Credits
4

Graduate with AAS + Paramedic Certification

Receive your associate degree and national paramedic certification simultaneously.

65 Total Credits

Degree Requirements

Comprehensive coursework for your AAS degree.

General Education

17 Credits
  • SDV 100 - College Success Skills (1)
  • BIO 145 - Human Anatomy and Physiology (4)
  • EMG 111 - College Composition I (3)
  • PSY 230 - Developmental Psychology (3)
  • General Educational Elective (3)
  • Humanities Elective (3)

EMT Core

9 Credits
  • HLT 105 - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (1)
  • EMS 111 - Emergency Medical Technician (7)
  • EMS 120 - Emergency Medical Technician - Clinical (1)

AEMT Core

11 Credits
  • EMS 123 - EMS Clinical Preparation (1)
  • EMS 170 - ALS Internship (1)
  • EMS 180-186 - Advanced EMS Courses (9)

Paramedic Core

28 Credits
  • EMS 221-224 - Cardiovascular & Patient Care I (8)
  • EMS 225-226 - Patient Care II (7)
  • EMS 241, 246, 249 - Internships (6)
  • EMS 163, 164, 165, 169 - Life Support Certs (4)
  • EMS 210, 212, 216 - Operations & Review (3)

Program Costs

Affordable community college education with extensive financial aid.

Total Program Cost

~$12,000 In-State
Tuition (65 credits × $171)$11,115
Student Fees (Est.)~$1,500
Books & Materials~$1,200
Uniforms & Equipment~$400

Financial Assistance

  • Federal Aid: Pell Grants, Direct Loans, Work-Study
  • Virginia G3: Tuition-free for qualifying students
  • VA Benefits: GI Bill, VR&E, state benefits
  • WIOA: Workforce development funding
  • Scholarships: EMS and VCCS scholarships

Virginia G3 Program

Qualifying Virginia residents can attend tuition-free! EMS is a designated high-demand field.

Degree Advantage

A degree positions you for long-term career success.

$60,000+
Avg Salary (with degree)
85%
Supervisors Have Degrees
100%
Transferable Credits

Transfer Opportunities

Your AAS credits can transfer to these universities for bachelor's degree completion:

Old Dominion University Virginia Commonwealth University George Mason University Eastern Virginia Career College Norfolk State University Liberty University

Ready to Earn Your Degree?

Combine paramedic certification with a college degree. Apply today.

Start Your Application