Paramedic Studies
Contact Us
Public Safety
Emergency Medical Services
Department Co-Chair
Dr. Ellen Coatney
ecoatney@contracosta.edu
Paramedic Program Director
Dr. Chris Hewett
chewett@contracosta.edu
Additional Contacts
Dr. Everett Chang, NRP, M.Ed.
echang@contracosta.edu
Greg Smith, MPA, EMT-P
gsmith@contracosta.edu
Emergency Medical Services at Contra Costa College
Paramedics are Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who have more education and experience, and are licensed to perform more advanced procedures, like intubation, starting IVs, cardiac pacing, defibrillation, and administering a wide array of medications. They usually work within the 9-1-1 system.
You can’t become a paramedic until you’ve been a licensed EMT. So, if you aren’t one, yet, you might want to check out that program, first.
The program is competency-based and includes at least 1,290 hours of lecture, lab, clinical, and field internship content. Upon successful completion, graduates earn 31+ units of college credit and a Certificate of Achievement in Paramedic Studies. Graduates will also be eligible to take the national paramedic certification exam and apply for California paramedic licensure.
Prerequisites for the paramedic program include a high school diploma (or equivalent), a valid California EMT certificate, AHA BLS certification, at least 6 months of EMT experience, an accredited college-level anatomy and physiology course with a lab, and completion of the paramedic entrance exam to be given at orientation.
Program Minimum Expectations:
To prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
Why Consider Paramedic Studies?
Paramedics are in extremely high demand. They make more money than EMTs, and tend to have even more job opportunities, since they are often preferred to EMTs in settings like emergency rooms and fire departments.
Program Overview
The Contra Costa College paramedic program is a two-day per-week, 16-month program. The program begins in the fall and concludes at the end of the following fall semester (including summer session).
The first two semesters include intensive lectures and lab components. Next, students move into clinical rotations in the hospital. Students spend about four months working with real patients, including adults, pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatric, and geriatric patients.
During the final phase of training, students will complete an internship in the prehospital environment running 9-1-1 calls. The field internship typically takes about four months but may be extended as needed. During this time, students gain experience working as a team leader on a 9-1-1 ambulance under the supervision of an experienced paramedic preceptor.
Outcomes
Paramedic Program National Registry Exam Results:
- 2025 NREMT cognitive paramedic exam pass rate, first attempt: 81.3%.
- 2025 NREMT cognitive paramedic exam pass rate, within three attempts: 95.23%.
Paramedic Program Retention and Placement:
- 2024 Student Retention Rate: 81.8%
Positive Placement Rate:
- The positive placement rate, as identified by CAAHEP, based on graduates of the paramedic program who are reporting working in either a full-time or part-time paramedic position as a paramedic, continuing their education, or serving in the military, is 88.9% as of the annual report for 2025. Data based on 2025 graduates.
The Contra Costa College Paramedic program is approved by the Contra Costa County EMS Agency and is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for EMS Programs (CoAEMSP) through 2028.
For additional information, review the paramedic program application and the paramedic student handbook. You can also contact the paramedic program director at any time.
Mission, Vision + Core Values
To prepare paramedics of character who deliver exceptional patient care through compassionate service, clinical excellence, and lifelong learning.
To set the standard for California’s paramedic education by graduating clinicians who lead with character, serve with compassion, practice with excellence, and strengthen the communities they serve.
C – Character
We demonstrate integrity, accountability, humility, and ethical decision-making in every interaction, always doing the right thing for our patients, colleagues, and communities.
C – Compassion
We provide patient-centered care with empathy, dignity, respect, and cultural humility, recognizing the humanity in every person we serve.
C – Competence
We pursue clinical excellence through lifelong learning, critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and mastery of the knowledge and skills required of an exceptional paramedic.
E – Excellence
We strive for the highest standards in education, patient care, professionalism, and personal performance, continually seeking opportunities to improve ourselves and our profession.
M – Mentorship
We foster a culture of teaching, collaboration, leadership, and continuous growth by supporting one another and investing in the development of future EMS professionals.
S – Service
We are committed to selfless service, community engagement, and advocacy, placing the needs of our patients and communities at the center of everything we do.
Emergency Medical Services Program Maps
Certificates
Student Resources
At Contra Costa College, we provide essential resources to support your academic journey. Our Academic Counseling, Basic Needs Center, Career Services, and Transfer Services are designed to help you succeed in your studies, manage personal challenges, prepare for your career, and smoothly transition to four-year institutions.