Dallas College

additional-info

About the Program

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate is an entry-level certificate that will train you to provide basic life support and emergency health care in settings such as an ambulance agencies, hospitals and fire departments. EMT is the most common certification and is a starting point for a rewarding career in the health care field. The EMT training at Brookhaven, Cedar Valley or Richland campuses will teach you to provide basic life support and emergency health care in settings such as ambulance agencies, hospitals and fire departments.

The EMT certificate program includes classroom and laboratory instruction, emergency ambulance experience and hospital rotations with an emphasis on emergency department experience. You will receive instruction in basic life support, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, automatic external defibrillator use, patient physical assessment, bandaging and splinting, traction splinting, spinal immobilization, airway management, medication administration, oxygen therapy and other noninvasive procedures.

The EMT certification program requires 272 training hours that consist of hospital rotations, classroom instruction, lab practice and internships​ in an ambulance. After the training, successful candidates must take a national exam called the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

 

Class Schedules

We offer training classes year-round, so review our class schedule to find a training class that works for you. Dallas College offers several course formats to help meet the needs of all of our students (availability of formats varies): In person, hybrid, evenings and weekdays.

EMT classes are offered in cohorts, where a group of students go through the entire program together. Once students choose a cohort, they will continue with that cohort and in that format for the remainder of the program.

 

Cost of Training

Not including tuition, here are the average out-of-pocket costs you can expect to pay in throughout EMT program. Prices are subject to change and are approximations.

  • Uniform: $22-$26
  • SurScan account: $15 for document tracking (background and drug screening are separate)
  • Drug screening: $42 via SurScan
  • Criminal background check: $45 via SurScan
  • Fingerprinting (approximate cost): $50
  • Texas criminal background check: $45 
    • The SurScan background check is only for program use. The State of Texas uses their own system for background checks.
  • State fee (payable to Texas Department of State Health Services): $64
  • NREMT exam (payable to National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians): $80
  • TB test — chest X-ray (if skin test is positive)

Immunization Requirements

Individuals applying to any program within the School of Health Sciences are required to obtain specific immunizations. Visit the School of Health Sciences Program Immunization Requirements page for full details.

About the Paramedic Program

The Paramedic program is designed to prepare students to provide advanced prehospital emergency care to patients. Training will include classroom instruction, laboratory practice, ambulance experience and hospital rotations with an emphasis on emergency department experience. Students will also earn ACLS, PHTLS, PEPP and AMLS credentials during the Paramedic courses.

The Paramedic program can be completed in approximately 7.5 months in its fastest format. Students will complete 39 credit hours beyond the prerequisites of EMT training.

The Paramedic program will prepare you to function as an advanced life-support provider with invasive skills training such as:

  • Intravenous (IV) initiation
  • External jugular cannulation
  • Endotracheal intubation
  • Medication administration by various routes
  • Intraosseous (IO) access
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm identification
  • 12-lead ECG interpretation
  • Defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion
  • Transcutaneous pacing
  • Needle thoracostomy

Paramedic cohorts start year-round. Please review our class schedule to find a class that works for you.

 

Class Schedules

Paramedic cohorts start year-round. Please review our class schedule to find a class that works for you. The program offers several cohorts to help meet the needs of all our students (availability of cohort varies). Once students choose a cohort, they must continue with that cohort and in that format through the remainder of the program.

The Paramedic program is an accelerated program that will require a significant time commitment, including time studying outside of class. Regardless of which class format a student chooses, they should prepare to commit approximately 40 hours per week to lecture, laboratory sessions, hospital clinicals or an ambulance internship.

  • Fast Track Academy (Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.): Class meets every weekday. The length of the program in this format is approximately 7.5 months. ​This format is offered multiple-rolling dates throughout the year. It is intended for member fire departments. If there are openings, any student can apply.
  • “B” Shift-Based (Mon-Sat, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.): Class meets every third day on “B” shift days Monday–Saturday for lecture and laboratory. Clinical requirements are fulfilled outside of lecture and laboratory time. The length of the program in this format is approximately 10.5 months. This format starts in June of each year.​
  • Hybrid Fast Track (online/on campus, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.): Lectures take place online while laboratory sessions take place on campus two days a week. Clinical requirements are fulfilled outside of laboratory time. The length of the program in this format is approximately 7.5 months. This format starts only in July of each year.
  • Night Medic (Tues, Wed, Thurs, 6 pm -10 p.m. AND B shift Sat 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.): The length of the program is 13 months.

 

*Please see program office for details regarding shift schedule.*

*There are multiple schedules available. Please contact program office for more information.*

 

Cost of Training

Not including tuition, here are the average out-of-pocket costs you can expect to pay throughout paramedic program. Prices are subject to change and are approximations. Textbooks are included with your tuition.

  • ACLS card: $5
  • AMLS fee: $15
  • PHTLS fee: $15
  • Personal health care insurance coverage
  • Transportation
  • Parking fees at hospital clinical sites, if applicable
  • Texas Department of State Health Services registration
  • National Registry of EMTs cognitive exam testing fee

 

Eligibility Requirements

Texas DSHS EMT Credential (NREMT can be used for conditional admission)​​​

Applicants to the Paramedic program must have completed previous training as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and have a current and valid state of Texas EMT certification. National Registry credential can be used for conditional admission pending completion of the Texas​ state certification.

Anatomy and Physiology (A&P)

Students must take EMSP 2471 as the first course of the Paramedic cohort sequence.​ This is the only approved anatomy and physiology course for the EMT and paramedic programs.

Other Requirements

  • Graduation from high school or successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) test.
  • Application and current admission to Dallas College.
  • Submission of official transcripts from each college or university previously attended (transcripts from the campuses of Dallas College are not required).
  • Submission of copies of the following documents to EMS office (in person or by email as PDF files):
    • State-issued photo ID or driver's license
    • Verification of medical insurance
    • BLS-CPR current course completion from American Heart Association or American Red Cross
    • Physical exam (simple school sports type OK, no specific form or format needed) done within six months prior to program start
    • Immunization records including titers for Hep-B, MMR and varicella. A recent TB skin test is also required.​
    • Current and valid state of Texas EMT certification

Immunization Requirements

Individuals applying to any program within the School of Health Sciences are required to obtain specific immunizations. Visit the School of Health Sciences Program Immunization Requirements page for full details.

EMS_Paramedic_Student_Handbook (DOCX - 246KB) - Updated as of Feb. 25, 2026

Student_Handbook_Update_Summary (DOCX - 35KB) - The Program Policies Student Handbook was updated Feb. 25, 2026, with policy clarifications. No new policies were added.

Paramedic Technical Standards and Occupational Risks

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Patient Assessment & Care
  • Perform complete physical assessments of patients across the lifespan.
  • Recognize life-threatening conditions and initiate appropriate interventions.
  • Administer medications via oral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and
  • other approved routes.
  • Perform advanced airway management, including endotracheal intubation and
  • surgical airway procedures.
  1. Communication & Documentation
  • Communicate effectively with patients, families, bystanders, and medical professionals.
  • Accurately document all aspects of patient care and interventions in a timely and legal manner.
  1. Operations
  • Safely operate emergency vehicles in accordance with state and local laws.
  • Maintain and inventory medical equipment and supplies.
  • Participate in quality assurance, continuing education, and training exercises.
  1. Professional Conduct
  • Adhere to protocols, scope of practice, and legal/ethical standards of care.
  • Maintain confidentiality of patient information in accordance with HIPAA.
  1. Scene Management
  • Coordinate with law enforcement, fire services, and other responders.
  • Ensure scene safety and utilize proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Triage and manage multiple patients in mass casualty incidents.

Technical Standards and Functional Requirements:

Physical Abilities

  • Lift, carry, and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance).
  • Perform prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking.
  • Bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crawl, and climb.
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to perform clinical procedures and operate equipment.
  • Visual acuity to assess patients and read documentation.
  • Auditory ability to hear faint sounds, auscultate, and interpret alarms.

Cognitive and Affective Abilities

  • Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills under stress.
  • Apply clinical reasoning and make decisions independently.
  • Maintain emotional stability and composure in high-pressure situations.
  • Adapt quickly to changing environments and patient needs.
  • Understand and communicate in English (verbal and written).
  • Environmental Tolerance
  • Work in varied environments including inclement weather, confined spaces, and
  • hazardous scenes.
  • Tolerate exposure to bodily fluids, infectious agents, noise, and chemical substances.
  • Operate during day and night shifts, including weekends and holidays

Occupational Risks

Provision of emergency medical services poses inherent occupational risks for EMS responders. Risks include the following:

  1. Violence/assaults
  2. Verbal threats/aggression
  3. Motor vehicle crashes
  4. Infectious disease
  5. Lifting injuries
  6. Sprains and strains
  7. Psychological trauma
  8. Hazardous chemical exposure
  9. Hyper/hypothermia

College Credit

College credit is granted for all coursework successfully completed through Dallas College for the EMT Basic, Paramedic or Associate Degree. If a student has previously earned a minimum of the EMT Basic Certification, noncollege credit, whether it was at an independent or fire service-based EMS school, a high school, another agency, or out-of-state, college credit may be awarded by exam. This is NOT advanced placement, the prior course and state certification must be completed.

Credit by Exam

  • To get credit for a noncredit EMS program/course, a student must take a credit by examination. This is NOT advanced placement. The student must have completed the prior EMS program and be certified in the state of Texas.
  • The cost of each credit by exam is available in the Dallas College Course Catalog.
  • The student must be currently enrolled at the college to be eligible for credit by examination(s).
  • For additional information, students must contact the Dallas College EMS Academic Chair at 972-860-7879. Students should bring all certifications when meeting with the Academic Chair.

Advanced Paramedic Placement / Bridge Policy for Licensed Health Care Providers

Licensed medical professionals seeking advanced placement -a bridge- to complete the Paramedic program should be guided by this policy.

This “bridge” program combines classroom teaching with supervised clinical and field experience for licensed medical professionals seeking certification as a Paramedic with the Texas Department of State Health Services.

An associate's degree, or higher, in healthcare is required. (RN, RRT, PA, DO/MD)

Regular admissions to the College requirements apply. This can be started online.

Program admissions requirements include submission of copies of:

  • Valid, current license in nursing, respiratory therapy, physician, or physician assistant. Verification of a minimum clinical experience of two years. Clinical assignments may vary to assure competence in all areas.
  • State issued picture ID or DL
  • BLS CPR from AHA or ARC active completion card
  • ACLS from AHA or ARC active completion card
  • Simple school sports physical completed on more than six months prior to course start
  • Complete vaccination and titter records. Refer to online vaccine record for the School of Health Sciences

All required documents must be submitted to the Program Director for review.

Upon successful completion of the first 48 contact hours section of the program, students must take and successfully complete the National Registry of EMT exam for the EMT basic level. Documentation of successful completion must be submitted prior to advanced-level clinical and internships assignments (EMSP 2463).

Those who are successful continue their course work for the paramedic level. Completers are then eligible to take the exam for registration as a Paramedic through the National Registry of EMT. Upon successful completion of that examination, the student is eligible to apply for certification as a Paramedic in the State of Texas.

Students must test, and earn, the EMT-Basic NREMT registration, or DSHS certification, during this course, AND prior to beginning the advanced practicum assignments (EMSP 2463). Students will attend two 24-hour ambulance basic-level internships; AND, when eligible, eight to ten, 24-hour MICU-ambulance advanced-level internships. Uniforms are required for clinical and internship sessions.

Updated April 13, 2026