Emergency Medical Science

In North Carolina, to become an EMT, you must complete an initial course approved by the NC Office of EMS (NCOEMS). Upon completing this course, you then take the credentialing exam administered by the NCOEMS or the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT). Initial courses offered at Davidson-Davie Community College are approved by NCOEMS. These courses are offered in the continuing education pathway or the curriculum pathway.

What are the entry requirements to take the EMT Course?
To take the EMT course:

1. Must be 17 on or before the official end date of the course
2. Have a high school diploma, high school equivalency, or successful completion of an exam assessing basic reading comprehension skills at a minimum at the eleventh-grade level

In North Carolina, to become a Paramedic, you must complete an initial course approved by the NC Office of EMS (NCOEMS). Initial courses offered at Davidson-Davie Community College are approved by NCOEMS. These courses are offered in the continuing education pathway or the curriculum pathway. In addition, you must complete college-level anatomy and physiology course that meets or exceeds the requirements listed in the Combined Course Library for the NC Community College System. Currently accepted courses include BIO-163, BIO 165 & 166, BIO 169 & 169, or their equivalent on the curriculum pathway or EMS-3163 on the continuing education pathway.

What are the requirements to take the Paramedic Course?
Students wishing to take the paramedic course must have the following:

1. Possess a valid and active North Carolina EMT Credential, NREMT or other states EMS Credential prior to starting the clinical or field component. All students must start clinical/field at the same time. Staggered start dates will not be accepted.
2. A valid high school diploma or high school equivalency
3. Successful completion of college-level English, or within the previous 12 months, complete a written assessment placing the individual into college-level English. Placement by RISE without the use of a written assessment will not meet this requirement.
4. Successful completion of college-level Math, or within the previous 12 months complete a written assessment placing the individual into college-level Math. Placement by RISE without the use of a written assessment will not meet this requirement.

Students taking classes on the curriculum pathway are officially enrolled and accepted as students of Davidson-Davie Community College into the AAS in Emergency Medical Science program of study. These students take EMS-110 (Initial EMT) and EMS-150 (Driving and Communication) in the fall semester. Students are enrolled in paramedic courses in the spring semester after completing these courses, starting with EMS 122. Once students start EMS-122, they MUST stay continuously enrolled in EMS prefix courses. While taking the core paramedic courses, students also take general education courses required for their degree. Students will complete BIO-168 and BIO-169 as part of their general education classes before completing their EMS courses. These courses typically meet Monday through Thursday for 2.5 hours each day. The college academic calendar is followed for the scheduling of these courses. Students enrolling in the curriculum program should expect to be enrolled in coursework from Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters to complete their AAS Degree.

What is the cost for the curriculum program?
Tuition and fees are regulated by the NC General Assembly. See our latest tuition and fee schedule for the Davidson-Davie. Additionally, the books and supplies for the EMT Program are approximately $188 and around $650 for the paramedic courses.

Is financial aid available for the curriculum pathway?
Because students are enrolled in a degree-seeking program, they would be eligible for any institutional financial aid as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

Students utilizing the continued education pathway complete the same initial education program as the curriculum students, however, the timing and method of delivery for these courses can be more varied. For instance, EMS-110 (EMT) is only offered in the fall semester each year on the 2.5-hour Monday through Thursday schedule. The EMS-110 equivalent, EMS-4200, is offered as a night class and hybrid weekend class during Fall and Spring, and a “fast-track” Summer course that is hybrid weekends. Our Paramedic courses are offered on various schedules with start times occurring throughout the year. Please visit the EMS, EMT and Paramedic Programming page on the college website to see our upcoming continuing education offerings.

Is financial aid available for the continuing education pathway?
Students in the continuing education pathway are not eligible for traditional institutional financial aid because they are not enrolled in a degree-seeking program. However, tuition for an initial EMT is $189.50 total and a paramedic is $379 ($189.50 x 2 blocks). If you are affiliated with a public safety agency in NC, you may qualify for fee-exempt status, waiving $180 from your tuition. Additionally, some grant programs and apprenticeships may be available for these programs as well.

What if I complete the continuing education pathway and want to complete my degree?
We offer an AAS in Emergency Medical Science bridging option for students who hold an EMS certification and wish to seek an AAS degree. Credit can be issued after supplying the program director with a copy of your credential. You must then meet the remaining requirements listed in the catalog for degree conferral.

Can I enroll in the bridging option while taking the continuing education pathway?
Yes! You just need to apply and be accepted to the college as you would with any other degree-seeking program. You would select the AAS in EMS Bridging Option as your program of study and then can begin taking the required courses. Once you complete the course and obtain your credential, credit can then be issued toward completing your degree.

How do I enroll in the EMS Bridging Degree?
There are several steps. They are best explained by reading our How to Register for the EMS Bridging Degree? information.

The hospital systems we partner with for clinical experience at the AEMT or Paramedic level require several vaccines. There is not currently a vaccine requirement for EMR and EMT courses. There are hospital system requirements to allow students to rotate there for clinicals. At present, the EMS agencies we partner with do not have a specific list of required vaccines.

What about the COVID-19 Vaccine?
This again is required by the hospital systems to attend clinical rotations. These requirements only apply to AEMT and Paramedic students.

Can I get an exemption for these vaccines?
There is a process through our hospital partners for faith-based and medical-based exemptions. Please confer with the clinical coordinator once your class starts for specifics on this process. Please understand there are hospital requirements. Your attendance at hospital clinical rotations is required for program completion. Therefore, failure to get cleared by the hospital systems will result in removal from course.