Paramedic

Health Sciences
Award
Associate of Applied Science, Diploma
Credits
64, 49
Locations
Peosta
Entry
Fall
Time to Complete
12-24 Months
EMT students working on dummy in rig

Communities all over the state of Iowa and nationally need skilled paramedics and Emergency Medical Services professionals. You will graduate with demonstrated knowledge and skills, providing appropriate patient care for life-threatening emergencies through the use of Advanced Life Support protocol and equipment. An on-site health simulation lab, fully-equipped with an ambulance vehicle, technology, equipment and manikins, trains you for a range of patient care treatment, medical emergencies and transport. Our graduates have a 96 percent job placement rate and a 100 percent pass rate on the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Psychomotor Exam in the past five years.

If you have a passion for caring for others in emergency situations, serving your community and want a career that offers something different every day, this is the perfect career for you.

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Accreditation and Awards

The NICC Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs can be contacted at:

9355-113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775-7709
727.210.2350

The Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions can be contacted at:

8301 Lakeview Parkway
Suite #111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214.703.8445

Paying for the Program

Tuition and Fees

$10,230 - 13,680*

Out-of-State Tuition and Fees

$11,715 - 15,660*

Program Supplies

$1,500
* Approximate cost. Amount reflects the estimated tuition and student fees based on rates at the time of publication. These rates do not include additional expenses (books, tools, supplies, living expenses, licensures, remedial or pre-requisite coursework or partnership tuition and fees, etc.) related to your NICC education. Rates are subject to change.

Financial Aid & Tuition Assistance

There are many options available for tuition savings. Credit programs may have opportunities for Financial Aid eligibility, while non-credit programs have separate tuition savings available on a per-program basis.

Kibbie Grant Eligible

This scholarship is for Iowa residents enrolled in specific high-demand career/technical programs. It provides a maximum award of $4,500 per year for up to two years. The FAFSA is required and the award is based on need.

Last-Dollar Scholarship

This state funded scholarship is for Iowa residents enrolled in specific high-demand career programs and pays remaining tuition costs after all other federal and state aid has been applied. The FAFSA is required and the award is based on need.

NICC Scholarship Eligible

Any student enrolled in this program is eligible for NICC scholarships. The NICC Foundation offers a wide range of scholarship award amounts and all students are encouraged to apply.

Vo-Tech Grant Eligible

This scholarship is for Iowa residents enrolled in specific career/technical programs. It provides a maximum award of $1,000 per year for up to two years. The FAFSA is required and the award is based on need.

Learn more about Financial Aid.

Career Outlook

Enrollment Process

  1. Apply for admission.
  2. Submit official high school, high school equivalency and/or college transcripts to the Admissions Office of the campus you plan to attend.
  3. Complete ACCUPLACER® reading and writing assessment and ALEKS® math assessment for course placement. Assessments may be waived based on previous college coursework or submission of valid ACT®, or SAT® test scores. Reading and writing scores are valid for three years, and math scores are valid for two years.
  4. View the Program Admission Checklist.

In addition to the college enrollment process, applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent, have a current State of Iowa EMT certification, and achieve a minimum ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION® reading scores of 250.  applicants must achieve a minimum ALEKS® score of 30. ACT® scores are also acceptable.  The following courses must be completed with a grade of “C-” or above within five years from the date of application:

  • Basic Anatomy and Physiology [BIO:161] or
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I [BIO:168] and Human Anatomy and Physiology II [BIO:173]

The health sciences programs have additional admission requirements including background checks, health records and training requirements. Please review these requirements for program admission.

Program Information

View a sample 1st year schedule for this program of study.

Review program courses, admissions and academic requirements.

Program Outcomes

Student Outcome Results

Graduation Year Graduates Retention NREMT/State Written Exam Certification Total
Successful Outcome		 Positive Placement
2024 10 100%* 100%* 100%*
2023 8 100%* 87.5%* 100%*
2022 13 87%* 85%* 100%*

*The minimum outcome performance threshold established by the CoAEMSP Board of Directors is 70% for National Registry or State Written Exam, Retention, and Positive Placement.

Previous Years Review of Student Outcome Results
Graduation Year Cohort Attrition Retention NREMT Psychomotor Exam 1st Attempt Successful Outcome NREMT Psychomotor Exam Total Successful Outcome NREMT Written Exam 1st Attempt Successful Outcome NREMT Written Exam Total Successful Outcome Positive Placement
2021 20% 80% 100% 100% 42% 75% 100%
2020 27.3% 72.7% 100% 100% 56% 100% 100%

Additional Information

Gainful Employment Information

View gainful employment information for this program.

Iowa Emergency Medical Services Association

Students will have the opportunity to become student members of the Iowa Emergency Medical Services Association.

Licensure and Certification Disclosure

Successful completion of this program leads to a professional licensure or certification. Use this state guide to identify the states in which NICC program requirements fulfill the state guidelines for professional licensure and certification.

Simulation Labs

Paramedic students have the opportunity to utilize the College's Health Simulation Laboratories at the Peosta campus for hands-on learning experiences.

Program Progression

Students must successfully complete coursework with a C or above in order to proceed in the program. Students must have a current EMT or AEMT certification to enter into the Paramedic program. Students enrolled in the paramedic program must successfully complete Paramedic I to advance to Paramedic II and must successfully complete Paramedic II to advance to Paramedic III. If a student fails either Paramedic I, Paramedic II or Paramedic III, the student is required to repeat the program starting with Paramedic I.

Paramedic Required Hours

  Classroom Lab Clinical/Field
Paramedic I 132 64 84
Paramedic II 108 104 240
Paramedic III 68 64 276

Transfer Information

The Paramedic program maintains formal transfer agreements with the institutions listed below. Students are encouraged to speak with their transfer college or university to verify that their planned courses at NICC will meet necessary requirements. Learn more about transferring from NICC.

Program Contacts

Nicholas Esch
Paramedic Instructor, Program Director
  • eschn@nicc.edu
  • 844.642.2338, ext. 2186
  • Peosta
Alex Miller
Paramedic Clinical Coordinator
  • milleral@nicc.edu
  • 844.642.2338, ext. 2185
  • Peosta