LP Research Resources October 30, 2023

CSUS College of Continuing Education Paramedic Program

The CSUS College of Continuing Education Paramedic Program at Sacramento State offers Prehospital Education Programs that include an EMT Basic program and a paramedic program. To reach the Sacramento State campus, both the Hornet Express Shuttle and the Sacramento Regional Transit provide service to the campus. The campus is located at 6000 J Street in Sacramento and can be reached from the east by I-80 or Highway 50 and from the north and south via I-5.

Program Information

The EMT course is 9 weeks in length and will provide the following certifications and instruction:

  • At least 12 hours of ride along time on an ambulance
  • Hands on training from certified EMS personnel
  • CPR certification through the American Heart Association
  • Haz-mat certification
  • ICS-100 Certification
  • Preparation to sit for the National Registry Exam

The paramedic EMT program offered through the continuing education program is a one-year course that will prepare students how to respond and give support to individuals in emergencies. The first part of the program is the didactic training. The second part of the program is the clinical experience, where students will practice the skills needed for their field experience. The field internship is the final section of the course where students will work under the direct supervision of a licensed paramedic.

Anatomy and physiology, principles of microbiology, theory of patient assessment, management and operations assessment, theory of paramedic essentials to include airway management and ventilation, medical, OB/GYN, neonatal, behavior and trauma emergencies, and emergency medical services operations are just some of the courses.

Costs and Application Process

The cost of the program is broken down by course, the didactic portion cost is $4500, the clinical portion cost is $2500, and the Field Experience portion cost is $4000. There may be other costs involved in the program as well, such as uniform fees, books, and lab fees.

Applications for the courses must be submitted before the deadline. A two-hour entrance examination is required to gain approval to participate in the program. If there is an abundance of applicants, interviews may be conducted. The program begins every fall and the application deadline to register is usually required by August 1st.

The CSUS College of Continuing Education Prehospital Education program is approved by the Sacramento County Emergency Medical Services Agency and the State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority and is CAAHEP and CoAEMSP accredited, both of which provide the successful student to be accepted for EMS certification by the State of California.

Once the Prehospital Education program is completed, you will be qualified to take the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Examination (NREMT).

Program Prerequisites

For the paramedic instructional courses an individual must have current EMT certification and have proof of completing a Basic EMT course. Preference is given to individuals that are either currently employed as an EMS provider or have at least a year of experience working in the field as an EMT. This experience is not required, but is preferred.

Applicants to the paramedic program must sit for an interview and pass a 2 hour entrance exam in order to be accepted into the program.

Additional Information

CSUS College of Continuing Education also provides the National Registry Advanced Level Skills Exam and is available to be taken once a month. The college also offers National Registry Advanced Level Skills Preparation Course which can be taken on the afternoon prior to sitting for the NREMT exam.

Candidates who fail the exam are given the “retest” opportunities and the college provides this through their National Registry Advanced Level Skills Exam Retest exam.

Contact Information

College of Continuing Education
California State University, Sacramento
3000 State University Drive East
Sacramento, CA 95819-6103

For further information or questions you may contact any of these college staff:

EMS Coordinator, Kim Luis at 916-278-5984 or kluis@csus.edu
EMS Program Manager, Katelyn Sandoval at 916-278-2797 or sandovalk@csus.edu
EMS Program Director, Derek Parker at 916-278-4846 or dparker@csus.edu
Clinical Coordinator, Thomas Oakes at 916-278-4846 or oakest@csus.edu