Emergency Medical Science

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals are often the first responders in critical situations, making important decisions that save lives. At Central Piedmont, we provide a comprehensive pathway for aspiring and current EMS personnel to advance their careers. Whether you are new to the field and seeking entry-level Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification or a credentialed paramedic looking to elevate your education, our programs offer the flexibility to meet your needs. From EMT certification to an Associate in Applied Science in emergency medical science, our curriculum is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in this vital profession.

What You Will Learn

Central Piedmont offers the following levels of certification:

  • Emergency Medical Responder (EMR): The EMR provides immediate lifesaving care to critical patients while awaiting higher-level responders. Their scope includes basic first aid, CPR, and AED use, often in non-transport roles.
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): EMTs deliver prehospital care, focusing on basic life support (BLS), including airway management, bleeding control, oxygen administration, and non-invasive interventions during transport.
  • Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT): AEMTs expand upon EMT skills, offering advanced airway management, intravenous (IV) therapy, medication administration, and limited cardiac monitoring, bridging the gap between EMTs and paramedics.
  • Paramedic (certification and degree): Paramedics are the highest level of prehospital providers, with extensive training in advanced life support (ALS), including intubation, pharmacology, EKG interpretation, and invasive procedures. Paramedic certification focuses on competency, while degree programs provide additional education in leadership, research, and healthcare systems.

Upcoming Classes

Visit the following links to see the schedule of classes:

Learn more about how to apply

Why Choose Central Piedmont

The Emergency Medical Science (EMS) program at Central Piedmont is designed to equip students with the comprehensive knowledge and practical skills necessary for a rewarding career in pre-hospital emergency care. Our curriculum prepares you to become a confident and capable Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or paramedic, ready to respond to diverse medical emergencies. Through a blend of classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory practice, and real-world scenarios, you will master both basic and advanced life support techniques. Our state-of-the-art learning environments and experienced faculty provide a supportive setting to develop the expertise needed to excel in this fast-paced and impactful field.

Our mission is to deliver exceptional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education that prepares students for the demands of a dynamic and challenging career in pre-hospital emergency care. We focus on fostering excellence by combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. Students learn essential skills through a combination of expert-led demonstrations, simulated laboratory scenarios, and hands-on practice under the guidance of credentialed, highly qualified EMS professional educators.

Our program is distinguished by a track record of excellence, with EMS graduates achieving a 100% success rate on the North Carolina EMT-Basic and Paramedic certification exams. To ensure students gain real-world experience, we require field internship rotations with our trusted clinical partners. Additionally, students benefit from unique hospital-based clinical opportunities, including access to our region’s Level I trauma center, where they engage in advanced patient care and trauma management. By the time you complete the program, you will be equipped with the skills, confidence, and professional connections needed to thrive in this life-saving field.

Whether you are just starting your EMS journey or seeking to expand your skills, our program offers the training to help you succeed.

Real World Education

At Central Piedmont, your education goes beyond what you learn in class. We offer numerous opportunities for you to enhance your learning — and to make friends, network, and pursue your passions — through clubs and organizations, sports, events and activities, leadership opportunities, job experience, volunteer experiences, visual and performing arts, and even international experiences.

EMT, Paramedic Careers and Average Salaries

Employment opportunities include Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies, fire and rescue agencies, critical care transport services, special events and government agencies. Visit Central Piedmont’s Career Coach for detailed emergency medical science career opportunities, salary information, and job openings.

Career Coach

The Details

  • Program Options

    Central Piedmont offers two options for students wishing to become emergency medical technicians: curriculum (EMS-110) and continuing education (EMT-7306). Students should contact Andrew Ross, EMS program director, with questions on which option most suits their needs.

    • Curriculum: EMS 110 is a curriculum-based course that provides nine (9) college credits applicable toward the Associate in Applied Science in emergency medical science. The course is eligible for financial aid but does not qualify for a fee waiver. During the spring and fall semesters, EMS 110 follows a 16-week schedule, while summer courses are offered in an accelerated 8-week hybrid format. The cost of tuition includes both the required textbook and the FISDAP testing package, ensuring you have the resources needed for success.
    • Continuing education: EMT 7306 is offered through the continuing education department and does not provide college credit. The course is eligible for a fee waiver, if applicable, but does not qualify for financial aid. During the spring and fall semesters, EMT 7306 follows a 16-week schedule. In the summer, it is offered as an accelerated eight-week session, meeting Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that the cost of tuition does not include the required textbook or the FISDAP testing package, which must be purchased separately.

    Upon successful completion, both the EMS 110 and EMT 7306 courses qualify students to take the North Carolina or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification exam. Learn more about North Carolina course requirements (PDF).

    Additional Credentials and Learning Options

    • Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Certification: Due to changes in accreditation requirements, we are reformatting this course. Please contact Andrew Ross, EMS program director, with questions.
    • Paramedic Training: Central Piedmont offers paramedic certification training through both a continuing education program and as part of the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree.

      In 2011, Central Piedmont Community College partnered with The Center for Pre-hospital Medicine (CPM) under the Department of Emergency Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center to form a consortium agreement aimed at providing premier paramedic education to the greater Charlotte Metro area and surrounding regions. Both institutions had long histories of EMS education, each independently meeting the rigorous standards for accreditation. However, by combining resources, expertise, and facilities, the consortium sought to deliver an enhanced educational experience while ensuring students had access to financial aid and a streamlined pathway to an AAS degree.

      The goal of the Central Piedmont/CPM Paramedic Academy is to prepare competent entry-level paramedics by fostering excellence across the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Students benefit from cutting-edge training aligned with both the North Carolina Office of EMS and the National Emergency Medical Services Educational Standards. This comprehensive approach ensures that graduates are not only well-prepared for initial paramedic certification but also equipped with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary for success in the field. The program offers flexibility to accommodate students seeking either their initial paramedic certification or opportunities for advanced training, making it an ideal choice for those aspiring to excel in pre-hospital emergency care.

      Learn more about North Carolina course requirements (PDF).
       

    • Visiting students: If you wish to transfer emergency medical science course credit back to your home institution, explore how to enroll at Central Piedmont as a visiting student.
    • College credit for high school students: Visit Career and College Promise to learn about opportunities for high school students to earn college credit at Central Piedmont.

  • Emergency Medical Science Program Requirements and Suggested Course Sequence

    To earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree through the bridge pathway, you must complete a minimum of 21 credits within the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program at Central Piedmont. Credits earned through prior credentialing as a paramedic, including those obtained via the continuing education paramedic program at Central Piedmont, will not count toward this requirement.

    For comprehensive details about the Associate in Applied Science in emergency medical science, including course options, eligibility criteria, and requirements, please refer to the college catalog. Resources include:

    For assistance with course planning, contact your academic advisor.

    Important disclaimers:

    Participation in these programs may involve exposure to blood-borne pathogens and infectious diseases. Once admitted to the program, you must submit a completed health packet, which includes a physical examination. After beginning the program, you will be required to complete a criminal background check and drug screening, as mandated by clinical agency and healthcare system policies.

  • Locations and Course Delivery Methods

    Emergency medical science courses at Central Piedmont are delivered in several ways:

    • EMS 110 (curriculum) and select EMT 7306 (continuing education) classes are held on the Central Campus.
    • EMT 7306 (continuing education) evening classes are held on the Levine and Merancas campuses.
    • Combined (classroom/lab and online)
    • Online

    Certain combined hybrid courses, which include both classroom/lab and online components, require significant independent study in addition to weekly in-person sessions lasting approximately eight hours. These in-class sessions may include formal testing and skills labs to reinforce learning and assess proficiency.

    Course availability and schedules are subject to change each semester. Be sure to review the Associate in Applied Science in emergency medical science program options, course offerings, eligibility criteria, and requirements prior to each semester. 

  • NC EMS Credentials Reciprocity

    If you currently hold EMS credentials from other states, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), or the National Academy of Emergency Dispatchers (NAED), you may be issued a North Carolina EMS credential through legal recognition. If you wish to seek legal recognition, you must reside in North Carolina, attend an EMS educational program in North Carolina, or work for a licensed North Carolina EMS provider. A North Carolina Credentialing Information System (CIS) profile must be established online prior to making application. If you currently hold a North Carolina issued EMS credential, you may only apply for legal recognition at a higher or lower EMS credentialing level. Please visit the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services website for further information about legal recognition for NC EMS credentials or grace periods for expired credentials.

  • Costs and Aid

    Central Piedmont provides real-world, affordable, hands-on education and career training. Learn how much it costs to attend Central Piedmont. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

    • EMS 110: The cost is $76 per credit hour (9 credits) plus fees, and uniforms, totaling approximately $900. Textbooks and FISDAP access are covered by lab fees at no extra cost for the student.
    • EMT 7306: The cost is $180 tuition, $54.30 fees, $310 textbook/FISDAP bundle, and $62 - $81.23 for the uniform, totaling approximately $650.
    • Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT): Please contact Andrew Ross, EMS program director, with questions about this course.
    • Paramedic Academy:
      • Associate degree: The total estimated cost of the entire four-semester emergency medical science associate degree, including regular tuition and fees, is $6,060.38. As this is a curriculum course, qualifying students are eligible for financial aid.
      • Certificate: Please contact Andrew Ross, EMS program director, with questions regarding continuing education tuition as costs vary due to the possible fee waiver.

    Emergency Medical Science Program Scholarships

    If you are interested in the emergency medical science associate degree program, consider the NC Association of Rescue & E.M.S., Inc. Scholarships (not managed by Central Piedmont).

  • Related Programs

  • Admitted Students: Find Your Advisor

    If you are currently enrolled and taking classes, log in to MyConnect to find your assigned academic advisor.

    If you do not have an advisor, you can:

Application Requirements

Learn about how to apply for each of our EMS programs.

Get More Info

The Latest at Central Piedmont