As always, Ridryder911 is the one to listen to here. He's the only experienced paramedic educator with advanced education who has commented on the thread so far. You'll want to take advice on advanced education, from those who have no advanced education, with a grain of salt, at best.
To elaborate on Rid's succinct points:
Having experience is nice and required in some areas, but should NOT be.
Although some schools may require it, EMT experience is not necessary or even advisable for success in paramedic school. it's just a hoop that people want you to jump through so that you don't get ahead any faster than they did. It may help you decide if you really want to do EMS for a career, if you are at all unsure. But otherwise, EMT experience is completely overrated and will almost always delay your professional development. Do you wish you had taken a couple years off between middle school and high school to get life "experience"? Of course not. Nuff said. It's not even a sound theory. Avoid it if at all possible.
Check for nationally accredited programs...
Here is where to find Nationally Accredited programs:
http://www.caahep.org/Find_An_Accredited_Program.aspx
Don't bother looking for Massachusetts. There is not a single accredited program in the entire state. You're going to have to leave the state to find accredited paramedic education.
...after you have obtained your general education start searching for a good Paramedic program.
The general education Rid speaks of is the scientific (physical and social sciences) foundational education found in the college prerequisite courses that are recommended for pre-paramedic preparation. Just because you attend a school that doesn't require them doesn't mean you shouldn't take them. Before you even think of applying for a paramedic school, you should complete,
as a very minimum, the following college courses:
* Anatomy & Physiology I and II with laboratories
* Microbiology
* Chemistry I
* Algebra
* Intro Psychology
* Developmental Psychology
* Intro Sociology
There are other courses that will be required for graduation with a degree, and are important to your professional development. However, those courses are not science courses, and can be completed concurrently with medic courses without completely overloading you, if you are a good student. The above listed courses will take you a full semester year to complete. If you need to work as an EMT during that time to make ends meet, that is understandable. However again, it is not recommended. Not only does work experience as an EMT give you numerous bad habits and bad ideas that hurt you as a medic student, but it is simply almost impossible to attend college full time and get maximum benefit from your courses while working an EMT schedule. So again, if at all possible, avoid working as an EMT during this time.
Whether or not you choose a degree program is not as important as the quality of the program itself. So long as you complete the same college prerequisites BEFORE attending a tech school certificate program, your final educational preparation can be every bit as good as any degree program. And many colleges will allow you to transfer that tech school time over to them to complete your degree in a very short time. But remember that, when it comes to education, more is better. It doesn't matter if your school lasts 4 months or two years, it still all breaks down to actual hours. Regardless of how many months it took, a 2000 hour course beats an 800 hour course any day. Look for quality and quantity when choosing your school.
Good luck!
