Paramedic Academy

[jsf1089]

I live in San Marcos, Texas currently as an EMT-Basic.. I'm looking to go to paramedic school sometime next spring. What schools would be the best option in my area and what are you all's opinions on them.

-San Marcos Training Center
-National EMS Academy (Austin, TX)
-ACC EMS

Are there any other ones in this area that are good that I missed? I'd really appreciate some feedback... thanks.

 

[medic417]

Make sure the program you attend is accredited. Here are the only ones in Texas.

http://www.jems.com/resources/directory/Accredited_EMT_and_Paramedic_Programs.html


Accredited EMT and Paramedic Programs
Part of the Annual JEMS Resource Guide
2008 Dec 2
Every year, JEMS updates this handy resource guide for EMS providers and administrators. The 2009 guide includes current contact information for hundreds of EMS-related organizations, associations, government agencies, accredited paramedic programs and EMS bachelor’s degree programs. Bookmark this feature so you can refer to it throughout the year.
ACCREDITED EMT & PARAMEDIC PROGRAMS

TEXAS
Austin Community College
Austin, TX
512/223-5918
www.austincc.edu
Brazosport College, Lake Jackson
Lake Jackson, TX
979/230-3426
www.brazosport.edu
Brookhaven College
Farmers Branch, TX
972/860-7860
www.dcccd.edu/EMSparamedic
College of the Mainland, Texas City
Texas City, TX
409/938-1211 x224
www.com.edu
Galveston College
Galveston, TX
409/944-1494
www.gc.edu
Houston Community College
Houston, TX
713/718-7694
www.hccs.edu
North Harris Montgomery Comm. College
Houston, TX
281/618-5781
http://ems.nhmccd.edu
San Jacinto College—Central/Pasadena
Pasadena, TX
281/476-1862
www.sjcd.edu
San Jacinto College—North Campus/Houston
Houston, TX
281/459-7151
www.sanjac.edu/program/emergency_medical.html
South Plains College
Lubbock, TX
806/885-3048
www.southplainscollege.edu/ems
Tarrant County College
Hurst, TX
817/515-6691
www.tccd.edu/campus/?menu=1
University of Texas/Brownsville
Brownsville, TX
956/882-5011
https://blue.utb.edu/emt/Program2.htm
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
210/567-7860
www.uthscsa.edu/emt
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center—Dallas
Dallas, TX
214/648-5246
www.utsouthwestern.edu
Wharton County Junior College
Wharton, TX
979/532-6540
www.wcjc.cc.tx.us

 

[8jimi8]

San Marcos Training Center has an ABYSMAL record for training. Do not waste your time or money there.

Austin Community College is a great class, but will take you almost 4 years to complete... kinda makes you wonder why they don't offer a bachelor's.

 

[austinmedic77]

ACC's paramedic program as A) Accredited and B) very all inclusive and contrary to the prior post it doesn't take anywhere near 4 years to complete the course work. It is a college level course and is very difficult but well worth it. The basic to paramedic cert is approx. 5 semesters and for the associate degree approx 6 semesters depending on if you do summer courses or not this can be as little as 2 years. Additionally, if you plan to apply at any of the local government services (ATCEMS, Wilco, Caldwell co, San Marcos Hayes county) it is a leg up on the competition if you have attended ACC. You will graduate far more prepared to be successful on the pre-employment testing for any of the said services/departments. They are all competitive hiring processes so give yourself the best chance to be successful. Additionally, the best education is always the best choice and learning after your cert is equally important ACC has good after cert education opportunities to include a comprehensive EMT-P to RN bridge program.