Paramedics are healthcare providers and public safety officials who deliver critical patient care at the scene of injury or illness and transport patients to or between healthcare facilities. Paramedics are specialists in prehospital and inter-facility medicine. Acting as physician extenders, paramedics intubate, administer complex medications, shock hearts, interpret blood gas measurements, program mechanical ventilators, deliver babies, extricate people out of mangled vehicles, perform confined space and high-angle rescue, manage disaster scenes and provide healthcare for a wide range of illnesses.
College of DuPage offers paramedic training, an Associate in Applied Science degree in Emergency Medical Services and a Paramedic certificate programs through partnerships with all Illinois EMS Region 8 Resource Hospitals:
- Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
- Edward Hospital
- Loyola University Medical Center
- Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
Program Applications
The Fall 2024 - Summer 2025 Good Samaritan Hospital Paramedic Program application is now available (closes June 3).
The 2025 program applications for Edward Hospital, Loyola University Medical Center and Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital will be posted on this page in late April/early May, 2024.
Students are strongly encouraged to prepare for paramedic training by completing Anatomy and Physiology 1500 (or both A&P 1551/571 and 1552/1572), Biomedical Terminology (HLTHS 1110) and take at least two of the following: Fire 2272 Paramedic Transition, Fire 2285 Trauma Assessment, Fire 2286 Pediatrics, and Fire 2287 Medical Assessment. These courses will prepare you for paramedic training and contribute to Continuing Education (CE) hours for NREMT re-certification and IDPH license renewal.
Application Packets
Each program has their own application packet and required documents. Read each application packet thoroughly and only submit what is required as additional documents will not be considered. An application fee is required for each program and is part of the application steps outlined in each application packet.
There is an entrance exam for each program followed by interviews for qualified applicants. Each program is responsible for determining which applicants are selected for their paramedic training program. All training and education is completed at the hospital training site and each paramedic training program has their own start and end dates, class dates and times and approved providers for field training.
In addition to a Paramedic Certificate Program, COD also offers an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Emergency Medical Services. Transfer opportunities for Bachelor Degrees in Emergency Medical Services and Healthcare Management are also available.
Program Outcomes
Learn more about training outcomes through each of our partnered paramedic programs:
- Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
- Edward Hospital
- Loyola University Medical Center
- Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
Program Accreditation
The paramedic training programs offered by Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Edward Hospital, Loyola University Medical Center, and Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital are all accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession (CoAEMSP).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355-113th Street N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
(727) 210-2350
caahep.org
CoAEMSP
8301 Lakeview Parkway
Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
(214) 703-8445
FAX (214)-703-8992
coaemsp.org
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