Paramedic Studies Program Requirements and Application Information

Program Requirements 

  1. High School Diploma or GED (official transcript on file required)
  2. Minimum 2.0 GPA from either college or high school, whichever is most recent
  3. Entrance Exam
  4. Current EMT Certification and proof of EMT course completion
  5. Current CPR Certification for a BLS Provider from American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or Ventura county CAM.
  6. Employer Letter documenting a minimum of 1,000 hours of experience as an EMT provider
  7. Current Driver's License
  8. No misdemeanors or felonies on record

Strongly Recommended 

  1. Anatomy with Lab with a minimum grade of C
  2. Physiology with Lab with a minimum grade of C
  3. PM V96: Work Experience course (for applicants with non-911 based EMT experience)

Prehospital Experience Requirements

Students must have a minimum of 1000 hours of EMT field experience with a preference for primary "911" response as an EMT. Equivalent experience may be considered and may require the PM V95 Work Experience Course. Submit a letter from your employer or experience documentation. Letter(s) from employer(s) must be submitted with your online program application, on letterhead, and addressed to the Ventura College Paramedic Program Director. The letter must include the candidate's name, date of hire, length of employment, and job title with a description of duties. This letter must also include the total number of hours worked. Instructions and a sample letter will be provided to eligible applicants. 

For Associate Degree Candidates Only

If you wish to earn an Associate of Science (AS) Degree in EMS: Paramedic Studies from Ventura College, along with your paramedic license, you must select this placement track with a Health Sciences Academic Counselor so that you are informed of the academic requirements for the Degree. These academic requirements differ from "entrance requirements" into the Paramedic Studies Program. 

Candidates must verify with Admissions and Records that all required transcripts are on file prior to the counseling appointment. 

To schedule the counseling appointment, call (805) 289-6448 and schedule an appointment with either Health Science Counselor, Angelica Gonzales, or Beatriz Herrera. 

May 2026 Part-Time Cohort Application Process and Timeline

 

Phase1: Eligibility and Application

ActionDeadline/WindowNotes
Apply for Admission to Ventura College Deadline: ASAPRequired to get a student ID and VCCCD email (needed for notifications.  
Complete Eligibility Form Available: 10/6/2025 – 12/4/2025 The application link will be emailed 5–6 business days after submission (if eligible).  
Submit a Paramedics Program Application using the link provided to you in the email notification.  Deadline: 12/12/2025Applicants are placed on a list in the order that their completed application is received.  

Phase 2: Supporting Documents

ActionDeadlineNotes
Schedule Exam12/12/2025Applicants must complete the Eligibility Form first, and wait to receive notification that they are eligible to apply before scheduling an exam. Email request to sescobar@vcccd.edu. Dates: 10/16/25, 10/27/25, 11/13/25, 11/17/25, 12/11/25. Seats are limited; schedule early. 
Submit Employer Letter12/12/2025Applicants will receive instructions on how to submit the employer letter when they receive their application link. 
Submit Official Transcripts12/12/2025Official High School/GED transcript must be on file by the deadline. Applicants must also submit an official transcript for their EMT course by this deadline if they did not attach an EMT course document of completion to their application. 
All Materials Due12/12/2025HARD DEADLINE. All materials (application, test scores, employer letter, and transcripts) must be on file by this date. Failure to meet this deadline results in disqualification. 

Phase 3: Review and Admission

ActionDatesNotes
Application Review1/02/26 - 1/23/26All applications will be reviewed during this time. 
Admission Notification1/26/26 - 1/30/26Applicants will receive an email regarding their admission status. 
Mandatory Orientation3/06/26Applicants admitted to the program will be required to attend the mandatory orientation. 

Important Dates

*Mandatory Dates for Admitted Students Only 

DateTimeTimeline and Requirements
August Admission notification Sent: Full-Time Paramedic Cohort
October 6 - December 12 Application Window: Part-Time Paramedic Cohort
*October 13, 20251000-1500Mandatory New Paramedic Student Orientation: Full-Time Paramedic Cohort
*December TBD, 20251500All course requirements must be complete (i.e., medical screenings, immunizations, CPR, background check, drug, and alcohol screening, and limited liability insurance): Full-Time Paramedic Cohort
*January 12, 20260700First day of instruction: Full-Time Paramedic Cohort
January  Admission notification Sent: Part-Time Paramedic Cohort
*March 6, 20260900-1400Mandatory New Paramedic Student Orientation: Part-Time Paramedic Cohort
TBD Application Window: Full-Time Paramedic Cohort.
*May TBD, 20261500All course requirements must be complete (i.e., medical screenings, immunizations, CPR, background check, drug, and alcohol screening, and limited liability insurance): Part-Time Paramedic Cohort
*May TBD, 20260700First day of instruction: Part-Time Paramedic Cohort