Program Tips

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing education plans based on their graduation audit. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students' potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services).

Library & Academic Support

The one-stop for academic help! Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, research guidance, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available in Commons.

Technology Requirement

This program requires an iPad which is included in the cost of the Tool Kit. Please reference the Tool Kit tip for more information. 

Tool Kit & Uniform 

• Students will be required to wear program uniforms throughout the program. This includes a program t-shirt, hospital scrubs, dress shirt, black polishable boots, and trousers.
• A Tool kit which includes safety equipment and an iPad will also be required. The uniform and tool kit cost is added on to the cost of the Paramedic class and will be given to the student after classes begin.
• Picture identification badges will be required when completing coursework off-campus, such as internship site work, and public education presentations.

Criminal Background and Physical Forms Requirement

A caregiver background check will be obtained from studetns the first paramedic course of the program.

A criminal background check must be in your clinical file for clinical placement.

Prior to course 803-130 (FireMedic Internship), a physican medical screening examination and drug screening examination is required to determine whether the student meets the physically fit-for-duty requirements (following NFPA 1582 requirements) of the internship site. This cost will be paid for by the student.

Program Prerequisite – Completion of EMT 2 OR Valid WI EMT License

Successful completion of EMT 2 with a 'B-' or better OR a valid WI EMT license are prerequisites for entry into the Associate Degree Program.  An important note: to begin your first clinical you must possess a current Wisconsin EMT License.

Coursework includes the following professional certifications:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• International Trauma Life Support (ITLS)

*Note: ACLS and PALS are a part of the Advanced Emergency Resuscitation 531 course and are aidable. ITLS is not, cost is typically around $85

Pre-Core Students

Students who have pre-core status have been accepted into the college but not into the program. Pre-core status may be granted because the program is filled to capacity, academic preparedness requirements need to be satisfied, or the program start date is in the future. By completing these courses ahead of time, students can decrease their credit load when they reach the highly demanding core program courses and increase their success rate in the program. It is strongly recommended that pre-core complete these courses while waiting to enroll (or before enrolling) in the core program. Students who complete these courses as pre-core students will NOT be able to finish the program early; core program courses must be taken sequentially. These courses are typically taken by pre-core students:  

• 801-136 English Composition 1
• 806-177 Gen Anatomy & Physiology (high school or college chemistry with a "C" or better or 836-133 Prep for Basic Chemistry is a prerequisite)*
• 809-198 Intro to Psychology
• 801-197 Technical Reporting
• 809-172 Introduction to Diversity Studies

Course Tips

• 503-105 Principles of Firefighting – Upon completion, the student is eligible to test for Firefighter I state fire certification. There is a fee for the fire certification exams.
• 503-146 Advanced Firefighting Concepts – Upon completion, the student is eligible to test for Firefighter II state fire certification. State certification as a Firefighter I is required for Firefighter II state certification.
• 531-923 Paramedic Capstone – During this capstone, the student will perform required skill competencies at an approved site under the direct supervision of an approved preceptor. The student will be required to complete documented practical skills application and observation at the Firefighter I Level. It is recommended that any general education course(s) taken during the capstone be taken online.

Clinical Compliance

 

To be compliant with CVTC's partnering clinical agencies and the agencies' regulating bodies, for example the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), students must be prepared to abide by vaccination mandates and health and safety guidelines as dictated by those bodies. Vaccination requirements and health documentation must be completed and on file in Clinician Nexus prior to entering the core courses of this program. CVTC will notify students at the appropriate time with a specified deadline. Students will receive an email invite from Clinician Nexus to create an account and upload their own clinical compliance documents. Students are responsible for maintaining their own records.  

Requirements for Paramedic Capstone

• Student must be state-certified at a minimum of Firefighter I
• The FireMedic program director and a site representative will interview capstone candidates. (Capstone site preference is not guaranteed.)
• To be approved as a capstone student, the student must successfully complete the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). The CPAT is a physically demanding test. Candidates must maintain a good level of physical fitness to be successful.
• Student may need to relocate or drive some distance if an internship site is not available within easy driving distance.
• The capstone requires 216 hours. Most fire departments operate with 24-hour duty days.
• The capstone is not a paid experience.
• A physician medical screening examination and drug screening examination is required to determine whether the student meets the physically fit-for-duty requirements of the internship site

Additional Program Costs

• Food, mileage, and lodging during clinical/internship
• Clinicals and internship will require 24-hour shift work, including Saturdays and Sundays (may require students to adjust their work schedules)
• Criminal Background Check
• Firefighter I and Driver/Operator Certification Exams
• ACLS, PALS, ITLS Certification Examinations (ITLS Certification Examination ~$85)

NREMT Paramedic Exam

• The NREMT is not included in the Paramedic program or required by the program to graduate. The NREMT is required to obtain certification as a Paramedic in most of the U.S.
• $125 - Written Exam Fee
• $250 - Practical Exam Fee

Advanced Placement Option

Individuals who have met the following requirements are eligible for advanced standing to pursue the Paramedic Technician Associate Degree:

• Hold a valid Wisconsin Paramedic License, and
• Have successfully completed 12 or more credits out of the core courses (numbered 531) from the CVTC Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Advanced Technical Diploma program

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student's program to be eligible although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact the Student Success and Accessibility at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund.  More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Title IX Pregnancy and Related Conditions

CVTC does not discriminate against any student based on pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Related conditions include, but are not limited to, childbirth, breastfeeding/pumping, miscarriage, abortion, false pregnancy, and recovery from these or related conditions. Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to reasonable modifications to ensure equal access to the CVTC’s educational program and activity. Any student seeking reasonable modifications must contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to discuss appropriate and available modifications based on their individual needs. Students are encouraged to request pregnancy-related modifications as promptly as possible. 

Last Updated: March 2, 2026 @ 4:58 p.m.