Advice from Experienced Program Directors

We know that new program directors can find the accreditation process overwhelming. So, we surveyed experienced program directors, and more than 315 responded with valuable advice and insights.  

The most common theme is misunderstanding accreditation. Many initially thought accreditation was an adversarial or punitive process. They feared being overwhelmed by paperwork. And they assumed the process would be a nightmare. They were pleasantly surprised to find the opposite was true.

Respondents cited the CoAEMSP website as a valuable resource. And many praised CoAEMSP staff by name, thanking them for going the extra mile to help. 

Want to hear all the advice? Check out the full summary, which includes links to many helpful resources.

Fundamentals of Accreditation Workshop

for the EMS Professions

Registration is now open for March 19-20, 2024, in Irving, Texas

March 19-20, 2024

Texican Court

501 W Las Colinas Blvd.

Irving, TX 75039

March 19, 8 am to 5 pm

March 20, 8 am to noon

The accreditation workshop will educate participants on the 2023 CAAHEP

Standards and the accreditation process, enhancing the accreditation knowledge of Paramedic program faculty.

The workshop uses expert presentations, interactive group learning activities, and best practices to avoid common stumbling blocks.

Registration

• fee is $495
• includes 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and breaks
• limited to 60 people
• closes March 6, or when all seats have been filled, whichever comes first

Hotel room

• rate is $189++/night
• block ends on February 17, or when it fills, whichever comes first
• book online (select promo: group/block, then enter CoAEMSP)
• call toll-free 833-839-4226 (use code CoAEMSP)

2024 Dates

March 19-20, Irving, Tex

May 30, Oklahoma City, Okla. @ACCREDITCON

October 23-24, in-person, location TBD

No virtual workshops are planned for the remainder of 2024.

Why attend if you have already been to ACCREDITCON?



There is still plenty to learn to make the accreditation process smoother! Attend sessions you missed, listen to updates important to the EMS community and EMS education, and catch details you might have overlooked before!

ACCREDITCON is designed to support programs, carry out its mission “to advance the quality of EMS education through accreditation” and respond to the needs of nearly 800 Paramedic educational programs.

Nearly 600 guests attend ACCREDITCON each year, and the majority said they would return! ACCREDITCON:

• educates CoAEMSP constituents on the accreditation process
• provides tools for success
• offers answers to pertinent questions regarding initial and continuing accreditation
• includes presentations on topics having a direct connection with the accreditation process and the CAAHEP Standards

Visit the ACCREDITCON website for updates.

Annual Report for 2022 Graduates

Annual Reports are due May 15, 2024

On January 23, program directors of CAAHEP-accredited and CoAEMSP Letter of Review Paramedic educational programs, as of 2022, were notified their program’s Annual Report is due by May 15, 2024. The Annual Report is an important tool used to track the impact and effectiveness of our programs, and your program is an integral part of educating paramedics to serve the medical needs of our communities. If you did not receive the email, please email [email protected] or call 214.703.8445, ext. 115.

Several resources are available to assist you with completing and submitting the annual report. You will find them here. The resources include:

• FAQs
• Archived Webinars
• Recommended language to use when posting the program's outcomes
• Sample report

Congratulations!

Todd Birkhead, MEd, NRP, Program Director of the Paramedic Program sponsored by Arkansas Tech University-Ozark, Ark., earned the Master of Education degree conferred from Arkansas Tech University on December 16, 2021.

Samantha Grimsley, BAAS, LP, NRP, Program Director of the Paramedic Program sponsored by Weatherford College, Weatherford, Tex., was named the “Faculty Member on the Rise” for Weatherford College for the academic year 2023.

Eric Mann, MEd, NRP, I/C, Program Director of the Paramedic Program sponsored by Eastern New Mexico University, Roswell, NM, earned the Master of Education degree conferred from Eastern New Mexico University on December 16, 2023.

2023 CAAHEP Annual Report

Now Available Online



Number of Paramedic Programs