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March 24, 2025 - The Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) is pleased to announce that Midlands Technical College in Columbia, South Carolina, is the first Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) education program in the country to receive its Letter of Review (LoR), which signifies that the program is in the process of seeking accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the only nationally recognized accreditation organization for AEMT and paramedic education.
CoAEMSP began accepting applications for voluntary AEMT programmatic accreditation on January 1, 2025. Midlands applied for AEMT accreditation in January 2025 and, as an existing CAAHEP-accredited program, completed the abridged application process and Self-Study Report and was awarded its LoR.
When Benji McCollum, director of EMS programs at Midlands Technical College, heard last year about the launch of voluntary AEMT accreditation, he surveyed various program stakeholders, and the feedback was nearly unanimous – everyone supported pursuing accreditation.
McCollum believes accreditation will add value to the AEMT program. “An expert third-party holds the program accountable to key national standards that prepare students for the future EMS workforce. Even when the program is strong, accreditation is an opportunity to hear suggestions and new ideas that can improve what we do and how we do it,” said McCollum.
He also recognizes that the value extends to students and employers alike. “Voluntary AEMT accreditation ensures students are receiving a high-quality education, and it strengthens their path towards becoming a paramedic if they choose to, said McCollum. “The demand in the community for paramedics outpaces the supply at times. Employers know that a robust, high-quality AEMT program will be a valuable pipeline for future employees.”
Congratulations to Midlands Technical College and all the other programs that have already applied for voluntary AEMT accreditation. Visit the CoAEMSP website for more information on voluntary AEMT accreditation, and click here to read the announcement from Midlands Technical College.
The Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) works to advance the quality of EMS education through accreditation. CoAEMSP is the only organization recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) to provide accreditation services for paramedic and, beginning in 2025, AEMT education programs.
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