Class size and location

The Emergency Medicine Paramedic program admits up to 20 students every year on a competitive basis. Applicants have the option of training in three Minnesota cities — Albert Lea, Duluth, or Rochester. 

Admission requirements

Prerequisites

To be eligible for the Emergency Medicine Paramedic Program, you must:

• Have a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Be 18 years of age by the start of the program
• Possess current national certification at the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) level
• Be currently certified in Basic Life Support by the American Heart Association
• Have a current valid driver's license
• Complete one college-level course for those who are first-time college students
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Applicants have three options to enter the program:

1. Enter the program with a high school diploma or GED with one college-level course completed prior to the start of the program.
2. Earn an Associate of Science Emergency Medicine Paramedic degree in partnership with Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) located in Rochester, Minnesota. Applicants complete 32 credits at RCTC and 40 credits at Mayo Clinic to complete their A.S. degree. Note: If you are currently enrolled at RCTC, you are required to apply and be accepted into the program. Not all students enrolled at RCTC are guaranteed acceptance into the program.
3. Enter the program with an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution with completed required prerequisite coursework.

Prerequisite coursework

Applicants who have not previously attended college are required to complete one college-level course prior to the start of the program. HCOP 1610: Medical Terminology: Body Systems and Diseases is recommended and can be taken at Rochester Community and Technical College.

Competitive applicants

Applicants are most competitive if they have at the time of application:

• Current NREMT EMT - Basic License
• Current American Heart Association BLS provider card
• Taken a college-level course

Applicants who can demonstrate the following attributes:

• Problems solving skills
• Teamwork
• Compassion
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Readiness to learn

Advanced placement

Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences does not currently offer advanced placement to students who are seeking to graduate or become eligible to take the National Registry or state examination at the paramedic level.

All students seeking to graduate or become eligible for the National Registry or state examination must complete all of the requirements of the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Emergency Medicine Paramedic Program.

Non-U.S. citizen applicants

Admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is open to U.S. workers in the four categories below. Therefore, visa sponsorship is not available.

1. U.S. citizens
2. U.S. nationals
3. Lawful permanent residents
4. Asylees and refugees

Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions. Learn more about the exam and register online at the Educational Testing Service.

The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences code for the TOEFL iBT is 5784.

Educational transcripts from schools outside the U.S. must be translated (if they are not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalence by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of qualified companies. The applicant pays for the examination and credential-evaluation services.

Application process

Your application and all supporting documentation must be received between Jan. 1 and April 29 of the year you wish to begin classes. The program begins the following August. 

Application instructions

Complete the following steps to apply:

1. Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
   • Select - Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
   • Select - Emergency Medicine Paramedic Program
2. Complete each section of the application and submit
3. After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents
   • Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section
   • Complete the Recommendation Request section

Additional required items

• CV/resume
• Basic Life Certification by American Heart Association
• National Registry EMT card
• Minnesota EMT (EMSRB) Provider card
• The essay should be uploaded into the supplemental items section
• The essay should be 500 words in length
• The essay prompt is: Explain the motivation behind your decision to pursue a career as a paramedic, highlighting your values and experiences that drive your desire to provide medical care to individuals in critical situations.
• Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded in the Supplemental Items area for application purposes. If admitted to the program, official transcripts must be provided directly from the institution(s) to the program prior to the start of the program.
• Two recommendations are required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. Each recommender will receive an email with a link to complete a recommendation form. Family and friends are not accepted.

• • General recommendation: Choose a person familiar with your potential for success in the EMS field. References may include current or former teachers, counselors, professors, employers, or supervisors.
  • Professional recommendation: Choose a person familiar with your professional qualifications and your potential for success in the field of EMS. References may include employers or supervisors. Your Emergency Medical Services (EMS) supervisor is preferred. 

Interview process

• Students will be notified of interview opportunity by 5 p.m. CT on May 1, 2026
• Interview week will be May 11-15, 2026
• Virtual interview will be approximately one hour

Application to Rochester Community and Technical College

Associate degree track applicants only:

• Once you are accepted into the Emergency Medicine Paramedic Program, you must also apply for admission to Rochester Community and Technical College.