Mt. San Jacinto College to launch new paramedic program

EMS students at Mt. San Jacinto College will now have a broader program to join.

Press release from Mt. San Jacinto College:

Mt. San Jacinto College is proud to announce the launch of its new Paramedic Program, starting in the summer of 2025. This cutting-edge, in-person program will be hosted at the San Jacinto Campus, offering a cohort of 24 students selected through a competitive application process. Students must complete prerequisites, including Anatomy 101 and 102, and have 1,000 hours of experience as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), to qualify for admission.

Designed to meet the standards set by the National Registry of Paramedics, the program maintains an exceptional 6:1 student-faculty ratio to ensure individualized instruction. The comprehensive one-year program is fully funded by Riverside County, with the grant covering all expenses, including tuition, books, uniforms, labs, parking, and exam fees. MSJC plans to start a new cohort every six months, with funding secured for four total cohorts.

James Scholl, a retired Fire Captain/Paramedic with 27 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), serves as the Program Director. Schol has been instrumental in expanding the EMT program at MSJC since joining the college in February 2023. Under his leadership, the EMT program has grown from 30 students to 87 across the San Jacinto and Menifee Valley campuses, with plans to expand to the Temecula Valley Campus in the future.

The EMT program, which runs for one semester with cohorts starting in both fall and spring, serves up to 30 students per cohort. Completing the EMT program also provides students additional points toward entry into MSJC’s nursing, radiology, and diagnostic sonography programs. Approximately 50 percent of EMT students qualify for the Riverside County Regional Equity and Recovery Partnership (RERP) grant, which covers all expenses through October 2025.

Scholl highlights the impact of the EMT program, stating, “This program serves diverse needs and provides students the opportunity to start working immediately at a hospital, fire department, or with an ambulance service. It is a clever way for students to find out if the medical field is the right fit for them.”

Speaking on the new Paramedic Program, Scholl expressed his excitement: “Our paramedic program will fill a void in Southwest Riverside County, where there is high demand from private companies and fire departments. Upon graduation and passing the exam, our students will be making a livable wage. This is a dream come true for me. When I retired from the fire department, this was my dream—to build this program from the ground up. To say I am passionate about it is an understatement.”

For more information on the upcoming Paramedic Program or the EMT program at MSJC, visit MSJC's official website or contact the San Jacinto Campus.