ROWLETT, Texas — The Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) announced that Midlands Technical College in Columbia, South Carolina, is the first Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) program in the nation to receive a Letter of Review (LoR).
This designation indicates the program is actively pursuing accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the only nationally recognized accrediting body for AEMT and paramedic education, the committee stated in a press release.
CoAEMSP began accepting applications for voluntary AEMT accreditation on Jan. 1, 2025. Midlands Technical College applied that same month and, as a previously accredited CAAHEP program, completed the shortened process to earn its Letter of Review. EMS Program Director Benji McCollum said strong support from stakeholders made the decision to pursue accreditation an easy one.
“An expert third-party holds the program accountable to key national standards that prepare students for the future EMS workforce,” McCollum said. “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.”