Looking to make a difference in your community? Discover a rewarding and fast-paced career in Emergency Medical Services at WCJC! Our experienced faculty and hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities will prepare you to become a certified EMT or Paramedic.
This program prepares you to become an emergency medical care provider in a pre-hospital setting. EMT courses are offered at our Richmond, Wharton, and Bay City campuses, as well as off-site locations on occasion. Advanced EMT (AEMT) courses are offered at the Richmond and Wharton campuses, as well as off-site locations on occasion. Both programs have a day or evening option.
The Paramedic courses are offered at the Wharton campus. You can choose to be enrolled in only the certificate program or concurrently within the A.A.S. degree. After completion of the certificate, you can return to complete the A.A.S. degree. Learn more about your course schedule by reviewing the Academic Maps:
After completing the various program certificates (EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic), you are eligible for the National Registry exam. Upon successful completion of the National Registry exam, you are eligible for certification in Texas. Upon obtaining Texas certification, you can provide emergency medical care in various settings such as ambulance services, hospitals, and fire departments. After passing the exam, you may be eligible to apply for state certification/licensure through the Texas Department of State Health Services at the levels of EMT, AEMT, Paramedic, and Licensed Paramedic. You can also continue your education and pursue a bachelor’s degree in EMS or a related field.
Find career opportunities in emergency medical services, such as paramedics or emergency medical technicians (EMTs). You can also find employment in hospitals, ambulance services, minor emergency clinics, transfer services, or fire departments. Learn more information on Career Coach!
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Mr. Bonewald has been in Emergency Medical Services for over 40 years and has been a full-time EMS educator for 25 years. He received his Associate of Arts in 1995 from Wharton County Junior College, his Bachelor of Science in Technology from the University of Houston in 1999, and his Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and Instruction – Instructional Technology in 2003. He received his Paramedic education at Victoria College in 1985. Mr. Bonewald is a Licensed Paramedic in Texas. He is an Advanced Coordinator in EMS through the Texas Department of State Health Services and has been the WCJC EMS Program Director since 2014. He worked for several EMS agencies including Lavaca County Rescue Service, Washington County EMS, and the City of Wharton EMS.
Mr. Bonewald was named Faculty of the Year for WCJC in 2023. He received the NISOD Excellence Award in 2016 and 2023.
Office: Wharton Campus, Johnson Building, 148
Phone: (979) 532-6540
Email: bonewaldg@wcjc.edu
Ms. Villarreal is a Wharton County Junior College Alumni. She attended the EMS program in 2019-2021 and received her Associate Degree in Fall 2022. She began her EMS career for the City of Wharton in 2020 and then became a Paramedic/Crew Chief for Jackson County EMS. Ashley has worked for Wharton County Junior College since March of 2022 and is now the Clinical Coordinator for the EMS Program.
Office: Wharton Campus, Johnson Building, 146
Phone: (979) 282-1437
Email: villarreala@wcjc.edu
Mr. Becak received his Associate degree from Wharton County Junior College in 1981 and his paramedic certificate in 1997. He is a Licensed Paramedic in the State of Texas. He has been an EMS professional for over 38 years with El Campo EMS. Mr. Becak has been employed with Wharton County Junior College since 2007.
As a member of the Faculty, he instructs courses for the EMS program at our Richmond Campus. He assists in the coordination of Richmond campus courses. Additionally, he is a TDSHS Basic Course Coordinator.
Office: Richmond Campus, Room 112
Phone: (281) 239-1568
Email: becakf@wcjc.edu
Mr. Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas Lutheran University and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. He is a Licensed Paramedic with the NREMT and the State of Texas, and he is a state-certified EMS Instructor/Basic Coordinator. He has served in EMS since 1997 as an EMT, Advanced EMT, Paramedic, and Critical Care Medic (FP-C). He remains active with the Round Top Warrenton Volunteer Fire Department and Washington County EMS. In May 2022, he received the WCJC Excellence in Teaching Award and the NISOD Excellence Award.
He is a Basic Course Coordinator, the programs lab coordinator, and a lead instructor for Advanced EMT and EMT classes on the Wharton Campus.
Office: Wharton Campus, Johnson Building, 147
Phone: (979) 532-6968
Email: johnsonk@wcjc.edu
Ms. Giesalhart is the newest member of our Full-Time faculty at our Richmond Campus. She is a Nationally Registered Paramedic with over 19 years in serving the citizens of Wharton County in the public safety service. She is an experienced Paramedic professional with strong leadership and relationship-building skills that are necessary to possess as an efficient member of the WCJC EMS Program. She has been an adjunct instructor and lab assistant for the program since 2016. She has been a lead instructor for multiple dual credit EMT program for El Campo ISD and Louise ISD courses. She will be instructing in our Advanced EMT courses and our fall 2024 Paramedic course in Richmond.
Office: Richmond Campus, Room 140E
Phone: (281) 239-1557
Email: giesalhartd@wcjc.edu
Ms. Gonzales graduated in three years from East Bernard High School in 1999. She is a certified Paramedic with NREMT and the State of Texas and is a State of Texas certified EMS Instructor. Completed Paramedic Program at Wharton County Junior College in 2017. She has been employed with the City of Wharton EMS since 2008 and was appointed as EMS Director in 2021. She is an EMS Representative for Wharton County on the Board of Directors for Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council since 2021. She is currently the lead instructor for the Wharton campus EMT night class.
Office: Wharton Campus, Johnson Building, 116
Phone: (979) 532-6540
Email: gonzalesc@wcjc.edu
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Tune in to see our EMS students participate in state-of-the-art scenarios to prepare for the real emergencies they will encounter in the field.
EMT: 6 hours
Advanced EMT: 16 hours - Level I Certificate
Paramedic: 22 hours - Level II Certificate
A.A.S. Degree: 60 hours
Yes, to qualified students and veterans. Please contact the WCJC Financial Aid Office for assistance.
We offer day and evening courses. EMT courses are held every semester (fall, spring, and summer) at both the Wharton and Richmond campuses. EMT courses are available at our Bay City campus in the fall and spring semesters, as well. Advanced EMT courses are offered at the Richmond and Wharton campuses in the fall and spring semesters. The AEMT course is the first semester of the Paramedic course. The EMT-Paramedic classes are held at the Wharton and Richmond campuses.
Below is a typical schedule for the EMS program, but is subject to change. On occasion, the program does offer off-campus instruction. Please contact the program for more details.
Richmond Campus
Wharton Campus
Bay City Campus
All clinical classes are TBA and are arranged through the EMS Clinical Coordinator. Those hours are in addition to the hours noted above.
Portions of the various courses are offered online and internet access will be required. If the student has internet access issues, the college has available open computer labs for student access.
High School dual credit students are coordinated through the school district and the college. Days and times vary by offering.
NONE, but we do allow you to miss approximately 10% of the total number of class hours, but these hours need to be made up. Please check with your lead instructor for additional information.
Yes! EMS departments, private services, transfer services, and hospital providers hire EMS professionals.
Class uniforms, books, note-taking materials, a penlight, stethoscope, and EMS shears.
You may pay at the Business Office of any WCJC campus using cash, credit card, check, or money order. You may also pay through the WCJC Online Services.
The tuition/fees must be paid at the time of class registration. Payment plans are available. Visit the 'Students' area on the WCJC website for available options and fees. Payment plans are available.
No. A High School diploma or GED is required for admission to WCJC. There are no TSI reading, writing or math requirements for this program.
Yes. The program follows the college holiday schedule.
You may get program information from our catalog, the EMS program webpage, or by calling the EMS office at (979) 532-6540, (979) 532-6518, (979) 532-6968, (979) 532-6554 or (281) 239-1568.
Archived Master Syllabi
Here are the steps for accessing National Registry EMS Testing:
For videos on how to create an account and other helpful information, search the video library.
The Wharton County Junior College EMS program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: (727) 210-2350
Email: www.caahep.org
Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services
Professions (CoAEMSP)
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
Phone: (214) 703-8445
Fax: (214) 703-8992
Email: www.coaemsp.org
The Paramedic program of Wharton County Junior College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Texas Department of State Health Services: www.dshs.state.tx.us/emstraumasystems/default.shtm
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: www.nremt.org
CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic educational programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2022.
The program outcome results for the paramedic-level students who graduated in 2022 show a student retention rate of 76.7%, a 59.3% pass rate for the National Registry Written Exam after three attempts, (a 77.8% pass rate for the National Registry Written Exam after four to six attempts,) and a 100% Positive Placement (employment). These are the results as of May 14, 2024.
It's important to note that the graduates have up to 24 months to complete National Registry requirements after course completion. There are several graduates that are eligible to attempt the National Registry Paramedic exam from 2022 cohorts. Results for the 2023 Paramedic Cohorts will be posted in 2025. These outcome results are only for paramedic-level students, not ECA, EMT, or AEMT students.
