English Composition 1
Written communication, in almost every bachelor's general education core.
Self-paced online English Composition 1 course (ENG 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →TexasPublic safety
Texas Licensed Paramedic degree: the rule and the fastest credits toward it
Checked 15 Nov 2026 by the team. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
The short answer
The Texas licensed paramedic degree rule (25 TAC 157.40, run by DSHS) asks for an associate degree in EMS, or a bachelor's or higher degree in any field, from a school accredited by an agency the US Department of Education recognises. EMT-Paramedic certification needs no degree. Any bachelor's counts, so general education credits via a college transcript move you toward the licence.
The rule
Under 25 TAC 157.40, Texas Paramedic Licensure needs an associate degree in EMS or a bachelor's or higher degree in any field (a 4-year degree), from a school accredited by an agency the US Department of Education recognises, while EMT-Paramedic certification needs no degree.
The rule asks for An associate degree in EMS, or a bachelor's degree (usually 120 semester hours) in any field. The legal source is 25 TAC 157.40.
| Requirement | What the rule says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| EMT-Paramedic certification | Finish a paramedic course and pass the National Registry exam; no degree needed. | [2] |
| Paramedic Licensure | Associate degree in EMS, or a bachelor's or higher degree in any field. | [1] |
| Accreditation | The school must be accredited by an agency the US Department of Education recognises. | [1] |
| Proof | A college transcript documenting the degree. | [1] |
| Fee | $126 for Licensed Paramedic; $96 for EMT-P. | [2] |
| Rule | Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 157.40, Paramedic Licensure. | [3] |
Who decides
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), EMS and Trauma Systems decides how this rule applies to you. We read its published rule and the pages below; each was checked on 15 Nov 2026.
Which credits count
What counts
- A completed associate degree in EMS, or any completed bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, from a school with a USDE-recognised accreditor.
- Inside a bachelor's degree: general education and elective credits the degree-granting college counts, including outside credit it reviews and lists via a college transcript.
- Credit you already hold from your paramedic programme, if your college counts it toward the degree.
What does not count
- Course credits on their own: DSHS looks for a finished degree on a college transcript, not a number of hours.
- A degree from a school whose accreditor is not recognised by the US Department of Education.
- Continuing education hours for recertification; they renew a certificate but do not add up to a degree.
Courses that fit
Each course below is ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended for college credit. Whether it counts here is the decision of the college and of Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), EMS and Trauma Systems.
English Composition 2
The second writing course most degrees ask for.
Self-paced online English Composition 2 course (ENG 102). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Principles of Statistics
A common math requirement, and useful for EMS quality and research work.
Self-paced online Principles of Statistics course (Statistics 101). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Psychology
Social science credit that fits patient care and crisis work.
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Sociology
Social science credit for the general education core.
Self-paced online Introduction to Sociology course (Sociology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Principles of Philosophy
Humanities credit, often a gap for career-track students.
Self-paced online Principles of Philosophy course (Philosophy 200). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →The path via a college transcript
- Choose the degree firstPick a bachelor's degree at a college with a USDE-recognised accreditor and read how it counts outside credit and your paramedic training.
- Ask for a written credit planAsk the college which general education and elective slots outside credit can fill, and get the answer in writing.
- Take the courses around your shiftsUPI Study courses are online and self-paced, with ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit.
- Have the credit postedSend your ACE or NCCRS record to the college so it can list the credit via a college transcript.
- Finish the degree and apply to DSHSWhen the degree is conferred, apply for Paramedic Licensure online, submit the transcript and pay the fee.
TESU, UoPeople and Newlane are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; start with their own transfer pages, then any other college you already attend.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
What it costs
| Option | Price | For this rule | Price checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPI Study PRO | $99 a month, every course | $99 for each month you are subscribed; take as many courses as you finish in that time | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Austin Community College (in-district) | $85 per credit hour with fees, 2026-27 | A 60-hour associate degree is about $5,100 in-district at that rate | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Sophia Learning | $99 a month (or $299 per 4 months) | Monthly plan; up to two courses at a time | 15 Nov 2026 |
| StraighterLine | $99 a month plus $79 or more per course | Monthly fee plus $79 or more per course | 15 Nov 2026 |
Prices checked 15 Nov 2026 on each provider's own page. The degree-granting college charges its own tuition and fees for the degree; ask it first. DSHS fees: $126 for Licensed Paramedic, $96 for EMT-P.
What UPI Study cannot do here
- UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited; we do not grant degrees, and DSHS looks for a degree.
- Our courses do not replace a paramedic programme, the National Registry exam or clinical training.
- We cannot tell you a college will count our courses toward its degree; each college decides.
- We do not offer EMS-specific courses for an associate degree in EMS.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
Confirm in writing first
Ask the college that will grant your degree in writing which of these courses it will count, and check its accreditor on its own page, before you enrol.
Paramedic licensure in Texas: what the degree changes
Texas is one of the few states with two paramedic credentials. The EMT-Paramedic certificate is for people who finished an approved paramedic course and passed the National Registry exam. The Licensed Paramedic credential is the same clinical scope with one addition: a college degree. DSHS describes it as a two-year EMS degree or a four-year degree in any field.
The licence matters for the title on your patch and, in some services, for promotion, supervisory and teaching roles and pay steps. Your clinical skills stay the same. That is why the rule is useful to know: the degree does not have to be in EMS. A bachelor's in business, psychology, health administration or liberal studies counts the same, if the school has a recognised accreditor.
Associate degree in EMS or a bachelor's in any field: which route fits
Paramedics who trained at a Texas community college are often close to an Associate of Applied Science in EMS already, because the paramedic courses sit inside that degree. Finishing it may mean a handful of general education courses at that college. Ask your programme for a degree audit first; it is often the shortest route.
Paramedics who trained outside a college, at a fire academy or a private school, usually find a bachelor's degree the more flexible route. A degree-completion college may count your paramedic training and your general education credits together. This is where online, self-paced courses help, because they fit around 24-hour or 48-hour shifts.
- Trained at a community college: ask for an AAS in EMS degree audit
- Trained elsewhere: compare bachelor's degree-completion options
- Already have a degree in any field: you may qualify now; send the transcript
Online degree credits for Texas paramedics: how UPI Study fits
UPI Study offers general education courses with ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit: English composition, statistics, psychology, sociology, philosophy and more. They are online, self-paced and end in a final exam, so you can study between calls. The credit counts toward a degree only when the degree-granting college reviews it and lists it via a college transcript.
Start with the partner colleges, TESU, UoPeople and Newlane, which consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit. Check each college's accreditor on its own site, because DSHS asks for a school accredited by an agency the US Department of Education recognises. Then ask the college for a written plan before you take a course.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between an EMT-Paramedic and a Licensed Paramedic in Texas?
Both have finished a paramedic course and passed the National Registry exam. A Licensed Paramedic also holds a degree: an associate degree in EMS, or a bachelor's or higher in any field, from a school with a USDE-recognised accreditor. DSHS fees are $96 for EMT-P and $126 for Licensed Paramedic.
Does the degree for Texas paramedic licensure have to be in EMS?
Only if it is an associate degree. DSHS asks for an associate degree in EMS, or a bachelor's or higher degree in any field of study. A bachelor's in business, psychology or any other subject meets the rule if the school has a USDE-recognised accreditor.
Can I upgrade from EMT-Paramedic to Licensed Paramedic later?
Yes. Once you finish a qualifying degree, you apply for Paramedic Licensure with DSHS and send the college transcript that shows the degree. Check the current application steps and fee on the DSHS certification pages before you apply.
Do online degrees count for Texas paramedic licensure?
DSHS asks about the school's accreditation, not whether you studied online. A degree from a school accredited by an agency the US Department of Education recognises meets the academic part. Confirm the school's accreditor on its own site and on the Department of Education's database.
How many credits do I need for a bachelor's degree?
Most bachelor's degrees need about 120 semester credits. Degree-completion colleges often count prior college credit, and some count professional training such as paramedic courses. The college decides how many of your credits it will use, so ask for a written evaluation first.
Can UPI Study courses count toward my paramedic degree?
They can count only if your degree-granting college decides to use them. Our courses carry ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit, which many colleges consider. Ask the college in writing which general education or elective slots they could fill before you enrol.
Read next
- EMT-Paramedic vs Licensed Paramedic in Texas: what the degree changesEMT-Paramedic vs Licensed Paramedic in Texas comes down to one thing: a degree. Both finish a paramedic course and the National Registry exam. A...
- Any bachelor's counts: how Texas paramedics finish a degree while on shiftA bachelor's degree for Texas paramedics can be in any field: DSHS asks only that the school be accredited by an agency the US Department of...
The same topic in nearby states
Ready when you have it in writing
General education courses you can take between shifts.
Sources
- DSHS: EMS Reciprocity Certification (official)Licensure needs an Associate's Degree in EMS, a Bachelor's or higher degree in any field, or a post graduate degree, from a school accredited by an agency the US Department of Education recognises; a college transcript is submitted; EMT-Paramedic needs no degree. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- DSHS: Initial Certification-Licensure (official)Paramedic Licensure is for those with a two-year EMS degree or a four-year degree in any field; EMT-Paramedic is for those who finished a paramedic course without a degree; fees $126 (Licensed Paramedic) and $96 (EMT-P). Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- DSHS: EMS Rules and Laws (official)Lists Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 157.40, Paramedic Licensure, as the governing rule. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Austin Community College newsroom: tuition freeze for 2026-27Price for Austin Community College (in-district), checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Sophia Learning: Plans and pricingPrice for Sophia Learning, checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- StraighterLine: PricingPrice for StraighterLine, checked on 15 Nov 2026.