May 18 – Aug. 15, 2026
- Application deadline: February 1, 2026
- Required 3-day on-campus lab session in Omaha: July 23, 24 and 25, 2026 (all other coursework is online)
Online
Critical Care Paramedic Course
Creighton University’s Critical Care Paramedic course is designed to prepare students to take critical care and flight paramedic exams. It will equip paramedics with the advanced knowledge and hands-on skills needed to deliver exceptional critical care in high-stakes environments. Whether transporting patients between healthcare facilities by ground or air ambulance or responding directly to medical or trauma emergencies, this course provides the specialized training required for success in critical care settings. It combines flexible online learning with immersive, in-person training to ensure you’re fully prepared for real-world challenges—and for your certification exam. Participants will:
- Learn from seasoned critical care professionals
- Gain skills in advanced patient assessment and invasive care
This is a 4-month online asynchronous course with a 3-day skills lab on our Omaha campus.
Critical Care Paramedic Training Details
This unique online course ensures you understand and can apply what you are learning, and you will receive immediate feedback from critical care transport professionals. You’ll also put what you learn into practice when you attend a multi-day, on-campus invasive skills session.
Upon completion, student will be prepared to take the Certified Critical Care Paramedic (CCP-C®) and Certified Flight Paramedic (FP-C®) exams to be recognized as a certified critical care paramedic.
The program provides essential knowledge for those pursuing roles as a flight paramedic or looking to advance within specialized EMS teams. Here, you’ll find the training needed for critical care transport
To succeed in the online component of this course, you should plan to commit eight to 20 hours of independent online study each week. Over the course of four months, you’ll build the confidence, clinical judgment and leadership skills needed for critical care transport and flight paramedic operations, making you well-prepared for certification exams and the challenges of real-world emergency medicine.
Course Topics
The course covers several important topics including:
- Critical care in field and hospital environments
- Surgical airways
- Ventilators and CPAP/BiPAP
- Thoracostomy and chest drainage maintenance
- Central venous access devices
- Laboratory values interpretation
- 12-lead ECG interpretation
- Monitoring and maintaining IABP
- Hemodynamic monitoring
- Flight physiology
- Expanded pharmacologic formulary
Admission Requirements for the Critical Care Paramedic Course
To enroll in Creighton's Critical Care Paramedic course, you must be a current paramedic or registered nurse. Trauma, pediatric and medical life support coursework (PALS, PHTLS, AMLS, etc.) are strongly recommended. ACLS is also recommended but not required. Along with your application, you will need to supply your paramedic course or nurse training transcripts, a copy of your paramedic certification/licensure from all jurisdictions or nursing license, your resume, a short essay and contact information for three references.
You'll also need:
- A copy of your driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID.
- Copy of paramedic course or nurse training transcripts
- Copy of paramedic certification/licensure from all jurisdictions; or nursing license
- Resume
- Contact information for three references
- Short essay
- To be in compliance with the immunization requirements for Creighton Health Sciences students. Instructions for submitting immunization information will be provided in your acceptance materials. Review our immunization requirements.
- Access to a reliable computer and high-speed internet. View our technology requirements and recommendations.
Documents will be directly uploaded through the application portal.
Critical Care Paramedic Certificate Program Costs
The total, inclusive of tuition and associated University fees, for this program is $1,400.* Payment is due in full 60 days before the course start date. Other variable expenses include:
- Textbooks
- Certification exam fee
- Immunizations (if immunizations aren’t current)
- Parking pass for on-campus parking
- Travel, housing and meal expenses for the required on-campus skills session
Note: Creighton does not offer on-campus housing for these courses. Creighton-recommended lodging options near campus.
*Students registering for college credit will be billed at the current credit hour rate. The cost of tuition is subject to change.
Advance your career with the Critical Care Paramedic course.
When you successfully complete the Critical Care Paramedic course, you will receive a certificate of completion along with 108 hours of continuing education credit. You will also be prepared for the Certified Critical Care Paramedic (CCP-C®) and Certified Flight Paramedic (FP-C®) Exams, which are administered by the International Board of Specialty Certifications (IBSC), formerly the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification (BCCTPC®). Career paths include:
- Flight Paramedic: Provide critical care during air medical transport
- Critical Care Transport Paramedic: Deliver care during transfers between hospitals or specialized medical centers
- Specialized EMS Team Member: Join response units such as tactical EMS, neonatal/pediatric critical care or disaster response teams
- Emergency Department or ICU Paramedic: Support hospital-based emergency or critical care teams with advanced procedures and patient monitoring
- Leadership Roles in EMS: Use advanced clinical and decision-making skills to move into supervisory or administrative positions within EMS or transport organizations
Upcoming Course Dates
Aug. 18 – Dec. 12, 2026
- Application deadline: May 1, 2026
- Required 3-day on-campus lab session in Omaha: Nov. 19, 20, and 21, 2026 (all other coursework is online)
Jan. 12 – May 12, 2027
- Application deadline: Oct. 1, 2026
- Dates for required 3-day on-campus lab session in Omaha coming soon (all other coursework is online)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for the program?
Applicants must be licensed paramedics or registered nurses.
How long does the program take to complete?
The program is approximately four months long and requires eight to 20 hours per week. Additionally, there is a three-day onsite lab, with 8 hours of instruction and practice each day.
What certifications are earned upon completion?
Students receive a certificate of completion from Creighton and are prepared to take the FP-C or CCP-C exams to be recognized as a certified critical care paramedic.
Can I work while enrolled?
Yes, the program is structured with flexibility for working professionals.
What career opportunities are available after completing the program?
Students who complete this course may pursue roles in air and ground critical care transport, hospital units and EMS leadership.
A Note on Credentialing
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services does not recognize or credential critical care paramedics. Other states may offer their own endorsements for critical care paramedics. One option for formal credentialing is the certified critical care paramedic exam or certified flight paramedic exam, which are administered by the International Board of Specialty Certifications (IBSC). Creighton faculty and staff will collaborate with states and regulatory agencies that recognize critical care paramedics to help ensure our course is accepted.
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Contact Us
Phone: 402.280.1280
Email: ems@creighton.edu
