The EMS programs meet or exceeds the required skills and knowledge as set forth by the National EMS Education Standards and the Oregon Health Authority DHS-EMS division. Programs are currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Oregon Health Authority DHSEMS. Each Committee on Accreditation (CoA) in the CAAHEP system works directly with programs in its discipline (CoAEMSP for Paramedicine) throughout the accreditation process.
Southwestern began offering the two-year EMT-Paramedic Degree in Fall 2008. The first on-site visit for program approval took place on May 28 and 29, 2009. In March of 2019, the Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic program was awarded continuing accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The next scheduled site visit is in 2023.