EMT Paramedic

Effective Spring 2018, the EMT Paramedic certificate program will consist of 16 courses for a total of 41 semester credit hours; the current program is a total of 30 semester credit hours. This option is a 2 semester program (Fall & Spring). Classroom instruction covers anatomy, physiology, patient assessment, advanced airway shock/trauma management, cardiovascular disease recognition and management, advanced treatment protocols for trauma, medical/special patient emergencies, clinical and field internship, and a final field practicum. Successful completion of the program requirements prepares a student for the National Registry of EMTs cognitive and psychomotor examinations. The department also offers this program in a condensed, full-time format for fire departments/EMS agencies/military under special arrangements not open to the general public.

Admissions Requirements 

Interested applicants should consult the department website for the most current modifications to these requirements, deadlines, and upcoming programs.

All applicants must meet the basic requirements for admission to the Department of Emergency Health Sciences. Admission to any EHS program does not guarantee eligibility for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or certification by Texas Department of State Health Services.  

All application materials must be received by the Office of the University Registrar by the application deadlines listed below. Applicants are encouraged to seek advisement from the School of Health Professions Office of Admissions and Special Programs. 

Application Deadlines:

For EMT-Paramedic certificate program:

• June 15 for August enrollment (Fall semester)
• Other dates as advertised or arranged for additional offerings

In addition to non-academic factors that are considered, admission requirements for all EHS programs include:

• Completion of the Texas Common Application.
• Criminal background check.
• Some clinical sites may require students to pass a drug screen or require additional immunizations (e.g., H1N1, annual seasonal flu). Applicants/students must cover the costs of the background check, drug screen, medical insurance, and immunizations.
• First-time College Students: Submit documentation of high school diploma or GED. Note: The EMT Basic and Paramedic programs are exempt from the Texas Success Initiative requirements.
• Official transcripts from each college and university currently or previously attended.  
• Applicants who are enrolled in college courses at the time of application should submit an official transcript showing courses in progress.  An updated transcript must be submitted upon completion of the courses.  Note: Transfer credits indicated on another school’s transcript are not accepted in lieu of submitting the original institution record for that coursework. Transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be submitted in the original language and must be accompanied by a NACES Members evaluation agency English translation. 
• Minimum overall GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
• Documentation of EMT certification for Paramedic Program enrollment. Students who currently are enrolled in an EMT course or who have completed EMT course work and are engaged in the credentialing process should provide a statement to this effect.
• International Applicants only: Submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores: minimum: 560 (paper), or 68 (internet).

Degree Requirements

Effective Spring 2018, the EMT Paramedic Certificate program will consist of 16 courses for a total of 41 semester credit hours; the current program is a total of 31 semester credit hours. Students are required to complete all didactic, laboratory, EMS, and clinical requirements.

Plan of Study for Fall 2017

Plan of Study for Spring 2018

Program Policies

Credit by Exam/Challenge Exam (BS-EHS)

A student may be eligible to earn credit for a course by passing the examination designated and administered by the department. 

The Department of Emergency Health Sciences offers two categories of students the opportunity to obtain academic credit by examination:

• certified/licensed EMS personnel who completed EMT-Basic and/or Paramedic coursework for non-credit through the Department of EHS; and students admitted to the EHS Bachelor of Science degree program.

Previous professional employment can potentially be accepted for EHS clinical course credit. A student’s work experience will be reviewed on an individual basis by the course directors and the department’s academic team. If the student fails a challenge examination/evaluation, he/she may enroll in and attend the corresponding course only during regularly scheduled course offerings in order to receive credit.

Students who wish to obtain credit by examination should contact the Department of Emergency Health Sciences at (210) 567-8760 [Call: (210) 567-8760] for further information.

Program Costs

In addition to required tuition and fees, there are costs for textbooks, scrubs, and equipment. There are also costs for criminal background checks, immunization, and drug screens (if required by clinical facilities). The full-time clinical fieldwork experiences included in the curriculum may require that students relocate and/or travel outside of San Antonio for the duration of the rotations. Fieldwork expenses will vary according to individual arrangements depending on the cost of travel, temporary housing, maintenance of local accommodations, etc. Students are encouraged to budget for major expenditures that could be associated with these assignments.  Detailed information about program costs can be found on the Department of Emergency Health Sciences website.

Courses