EMT Basic

The EMT Basic certificate program consists of two courses, EMSP 1501 (classroom and lab) and EMSP 1160 (clinical) for a total of six semester credit hours. Classroom instruction covers basic life support knowledge and skills criteria, clinical and field internship. Successful completion of the course requirements prepares the student for the National Registry of EMT certification examination. In some cases, this program is offered for non-college credit, but course requirements and outcomes remain the same.

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 can be found on the program's admission webpage. 

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 member's evaluation agency English translation.
• International applicants only: applicants from countries where English is not the official language are required to submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test. The minimum required scores are: TOEFL 84, IELTS 7.0, or Duolingo 115. Scores on TOEFL, IELTS, and/ or Duolingo tests taken more than two years prior to the date of application are not acceptable. 

Degree Requirements

The EMT Basic certificate program consists of six semester credit hours. Students are required to complete all didactic, laboratory, EMS, and clinical requirements. See the department website for availability.

The EMT Basic course completion certificate is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of all courses in the program with a cumulative GPA of 2.0. Upon successful completion of all coursework for the certificate, the student is eligible to take the exam for registration as an EMT - Basic through the National Registry of EMT. Upon successful completion of that examination, the student is eligible to apply for certification as an EMT-Basic in the State of Texas.

Plan of Study

Objectives/Program Outcomes

Students graduating from a Department of Emergency Health Sciences program must meet the essential function requirements of the academic program and profession. The program consists of academic study and clinical experience. The student will possess the skills and attributes necessary to perform as a professional before graduation from the program.

The Emergency Medical Technician—Basic is a preparation course for certification as an EMT—Basic. The course covers all the skills necessary to provide emergency medical care at a basic life support level with either an emergency service or other specialized service.

Program Policies

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 screening. 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