FAQ

General Information

• How much is tuition at the University of South Alabama?
  This link will provide up-to-date information on tuition costs.

• Is there financial aid available for EMS students?
  Yes.  Please call the University's Financial Aid Office at (251) 460-6231 for more information.  Be sure to tell them that you are enrolled in the EMS Degree Program.

EMT Certificate Program

• How many credit hours are offered in the EMT certificate program?
  The EMT certificate program provides 8 semester hours of college credit (does not apply to non-credit students).

• How often does the department offer the EMT course of instruction and at what times and days do the classes typically meet?
  The department offers the EMT course of instruction at least three times a year on the University's Brookley campus. The classes typically meet according to this schedule:

• What is the difference between “non-credit” and “credit” students?
  The department allows for a certain number of EMT students to register as “non-credit” students. Students may elect to register as a non-credit student for one or more of the following reasons:
• the student does not meet University-level admission requirements, i.e., ACT scores, GED scores, etc.
• the student has no desire for college credits (not ever going to pursue a degree);
• the student's employer (if applicable) will only pay for tuition costs and not the added fees (activity/athletic fees, transportation fees, etc.) that are typical of traditional academic credit students.
• NOTE: The student MUST have earned a high school diploma or equivalence (GED) in order to apply for non-credit registration.

• If I take EMT as a non-credit student and pass the course, will I be eligible to apply for the Paramedic level program?
  All EMT students, regardless of their status (non-credit or credit), are eligible for the following after successfully completing (80% or higher) the EMT program:
• a completion certificate issued by the department; and
• to sit for the National Registry written and practical (state board) exams; and
• to apply for admittance to the Paramedic program just as any other credit student.

• What do I need to do to prepare for my EMT advising appointment?
  In order to be admitted into EMT training, the EMT candidate must complete several steps and/or have documentation verifying that they were taken. The candidate should then bring the documentation to the initial EMT advising.
  • Download the application package and print it out (package is an Adobe PDF file).
  • Following the directions in the package, READ, FILL OUT, and SIGN the paperwork.
  • Accumulate inoculation records: NOTE: Achieve inoculation or titer of any required inoculation that you do not previous have or have records of.
    • Measles, Mumps and Rubella individual inoculation dates OR
    • MMR Trivalent inoculation dates.
      • NOTE: Two doses of measles vaccine are required for students born after 1956, one dose administered after 1980, one dose given as part of a MMR.
      • NOTE: Measles, Mumps and Rubella antibody titer status within prescribed limits can suffice for inoculation dates not available.
    • Td/Tdap (Tetanus & Diptheria) inoculation dates (within 10 years)
    • Hepatitis B Virus (three inoculations; initial, thirty days, 180 days)
      • NOTE: Hepatitis B Virus antibody titer status within prescribed limits can suffice for inoculation dates not available.
    • Varicella Zoster (chicken pox) Virus inoculation dates OR disease verification by physician signature.
      • NOTE: Varicella Zoster Virus antibody titer status within prescribed limits can suffice for inoculation dates or physician verification not available.
    • Seasonal Flu/H1N1 (latest series available) inoculation date(s).
  • Accumulate record of TB skin test with negative result (within 12 months)
  • NOTE: All inoculation, titer and TB skin dates should be listed on the IMMUNIZATION RECORD in the application package. The non-credit applicant should bring the IMMUNIZATION RECORD form to the initial advising appointment. The for- credit applicant should take all medical records (Health Department printouts, etc) and the IMMUNIZATION RECORD form to the University of South Alabama main campus to the Student Health Services Office (Research Park Building III). A map is available here.
  Advise the Student Health Services Office that you are applying to the EMS Department in the College of Allied Health Professions and they will record your data and give you a printout, which is what you bring to your initial advising appointment.
  • Acquire and/or provide record evidence (i.e., card, letter) of comprehensive health care insurance (requirement of University for admission).
  • Acquire Certified Background Check/Urine Drug Analysis from online provider.
    • NOTE: MUST use www.CertifiedBackground.com – click on “Students” and in the “Package Code Box” enter code: NV61
    • Average cost of CertifiedBackground fee is $75 and they accept Visa, Mastercard and money orders.
    • After you complete the online portion of the process you will receive a confirmation email (save or print for your records).
    • After the background check process is completed you will receive an email with instructions for obtaining the drug screen.
    • Results of both background check and drug screen are automatically reported to our office.
  • Prepare to bring pictorial ID to your appointment. Driver’s license, Military ID or other official pictorial ID is acceptable.
  • Achieve certification of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training at the healthcare provider level. American Heart Association “Healthcare Provider” OR American Red Cross “CPR for the Professional Rescuer” only will be accepted.
    • NOTE: American Heart Association “Healthcare Provider” certification is available through the EMS Education Department’s Office of Continuing Education-CME on approximately the first Monday of every month (if the first Monday is a holiday, then the second Monday). For information call 251-431-6418 for the Continuing Education Coordinator. You may also email from the Faculty/Staff page of this website.

Advanced EMT Certificate Program

• May I enroll in the Advanced EMT Program as a non-credit student?
  No. The only level at which a student can take coursework as a non-credit student at the University is at the EMT level. Students who wish to enroll in the Advanced EMT level program must submit an application to the University's admission's office and be formally accepted as a credit seeking student.

• What is required to be admitted to the Advanced EMT level program?
  Current Alabama licensure as an EMT, current inoculations and background screen and successful admission to the University. Due to high demand the application process should begin early the semester prior to the intended semester of training. All required measures and advising must be complete several weeks prior to the beginning of classes.

• Are Advanced EMT level classes offered during the day or in the evening?
  Advanced EMT level didactic classes are primarily offered during the evening hours from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on the University's Brookley campus. The skills component class times are in the daytime hours, primarily due to the lab, clinical and field internship requirements of the program.

• How many credit hours are in the Advanced EMT certificate program?
  The Advanced EMT certificate program provides 15 semester hours of college credit (this includes Medical Terminology AND Human Systems OR BMC 114 & 115).

• How long is the Advanced EMT certificate program?
  The Advanced EMT certificate program is completed in one semester and consists of didactic classes and the last two semesters are scheduled for labs, clinicals and field internships.

Paramedic Certificate Program

• May I enroll in the Paramedic level Program as a non-credit student?
  No. The only level at which a student can take coursework as a non-credit student at the University is at the EMT level. Students who wish to enroll in the Paramedic level program must submit an application to the University's admission's office and be formally accepted as a credit seeking student.

• What is required to be admitted to the Paramedic level program?
  Current Alabama licensure as an Advanced EMT, current inoculations and background screen and successful admission to the University. All required measures and advising must be complete at least two weeks prior to the beginning of classes.

• Are Paramedic level classes offered during the day or in the evening?
  Paramedic level classes are primarily offered during the evening hours from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on the University's Brookley campus. However, as the program progresses (last two semesters), class times move to the daytime hours, primarily due to the lab, clinical and field internship requirements of the program.

• How many credit hours are in the Paramedic certificate program?
  The Paramedic certificate program provides 31 semester hours of college credit.

• How long is the Paramedic certificate program?
  The Paramedic certificate program can be completed in three semesters, depending on the student’s progress. The first two semesters consist of didactic classes and clinical rotations and the third includes field internships. The last two includes labs.

Bachelor's Degree Program

• I completed my paramedic education at another institution. Can I transfer my Paramedic credits to USA to fulfill the Paramedic Core requirements in the BS degree curriculum?
  Transfer students who have successfully completed their paramedic education at another academic institution and who have maintained their paramedic license in good standing may apply to the department's Paramedic to BS in EMS Track. This special track requires students to pass a six (6) semester hour bridge course after being admitted to the professional component. At the completion of this course, students may be awarded up to 40 credit hours for their previous clinical education as a paramedic student.

• What is the professional component of the curriculum?
  After successfully completing all general education and pre-professional core classes, students may then apply to the professional component of the curriculum. At this point, the student's Major changes from Pre-EMS to EMS. The professional component consists of the Paramedic Core and the EMS Core. The typical student in the program; however, will have already completed their paramedic education, either through the department's academic certificate program or as a transfer student from another institution. Therefore, most students admitted to the professional component will begin with EMS Core classes.

• Can I enroll in the BS degree program even though I haven't finished paramedic school yet?
  Students can enroll as Pre-EMS Major students at any time during their academic studies. However, admission to the professional component (EMS Core) is contingent upon students completing all general education and pre-professional core courses outlined in the curriculum. As alluded to above, students are highly encouraged to complete all Paramedic Core requirements prior to starting the EMS Core. An application fee is required before taking EMS Core courses.

• How can I get my transcript evaluated to see what general education and pre-professional core courses I need to take prior to making admission?
  Prospective students may contact the department’s BS Degree Program advisor for help with transfer credit evaluations and other relevant issues dealing with transfer students. The department can provide students with an “unofficial” evaluation of transcripts; however, official transcript evaluations and acceptance of transfer credits rests with the University’s Admission’s Office.

• How long will it take for me to complete the EMS Core (34 semester hours) in the BS degree curriculum?
  The first group of students starting in the Fall of 2007 will be able to complete the EMS Core in five semesters.

• Will the EMS Core classes meet every weekend?
  No. The EMS Core classes will generally follow an “Executive Format” and will meet approximately one weekend per month (4 per semester). The remainder of class time will conducted through the University’s online Learning Management System in blended format.

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