FAQ

General Information

▼   Is there financial aid available for EMS students?

Yes. Please contact the University's Financial Aid Office for more information. Be sure to tell them that you are enrolled in the EMS Degree Program.

 

EMT Certificate Program

▼   May I enroll in the EMT Program as a non-credit student?

No. Students who wish to enroll in the EMT level program must submit an application to the University's Admission's Office and be formally accepted as a credit seeking student.

▼   How many credit hours are offered in the EMT certificate program?

The EMT certificate program provides 8 semester hours of college credit. When attending with intent to continue on to AEMT an additional course, EMS 210 – Medical Terminology (a pre-requisite for AEMT) is typically taken simultaneously. The resulting course load is 11 semester hours.

 

Advanced EMT Certificate Program

▼   May I enroll in the Advanced EMT Program as a non-credit student?

No. 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?

Course schedules vary by semester and are dependent upon class size.

▼   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.

 

Paramedic Certificate Program

▼   May I enroll in the Paramedic level Program as a non-credit student?

No. 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?

Each individual must apply to the University of South Alabama and be accepted as a student.
After admission to the University, the student must submit a completed EMS Student Packet to be accepted into the Paramedic program.

 

Please follow the required steps that are listed under the Admissions Requirements for admission to the Paramedic program.


The paramedic student applicant must have a current National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) EMT certification, State of Alabama EMT license, and a course completion certificate from a state approved Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) course. If the student has an NREMT AEMT certification, an Alabama AEMT license is required.

 

EMS-200 Human System and Pathophysiology (3 hrs) or BMD 252 or equivalent EMS-210 Medical Terminology (3 hrs)

▼   Are Paramedic level classes offered during the day or in the evening?

The Paramedic courses are only offered during the day on Tuesday or Thursday, depending on the start of the cohort.

▼   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?

There are two paramedic cohorts each year.  One cohort starts in the Spring semester with the completion at the end of the Fall semester of the same year.  The other cohort starts in the Summer semester and is completed at the end of the Spring semester of the following year.  Each cohort has required in-person class once a week, Tuesday or Thursday, depending on the start of the cohort.  Class times for both cohorts are from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM for the first two semesters.  The third semester class times are from 8:00AM – 12:00PM.

The Paramedic certificate program is completed in three consecutive semesters (Spring, Summer, Fall or Summer, Fall, Spring) depending on when the cohort starts.  The first two semesters consist of didactic and lab classes (one day/week) with clinical and field rotations scheduled throughout the two semesters.  The third semester of each cohort consist of didactic/lab knowledge testing (one day/week) with capstone field internship scheduled throughout the semester.  

 

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) 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.

 

Professional Health Sciences (PHS) Bachelor’s Degree

▼   What is Professional Health Sciences, PHS?
Professional Health Sciences is the administrative, behind-the-scenes aspect of healthcare. The curriculum includes broad topic courses in health-related fields which primarily prepares the student for administrative roles in healthcare. Many pre-health students may choose this major while aspiring to a graduate clinical degree such as Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Occupational therapy, etc. Those interested in administration may plan to apply to the Master in Public Administration (MPA) or the Master in Business Administration (MBA) upon completing the Bachelor of Science in Professional Health Sciences.
▼   What can I do with a PHS Degree?
Those with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Health Sciences may work in hospitals, clinics, dental practices, nursing homes, schools, government agencies, in private or public health or administration, or for non-profit organizations. Career opportunities will vary based on the level of education, experience, expertise, and other similar situations.
▼   Are there any helpful organizations I should join?
Those students who are interested in healthcare administration would benefit from joining the Society of Healthcare Management Students Club here on campus, Instagram, Facebook and/or the Healthcare Leaders Associations of Alabama, HLAAL.
▼   Are there any healthcare management internship opportunities for this major?
Yes! This is a 3 credit-hour course and you must be a current PHS student to register for this class. This course is only open in the Spring semester and spots are very limited. The internship requires at least 100 hours in a healthcare management setting. We have various sites in the Mobile and Baldwin county areas that students can choose if they are selected for this. If you are interested in applying for an internship please reach out to the PHS BS Program Director, Amanda Clifford as there will be an application to complete.
▼   Can this degree be offered fully online?
Yes, however, you have to find the classes that are offered online as some are only offered once a year in the online format.
▼   Does experience in the field substitute for any or some classes?
There is only one class, EMS 104- First Aid and CPR, that can be substituted with a current AHA or Red Cross CPR card. Otherwise, you will be required to take all classes.
▼   Are there any scholarships for Professional Health Sciences?
Not specifically for this degree, but you can look at JagSpot to see what opportunities might be out there.