The University of South Alabama in Mobile is one of the largest schools in Alabama offering entry-level training for EMTs and continuing with EMS school courses through Paramedic licensing and certification.
Hosting one the largest EMS programs in the state of AL, the University of South Alabama has EMT and Paramedic Certificate Programs, a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Medical Services, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Health Sciences. The EMT and Advanced EMT certificate programs are accredited by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of EMS and Trauma. The Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions provides accreditation for the University’s Department’s Paramedic program.
As a student, you will receive an excellent education at U of SA. The school has over 40 years of professional experience educating EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic students. EMT and paramedic courses include: didactic, laboratory, and clinical studies in every area of emergency medical care and prehospital medicine. Additional EMT paramedic courses include, (but are not limited to), Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Prehospital Trauma Patient Management, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Airway Management, and Advanced Medical Patient Management. Advanced reasoning and critical thinking is incorporated into every aspect of our educational programs.
Admission
The criteria for general admission of EMT and/or paramedic students to the University of South Alabama consist of the same as those for all U of South AL students. Check with the University’s Admission’s office for more information about admission policies and procedures.
All students admitted into the Department’s EMS Certificate Program must be advised by the EMS Coordinator prior to registration. You may contact the Department at the phone number listed below to set up an appointment for advising. You will also find an Advising Packet available.
Program Information
Certifications and degrees offered: EMT Basic, Advanced EMT, Paramedic, Bachelor of Science in EMS, Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Health Sciences. Program application pre-requisites require a student:
- to have a high school diploma or the equivalent
- must be 18 years of age
- pass a physical examination
- must pass a background check
- must have current immunization records & screened for tuberculosis
- must pass drug screening - and stay drug free
***Applicants must also procure a healthcare provider CPR Certification through the American heart Association.
EMT Certificate Program courses:
EMS 112: EMT Emergency Care – 6
EMS 113: EMT Skills Lab – 1
EMS 115: EMT Clinicals –1
Total Credits – 8
Advanced EMT Certificate Program courses:
Pre-requisites include:
Current Alabama state Emergency Medical Technician licensure.
EMS 210 – Medical Terminology (3 hrs)
EMS 200 – Human Systems & Pathophysiology (3 hrs, pre-or-co-requisite) OR BMD 114/115 or equivalents.
EMS 140: Advanced EMT – 6
EMS 141: Advanced EMT Lab – 1
EMS 143: Advanced EMT Clinical – 2
Total Credits – 9
Paramedic Certificate Program
Paramedic Pre-requisites: Current Alabama state Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) licensure; pass the HOBET Requirements. HOBET V is a multiple-choice assessment of basic academic knowledge in reading, mathematics, science and English and language usage. U of South Alabama’s EMS Department requires all students who plan to enroll in paramedic classes to pass the HOBET V exam; overall scores must be 60 or above. The paramedic school program consist of 3 semesters.
P-1: 1st Semester courses: EMS 212 Foundations of Paramedicine; EMS 214 Paramedic EKG; EMS 216 Paramedic Assessment & OPS; EMS 217 Paramedic Clinical Internship I - for 12 total credits.
P-2: 2nd Semester courses: EMS 240 Special Populations; EMS 242 Paramedic Emergency Care I; EMS 244 Paramedic Emergency Care II; EMS 245 Paramedic Skills Labs; EMS 247 Paramedic; Clinical Internship II - for 12 total credits.
P-3: 3rd Semester courses: EMS 295 Paramedic Skills Labs; EMS 297 Comprehensive Review & Exam - for 7 total credits.
Additional Information
To advance throughout the EMT paramedic program, a minimum final grade of 80% must be reached in each course. Students will be allowed to repeat a course, but only one time.
The State of Alabama mandates the National Registry of EMT exam at both the EMT, Advanced EMT and Paramedic levels of practice. Only those students who have met all academic requirements of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Registry examination. All other criteria for progression and completion will be listed in each course syllabus and will be mandatory.
Attendance is mandatory. Those students who have conflicts regarding attendance to classes or clinical internships will be asked to transfer to programs more suited to their schedules.
Contact Information
Department of Emergency Medical Services / University of South Alabama
600 Clinic Drive / EOB Suite 400, Mobile, AL 36688
Phone: (251) 461-1832 (251) 461-1832
University: 307 N. University Blvd. Mobile, AL 36688
Phone: (251) 460-6101
The University of South Alabama proudly states, “Our Paramedic graduates are highly sought and actively recruited by employers because they possess in-depth knowledge and fine-tuned clinical skills. Public and private EMS providers and fire and rescue services from across the country often call to inquire about our highly-skilled and multi-competent graduates.”