Emergency Medical Services

Students enrolled in the Emergency Medical Technology Program may choose to earn a short certificate, long certificate or an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Technology. Upon successful completion of the first semester of the EMS Program (EMT level), the student is eligible to apply to take the National Registry Examination. Successful completion of the certification examination allows the student to apply for licensure to practice in the State of Alabama as an EMT.

Upon successful completion of the second semester of the EMS Program (AEMT level), the student is eligible to apply to take the National Registry Examination and apply for licensure to practice in the State of Alabama as an AEMT.

The Paramedic level is the third level of the EMS program and is three semesters in length. The three levels of EMS lead to a Short Certificate, Long Certificate or an Associate in Applied Science Degree. The Long Certificate option requires the student to successfully complete all paramedic and general education courses in the curriculum, with the exception of PSY 200, SPH 107, and the Humanities elective. To earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree, all paramedic and general education courses in the curriculum must be completed. Upon successful completion of the Paramedic program, the student is eligible to apply to take the National Registry examination for Paramedics. Successful completion of the certification examination allows the student to apply for licensure to practice in the State of Alabama as a Paramedic.

The Emergency Medical Services Programs are fully approved by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Emergency Medical Services Division. The Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for EMS Professionals (CoAEMSP).

Admission Requirements

*Note: The admission requirements for the EMS program are subject to change. Please contact Health Sciences Admissions for additional information or visit www.suscc.edu.

EMT Level requires:

1. Unconditional admission to the College.
2. Minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average (GPA) and enter College on clear academic status.
3. Minimum 2.0 GPA at Southern Union
4. Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.
5. Eligibility for ENG101, MTH 100 and meet the reading requirement of the College.
6. Age of 18 years or older within one (1) year of course completion.
7. Ability to meet and comply with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook and EMS Student Handbook.
8. Application for the Emergency Medical Technology Program.

AEMT Level requires:

1. Completion of 1-7 as listed for EMT level.
2. Current National Registry license for EMT.
3. Unencumbered Alabama licensure as an EMT
4. Application for the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Program.
5. Ability to meet and comply with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook.
   *Transfer students:  Students who completed EMT training from a non-accredited program and plan to transfer in as a licensed EMT must take EMS108, Directed Students in EMS I, as a co-requisite with EMS 156, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Clinical. Upon completion of EMS108 with a grade of 75 or higher, the student will be awarded 10 hours of academic credit.

Paramedic Level requires:

1. Completion of 1-8 listed above for EMT and AEMT level admission requirements.
2. Minimum 2.0 GPA on last semester credit hours of coursework completed at a regionally accredited college. 
3. A current Alabama license as an AEMT, or successfully completed AEMT from an accredited college by SACSCOC or one of the six regionally accrediting agencies. (Students who took EMT/AEMT from a non-accredited program should see *note below)
4. If seeking a long certificate, completion of BIO 111 – Survey of the Human Biology (previously EMS189) or BIO 201 Anatomy and Physiology I with a minimum grade of C.
5. ability to meet and comply with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook.
6. Application to the Paramedic Program.
7. *NOTE: Students transferring into the paramedic level who have graduated from a non-accredited AEMT program must take EMS 156, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Clinical, as a corequisite to EMS 244. Upon completion of EMS156 with a grade of 75 or higher, the student will be awarded 10 hours of academic credit. If a student has attended a non-accredited program for both EMT and AEMT, the student must take EMS 156 and EMS 108 as a co-requisite to EMS 244. Upon completion of EMS 108 and EMS 156 with a grade of 75 or higher, the student will be awarded 20 hours of academic credit.

Progression Requirements

1. A 2.0 cumulative GPA. 
2. Acceptance by ALL clinical agencies for clinical experience.
3. Updated health records by deadline. 
4. Minimum grade of “C” in all required courses as listed in curriculum. 
5. Fulfillment of all course prerequisites.
6. If seeking a long certificate, completion of ENG 101, MTH 100 or higher math, and BIO 202 (if BIO 201 elected) with a minimum grade of “C” prior to the final semester of the Paramedic level.
7. No more than a 12 month interruption in matriculation through the Paramedic level course sequence

Students who do not meet progression requirements will be administratively withdrawn from the program and must apply for readmission.

Readmission Requirements

Students who interrupt the specified progression through the program of study must apply for readmission to the program. Readmission requires: 

1. A 2.0 cumulative grade point average at Southern Union.
2. No more than one grade of “D” or “F” is earned in a course which has a clinical component (whether the course is the same course or two different courses). If a student withdraws from an EMS course, the withdrawal will be treated, for readmission purposes only, as a course failure (even if the withdrawal is before the official College “last day to withdraw with a ‘W’ date”).
3. Readmission will depend on classroom and clinical space availability and is not guaranteed.
4. Ability to meet and comply with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook.
5. Completed program readmission form, submitted by deadline.
6. No more than a 12 month interruption in matriculation through the Paramedic level course sequence.

Transfer Policy

Students desiring to transfer into the any level of the EMS program must meet minimum admission/progression standards for Southern Union’s program.

1. Must possess a grade of C or better in all required general education taken at another institution and possess a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA at time of transfer.
2. Previous Southern Union students must have a minimum 2.0 at SUSCC. 
3. Must be a student in good standing and eligible to return to the EMS program.
4. Provide a letter of eligibility from the Dean/Director of the previous program.
5. Complete at least 25% of the total program at the accepting institution.
6. Acceptance of transfer students into the EMS program is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available. Meeting minimal standards does not guarantee acceptance.
7. Students transferring into the paramedic level who have completed a non-accredited AEMT program and are pursuing the long certificate OR degree route, must take EMS 156, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Clinical, as a corequisite to EMS 244. Upon completion of EMS 156 with a grade of 75 or higher, the student will be awarded 9 hours of academic credit.
8. If a student has attended a non-credit program for both his/her EMT and AEMT, and are pursuing the long certificate OR degree route, the student must take EMS 156 and EMS 108 as a corequisite to EMS 244. Upon completion of EMS 108 and EMS 156 with a grade of 75 or higher, the student will be awarded 19 hours of academic credit