- How do I register?
- What are the requirements to take an EMS class?
- Does my CPR qualify?
- What vaccinations do I need?
- Do I need to go to an Information Session?
- How much will it cost?
- I have a criminal record. Will that keep me from becoming certified?
- When do classes meet?
- Which classes do I sign up for?
- Do I get the same certification if I go through continuing education as I get from taking the course as college credit ?
- I will turn 18 years old during class. Can I still sign up?
- I want to be a firefighter and I was told I need to take the EMT-Basic class first. What class is the correct one?
- How often are classes offered? Will you be offering a class during XX semester?
- I want to become a Paramedic. Do I need to take the EMT-Basic class?
- What can I do with an EMT-Basic certification?
- Are there extra items I need to buy?
- I was dropped from the course because I missed a payment deadline, and now it's full. Can you re-register me?
- Can the class be overloaded?
Advanced Training
- Do I have to wait until I have completed the prerequisite courses (EMT-Basic, Anatomy/Physiology) before I apply for admission into the advanced training program?
- Can you make an exception and overload the EMT-Basic class so I can complete my prerequisites?
- Who do I contact about applying to the advanced training?
To register, you must first be an ACC student. Contact ACC's Admissions and Records division to enroll as a student. Once you have done that, then consult the course schedule guide to find the class you want to take. You must participate in an online information session to receive an application for the EMT-Basic classes. Once your application has been approved through the Dean's Office, you will be informed to begin your criminal background check. When your criminal background check is completed you will be notified to register for class. During your registration period, sign up for the class either on the web or via telephone at 512.454.3774 or toll free at 888.891.2444. Don't forget to pay your tuition by the payment deadline or the college will drop you from the course.
What are the requirements to take an EMS class?
- All students must be at least 18 years old before the first day of class. No exceptions can be made to this rule.
- All students must meet certain immunization requirements.
- All students must meet certain CPR requirements.
- All students must pass a criminal background check. Details on this requirement may be found by following the link on the ACC Health Sciences Division page at http://www.austincc.edu/health.
- For training beyond the EMT-Basic level, students must be currently certified as a Texas EMT-Basic, or have proof of current enrollment in an EMT-Basic class, or be eligible for National Registry Testing.
Additionally, beginning for the Fall 2011 seating, all applicants must be TSI complete or exempt and must provide proof of the following:
- A math assessment score: Compass 39; TASP/THEA 230, Accuplacer 63, Asset 38, SAT Math 500 or ACT Math 19 or higher; OR completed a college- level math course with a C or above AND
- A reading assessment score: Compass 81, TASP/THEA 230, Accuplacer 78, Asset 41, SAT Critical Reading 500, ACT English 19; OR completed English Comp I with a C or above AND
- A writing assessment score: Compass 6 or 5/59, TASP/THEA writing 220, Accuplacer 6 or 5/80, Asset 6 or
5/40, SAT Critical Reading 500, ACT English 19 OR completed English Comp I with a C or above.
Students may take the Compass for placement in reading, writing and math to meet these requirements if waived or exempt from testing upon admission to the college and do not meet one of the above criteria.
It is the student's responsibility to determine accreditation of colleges if using coursework for proof of competency. See an advisor at any campus.
Does my CPR qualify?
Consult the CPR requirements page for answers to CPR certification questions.
What vaccinations do I need?
Consult the immunization requirements page for answers to immunization requirement questions.
Do I need to go to an Information Session meeting?
EMT-Basic students are required to participate in an online information session in order to enroll in an EMT-Basic class.
How much will it cost?
Costs vary depending on how you enroll and your residency status. Consult the appropriate guide (college credit catalog) to calculate your tuition. You will take the EMT-Basic class as a 5 hour lecture/lab class and a 1 hour clinical class. Please note that there are insurance fees associated with these courses in addition to the tuition and building service fees listed. You may also contact the college's Admissions and Records department for assistance in calculating tuition. The EMS department is unable to provide students with any information on costs.
Additionally, a detailed cost report is available here: Program Costs
I have a criminal record. Will that keep me from becoming certified?
All health sciences students (including EMT-Basic) that attend clinicals must pass a criminal background check prior to going to any clinical site. The requirements on this check may be viewed by following the link on the Health Sciences Division page. You may contact the Health Sciences Compliance Coordinator, Lisa Enloe at lenloe@austincc.edu if you have specific questions that are not answered on the website.
When applying for certification as an EMT-Basic, you must discuss your criminal record with the state certifying agency (Texas Department of State Health Services EMS Division) in order to have your individual record evaluated. Convictions do not necessarily prevent certification; however, failure to disclose a criminal record may result in revocation of your certification, if issued.
When do classes meet?
In the Fall and Spring semester classes usually meet twice each week for 4.5 hours at a time. Classes are currently held on Monday and Wednesday evenings (5:30-10 p.m.) at the Eastview (EVC) campus and Tuesday and Thursday evenings (5:30-10 p.m.) at the Cypress Creek (CYP) campus.
In the Summer semester, classes meet three times each week over the 11 week session for 4.5 hours at a time. The classes are currently held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at both the Eastview (EVC) campus and the Cypress Creek (CYP) campus.
Required clinicals are attended outside of class time. Clinical orientation is scheduled one of the first two Saturdays of the semester, and attendance is mandatory. Clinical schedules are chosen by the student from available dates/times provided on FISDAP® the computerized software used for all ACC-EMSP clinical scheduling.
There may be at least two other weekend dates required during the semester to cover state mandated hours for skills or extrication practice. These dates would be considered class dates and are mandatory. The dates will be provided by the lead instructor on the first day of class.
Which classes do I sign up for?
Enroll in EMSP 1501 and EMSP 1160. You must sign up for both classes.
Registration for the EMT-Basic program requires prior departmental approval. Please visit the EMT-Basic online information session pages in order to get an application for admission into the EMT-Basic program.
I will turn 18 years old during class. Can I still sign up?
No, you must be 18 years old in order to enroll in the class. This is a requirement of our clinical sites and is not flexible.
I want to be a firefighter and I was told I need to take the EMT-Basic class first. What class is the correct one?
Enroll in EMSP 1501 and EMSP 1160. You must sign up for both classes.
Registration for the EMT-Basic program requires prior departmental approval. Please visit the EMT-Basic online information session pages in order to get an application for admission into the EMT-Basic program.
How often are classes offered? Will you be offering a class during ______ semester?
The EMT-Basic program is one semester in length and is offered every Fall, Spring, and 11-week Summer semester.
I want to become a Paramedic. Do I need to take an EMT-Basic class?
In order to be accepted into our advanced training program, you must hold a current Texas EMT-Basic certification, show proof of current enrollment in an EMT Basic class, or be eligible to take the national registry exam. back to top
What can I do with an EMT-Basic certification?
Certification as an EMT-Basic is the entry level for a career in EMS and is a required certification for admission into the advanced (EMT-Intermediate/Paramedic) training program at ACC. EMS certification is also a requirement for anyone seeking a commission as a firefighter in Texas.
In the local area, EMTs with paid and volunteer first responder organizations provide medical care at emergencies while awaiting an ambulance. EMTs may also be hired by hospital emergency rooms in supportive patient care roles. There are also several non-emergency and a few emergency ambulance services in the area that hire EMT-Basics. Local pharmaceutical research companies hire EMT-Basics to assist in research. Starting pay varies from $7 to $15 per hour, depending on the employer.
Are there extra items I need to buy?
There are a few things that students will need to purchase beyond books. Students must have a uniform, and other equipment. These equipment needs are explained in class, usually during the first meeting. Equipment costs are approximately $50 - $75.
I was dropped from the course because I missed a payment deadline, and now it's full. Can you re-register me?
No. Students forfeit their opportunity for a seat as the slot is given to the next person on the list.
Can the class be overloaded?
No. Classes cannot be overloaded because we have a limited amount of time/space available in our clinical sites. Class sizes are set based on clinical availability, so if we overloaded a class, there would not be enough clinical times available for every student. Since all clinicals are required to complete state certification regulations, students wouldn't be able to become certified.
Do I have to wait until I have completed the prerequisite courses, EMT-Basic, before I apply for admission into the advanced training program?
No. Once you have attended the Information Session, you may begin the application process. You will not be granted admission into the program until currently certified as a Texas EMT-Basic, or have proof of current enrollment in an EMT-Basic class, or be eligible for National Registry Testing.
Can you make an exception and overload the EMT-Basic class so I can complete my prerequisites?
No. Classes cannot be overloaded because we have a limited amount of time/space available in our clinical sites. Class sizes are set based on clinical availability, so if we overloaded a class, there would not be enough clinical times available for every student. Since all clinicals are required to complete state certification regulations, students wouldn't be able to become certified if we overloaded the class.
Who do I contact about applying to the advanced training?
Use the contact information below with questions about applying to the advanced training:
Health Sciences Information and Admissions Office
Eastview Campus
Building 8000, Room 8356
3401 Webberville Road
Austin, TX 78702
Phone: 512.223.5700 or toll-free 888.626.1697
E-mail: healthsciences@austincc.edu
Web: http://www.austincc.edu/health
Assistant Department Chair Pauline VanMeurs is an alternate contact.
Applications to the advanced training are at the end of the Intermediate - Paramedic online information session
You must meet certain immunization and CPR requirements as well as pass a criminal background check.