EMT PROGRAM INFORMATION PACKET

The EMT-Basic Program takes one semester to complete. All deadlines (registration, financial aid, etc) are identical to those found in the COM Academic Calendar. Upon completion, students must take a national certification exam and apply for state certification to become eligible to work in the state of Texas.

Class Duration 2023-2024 Start Dates Days Time
Fall - Day Class** 16 weeks August 28 M/W/F* 8 a.m. - 5p.m.
Fall - Night Class 16 weeks August 28 T/Th/Sa* 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Spring - Day Class** 16 weeks January 16 M/W/F* 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Spring - Night Class 16 weeks January 16 T/Th/Sa* 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Summer - Day Class 10 weeks June 3 TBA  
Summer - Night Class 10 weeks June 3 TBA  
*Fridays and Saturdays as noted in course syllabus
**Accelerated course, 10 weeks

Application and Registration Procedures

  1. Apply to the College (click the "Learn More" button next to the term which best describes you--graduating HS, transfer student, etc.) if you are a new student or have not attended classes at COM for 1 year. For "Major" please choose Paramedic Certificate (this does not obligate you to the full program--that is just where EMT-B is found). Complete all College requirements (meningitis vaccine, etc.)
  2. The college will be communicating with you via your NEW COM email address--about a week after you have applied to the college, you should access your new email account. See instructions here.
  3. Completed, cleared background check. Download Program Info Packet (Page 4 has the instructions for the background check. There is no need to pay the extra fee for the "card" the service offers).
    • Once you submit the background check, you will appear on our "Incoming" roster. When your background check comes back clear, you will be contacted to find out which program you would like to enter.
    • Once the check is complete, you will receive a notice to your COM email to approve your registration form. Once approved, Admissions and Enrollment will enter your classes. You will have to register in person at the Enrollment Center/Administration Building.
    • There is no other formal "application" or additional steps--when Step 1 and Step 2 are completed, you are ready to be registered. HOWEVER, keep reading for requirements which will be due the first week of class.
  4. Gather your items to qualify for clinicals – see page 16 of the Program Info Packet you downloaded in Step 2. Save your documents (ideally, scan them to PDF format and store them where you can find them)--we will direct you what to do with them the first week of class. The packet provides complete information regarding physical exam, drug screen and immunization requirements. See additional information in the Program Info Packet. ****Failure to complete these requirements by the end of the first week of class will result in failure of the clinical class.****
  5. If you are a first-time college student, attend a New Student Orientation before registering.
  6. Obtain American Heart Association BLS CPR certification. This is required prior to attending clinicals; it is also required prior to certification testing by NREMT. The class is offered through COM—see the Continuing Education Schedule. It is also possible to find local fire departments, hospitals and companies that offer the required AHA CPR class (not Red Cross CPR).

Curriculum

The COM Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basic Program prepares competent entry-level EMT basics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains.

EMT-Basic didactic classes are approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services. They consist of 176 contact hours of training based on the NHTSA National EMS Scope of Practice and Education Standards, which includes classroom lectures and activities; hands-on, life-saving skills training; and scenario-based practice. The EMT-Basic Clinical class consists of 96 hours of hospital and field rotations.

The hands-on program prepares students to pass the National Registry EMT-Basic Certificate test.

Evening and daytime classes are available each semester. The curriculum is incorporated into the following courses:

  • EMSP 1501—Emergency Medical Technician—Basic
  • EMSP 1260—Emergency Medical Technician Clinical

Course Completion

Upon successful completion of required elements, students are authorized to test via the National Registry online system. Also, an initial application must be made to the Texas DSHS.

Current Costs

Item Cost
Tuition and Fees, In District $519
Tuition and Fees, Out of District $799
Clinical Fee (covers uniform) $180
Clinical Liability Insurance $18
Purchased Books and online platform (approx) $200
  •  

Uniforms

The uniform package listed above (covered in tuition/fees) includes two polo shirts, two cotton T-shirts and two pairs of EMT pants. In addition, students must provide the following:

  • Black belt
  • Black work shoes or boots

Financial Aid

In order to receive financial aid, students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the COM Financial Aid Application, regardless of the type of financial aid sought. Veterans should contact the Financial Aid Office directly for additional guidance in Veterans Affairs.

Another possible source of funding is the COM Foundation. It is a nonprofit organization that distributes a wide variety of need and non-need-based scholarships. Look under the category Public Service Careers for those scholarships designated specifically for EMS candidates. The deadline to apply is generally in late July.

Students may also qualify to receive grants from Texas Public Education Grant. (Note: The FAFSA application determines eligibility for these grants.) The College for All Texans website may give additional suggestions such as veteran’s and Texas Workforce (see subtitle B here) benefits. As always, contact the experts in the Financial Aid Office at 409-933-8274 for additional information.