Austin Community College EMT Course: Your Path to Emergency Medical Services

Austin Community College (ACC) provides comprehensive Emergency Medical Services Professions (EMSP) training, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a fulfilling career in emergency medicine. ACC's EMT training is fast-paced and active, with students spending a lot of time outside, practicing their skills, and applying material learned in the classroom. Whether you aspire to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or a Paramedic, ACC offers a range of stackable credentials to help you achieve your goals.

Exploring Healthcare Careers at ACC

If you're interested in exploring healthcare careers, ACC hosts a Health Science Open House at the Eastview Campus. This free event provides valuable insights into the health training options available at the college.

ACC’s Emergency Medical Services Professions Program

The Emergency Medical Services Professions Program at Austin Community College is a special admissions program with limited availability. The EMSP program is open to all students over age 18 on the first day of the semester. Applications are accepted throughout the year on a first come, first served basis until all seats are filled. If the semester in which you are applying is full, you will be placed on an alternate list. Applicants accepted as alternates and not placed during the semester for which they applied will be moved to the top of the list for the next semester. Applicants must be enrolled in Austin Community College. Students preparing for the program should select “General Studies in Pre-Health Sciences” as their major on the application.

Accreditation and Program Offerings

The Emergency Medical Services Professions Program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312, Rowlett, TX 75088; 214-703-8445; Fax: 214-703-8992; www.coaemsp.org).

ACC offers stackable credentials, where certificates prepare you for a career change or career advancement. They often include credits that count toward associate degrees. Associate degrees further increase your employability and help you build a strong foundation for university transfer.

The ACC Emergency Medical Services Professions Program offers a one-semester EMT certification (Basic) along with three upper level awards:

Advanced EMT Level 1 Certificate
Paramedic Level 2 Certificate
Associate Degree in Applied Sciences in Emergency Medical Services

All courses in the Level 1 certificate apply toward the Level 2 certificate. All courses in the Level 2 certificate apply toward the Associate Degree Award.

To view the Advanced EMT Level 1 Certificate Plan, click here. Successful completion of the Level 1 Certificate leads to certification as an Advanced EMT. To view the Paramedic Level 2 Certificate Plan, click here. Successful completion of the Level 2 Certificate leads to certification as a Paramedic. To view the Emergency Medical Services Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree Plan, click here. Successful completion of the Associate Degree of Applied Science leads to licensure as a Paramedic.

Curriculum and Clinical Experience

All curricula combine classroom teaching with a supervised clinical, laboratory and ambulance experience. Student’s in ACC’s EMT training program get hands on and classroom instruction in Emergency Medical Services.

EMT classes prepare the student for certification as a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. EMT classes last one semester and are offered every Fall, Spring, and 11-week Summer semester. The following classes may be taken for college credit. twice a week. In the Summer semester, the class is held three times per week. There may be at least two other weekend dates required during the semester to cover state-mandated hours for skills or extrication practice.

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Mandatory clinicals are a defining part of EMT education. 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.

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/Paramedic programs at ACC. An EMT-Basic provides basic life support. This certification requires one semester of training at a local community college or accredited program.

Visit the EMT Basic Application Process page, or view the EMSP Program FAQ for more information.

Advanced EMT/Paramedic Programs

The program enrolls students to begin advanced training each semester. Classes are offered in the daytime only, twice a week. In the summer semester, the class is held three times per week and is only offered in the daytime.

Visit the EMT Advanced/Paramedic Application Process page, or view the EMSP Program FAQ for more information.

An Advanced EMT builds on the knowledge gained as an EMT-B. The scope of practice between Licensed Paramedic (LP) & Paramedic (EMT-P) are the same, however the schooling is different. The licensed paramedic has either a two-year EMS degree or a four-year degree in any field paired with a paramedic certification. The EMT-P has a paramedic certification. There is approximately one year of schooling in addition to the time required for the EMT-B certification to become a paramedic.

Course Requirements and Policies

Each unit exam in EMSP classes must be passed. Students have a total of two retests in each class that may be used in order to pass these exams. Certain skills exams in EMSP classes must be passed. Students may have up to two attempts to pass specific skills. Only one of these skills in each class may be retested a second time. The list of mandatory pass skills is provided for each course at the beginning of the semester.

Students must adhere to strict attendance rules. Students may not miss more than 10% of total classroom clock hours. In order to move into the subsequent semester, or to receive a course completion, a student must pass each EMSP course with a score of “B” or better. Students not achieving this score will be allowed to repeat the class to make the required grade of “B” or better. Students may only take a course twice. Students will be allowed an automatic readmission for the next offering of a course, if the student has not reached the maximum number of admissions.

Application Process and Prerequisites

Before you proceed with the application process, we encourage you to read the EMS Professions FAQ. You must be CPR certified through The American Heart Association for BLS Providers. across all campuses.

Review the mandatory online Information Session.

Additional Information

ATCEMS does not offer EMT-Basic or Advanced EMT training programs. However, you can view a list of accredited Paramedic programs at the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Education Programs.

General Health Sciences Information Sessions

These sessions are presented by Health Sciences Faculty Advisors and provide an overview of the health training options available at the college, the steps needed to apply and the expectations for success.

Bats to Cats Transfer Program

Start at ACC and transfer seamlessly to Texas State University!

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