Admission Requirements
Students are strongly encouraged to schedule an advising appointment at least two weeks prior to the start of class. Contact Kristen McKenna to schedule an advising appointment.
Thank you for your interest in the University of South Alabama’s Emergency Medical
Services certificate and degree programs. The vast majority of our courses are offered
each semester and we have no waiting list. Our Paramedic Certificate program is designed
to be completed in five (5) semesters. The first semester is EMT Basic, the second
is Advanced EMT, and the following three are Paramedic courses. We look forward to
having you join our program.
If you are interested in bachelor's courses, or are an existing Paramedic interested
in pursuing a bachelor's in EMS please contact Kristen McKenna.
First Step - Admission to USA
Your first step as a prospective student is to complete an application for admission
to the University of South Alabama. After that, you will need to request all transcripts
from high school or other colleges be sent to USA by following the directions as outlined
by the Admissions Department. You may apply online for a fee of $35.00 by visiting
USA’s Admissions Office.
Required Documentation for Admission
Once you have been accepted as a student, you will need to fill out, complete and
return the required documentation as listed below. The New Student Packet includes
this checklist of entry requirements. This documentation must be received before an
advising appointment is scheduled. Once all documentation requirements are met, each
student must then complete a Drug and Background check, which is a Federal requirement.
Following the completion of all entry requirements, the student will be scheduled
for advising and will be enrolled into classes.
To turn in the required documentation for advising and entry into the program, please
email paperwork to Marla Snell. You may also fax the items to (251) 461-1823. As soon as you have turned in all
required documents an advising appointment will be scheduled for you. If you have
other questions not addressed in this packet you may call our office at (251) 461-1832.
- Hepatitis B series: All students are required to have a positive Hep B titer before entry or after completing the three-shot series. Student must have started the first of three shots. The second shot is required 30 days after the first, and the third is due 6 months afterwards. Students must turn in immunization updates as they are received. If your titer is negative, you must begin the Hep B series again.
- Varicella Zoster: Varicella Zoster is the immunization for Chicken Pox. You must show proof of the Varicella Zoster vaccine or a positive titer. Varicella Zoster titers are accepted regardless of the date.
- MMR: MMR record is required. MMR is usually a childhood immunization. If you do not have your childhood record of MMR you must have a titer drawn. If your titer is negative you must get an MMR booster.
- Polio: Polio record is required. Polio is usually a childhood immunization.
- Meningitis: Meningitis shot that is less than 5 years old.
- Tetanus, TDAP or DPT: Must have a Tetanus shot that is less than 10 years old.
- Current FLU/H1N1: Must have a FLU shot that is less than 1 year old. Flu shots are required yearly while in our program. Keep in mind that FLU shots are only available during certain months. If your FLU shot will expire and you will be taking courses in semesters which are not during FLU season you must get the FLU shot while available in order to take courses for the remainder of the year. If you are a new incoming student to our department without a current FLU shot and it is not FLU season, please notify the EMS Student Records Secretary. The Student Health Department on campus, as well as Mobile Walgreen’s locations, is working with our department to keep FLU shots for our students year round.
- Negative TWO-STEP TB skin test: Two-step TB Skin test is administered then read 48-72 hours later. You must then have another reading 7 days later. If you know you are prone to false positive TB tests, please bring documentation of a clear Chest XRAY. Two-step TB skin test are required yearly in our program.
- Go to CastleBranch.
- Enter program code NV61.
- Complete and submit background portion of screening.
- Within 24-48 hours you will receive an email from CastleBranch authorizing you to go for your drug screening. Print the letter attached to the email and take it to the lab listed for testing.
- All results are automatically forwarded to our department.
- The cost for the drug screening, background screening, insurance verification, and medical record documentation is currently an initial fee of $105.00. Additional fees may be required based on residency history.
Additional Requirements and Expenses
- Textbooks are available for purchase at the bookstore located on campus.
- Uniform shirt will be ordered by the department at the beginning of the semester. The cost and additional information will be discussed on the first day of class. All students will wear our department's clinical uniform on their scheduled lab days and while representing our department during clinical internship hours. The uniform consists of our department shirt, black or navy pants, black socks, and black non-skid shoes.
- National Registry Exam Fee $70.00
At the completion of each semester our students who have successfully passed the courses at their level will schedule and take the National Registry Exam. Upon passing the exam students can apply for their state license at the level of completion. National Registry Exams are taken after the Basic EMT, Advanced EMT and Paramedic semesters.
Further questions will be answered in your New/Transfer Student Orientation session
OR advising appointment. Students who are required to register for an Orientation Session
by the university DO NOT need to schedule an additional advising as you will meet with advisors at your orientation.
Important Links
- You can review specific course listings, credit hour requirements, and more information
about our programs by choosing the appropriate program link below.
- To review the University of South Alabama’s admission requirements, registrar’s office information (for transcripts, etc.), financial aid information and much more, go to Student Information.
- To review the University's tuition and fees, go to USA Tuition and Fees Schedule.
- To visit the USA Bookstore, go to USA Bookstore.
- To view textbooks for EMS courses (located under “Health Sciences Books”) and specific
course textbooks, go to Course Books Search.