Paramedic Program Prequisites

• Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.7
• All academic prerequisite courses require a minimum "C" grade
• Prerequisite courses may NOT be completed concurrently with the paramedic program

• Applicants must successfully complete the departmental EMT assessment/entrance exam with a minimum of 75% on no more than two attempts.
• Passing scores are good for two years unless an AHA/BLS change occurred such as in October 2020.
• In the event an applicant has been denied entrance due to two unsuccessful attempts of the entrance exam, the applicant must wait a period of 12 full months from the latest attempt to test again.
• The entrance exam may be taken online, but must be proctored. Please contact Ana McMurry @ anamcmurry@weber.edu or (801)626-6521 to schedule.
• This is a departmental assessment exam that performs three functions:
  1. It verifies your retention of core EMT knowledge which is NOT retaught in paramedic.
  2. It is a reliable predictor of success in the Weber State paramedic program.
  3. It is a reliable predictor of success on the National Registry computer adaptive test.

Please note:

• The entrance exam is based on the 2021 National EMS Education Standards, not on any particular state or local protocols.
• The entrance exam is application and scenario based, NOT the recall of facts.
• Applicants will get 100 randomized questions proportionate to the national EMT curriculum.
• Prior to testing, applicants should review the content (specifically, know the objectives) of any current EMT Textbook and AHA 2020 BLS standards for the greatest chance of success.
  • EMT review texts are available from online booksellers.
  • The topics of BLS and Medical Emergencies are traditionally the most problematic.
• Practice EMT tests are available online at the candidate's expense.
• The entrance exam must be completed by the published deadline for the semester for which you are applying.
  • Applicants who are completing their EMT course outside of WSU the semester prior to their anticipated start in the paramedic program will have one week post-class to complete the assessment exam. All other application requirements should be submitted by the deadline.

• The English course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
• Candidates may CLEP test to achieve transcript credit of English in lieu of taking the course.
• ACT test scores may also achieve transcript credit in lieu of taking the course.
• WSU offers AccuPlacer Testing to determine the best English and Math course levels for your abilities. Math and English placement scores for ACT, along with AccuPlacer can be found on the Assessment & Placement Standards page (PDF file). https://www.weber.edu/TestingCenter/accuplacer.html

• The math course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
• Candidates may test to achieve transcript credit for Math in lieu of taking the course.
• ACT or AccuPlacer exam must place student in MATH 1010 or higher; otherwise, MATH 0990 or equivalent is required.
• For more information on MATH 0990 and 1010 click on: https://www.weber.edu/developmentalmath/advising.html

• A grade of "C" or better is required in:
• HTHS 1110/1111 at WSU or ZOOL 2320/2340
• BIOL 2320/25 and BIOL 2420/25 at SLCC, UVU, and USU or
• Other equivalent 8 credit A&P courses (lecture/lab) as documented on a transcript.
• If the A&P is acceptable for an accredited nursing program, it's most likely acceptable for the WSU paramedic program.
• HTHS 1115 from WSU, BIOL 1110 from SLCC, ZOOL 1090 from UVU, and/or HEDU 3850 from the U of U are not accepted equivalents of HTHS 1110 and 1111.
• Candidates may test out to achieve transcript credit for anatomy and physiology by calling 801-626-6505.
• The Health Sciences Department recommends the completion of HTHS 1101 (Medical Terminology) prior to attempting Anatomy & Physiology.

• A grade of "C" or better required.
• HTHS 1101 is suggested if taken at WSU.
• Other 2-credit courses as documented on a transcript are acceptable.
• Candidates may test out to achieve transcript credit for medical terminology by calling 801-626-6505.

• All applicants must have a state certification or licensure in EMT to participate in the paramedic program.
• Applicants with NREMT certification only, MUST obtain state certification or licensure prior to starting the paramedic program.
• A copy of EMT and CPR cards must be submitted with the application.
• Applicants wishing to certify in Utah may need to obtain reciprocity from Utah Bureau of EMS.
  • https://bemsp.utah.gov/
• Students must keep their EMT or AEMT certifications current during the paramedic program.

• The Utah Bureau of EMS does not require EMT experience to enter a paramedic program.
• Advanced EMT (Intermediate) is not required to advance to paramedic.
• One year of EMS experience or completion of PAR 1005/1006 is strongly encouraged for non-EMS agency students.
• *Please note the PAR 1005 and 1006 have the following prerequisites:
  • PAR 1005 needs Med Term and 4 credits of A&P.
  • PAR 1006 needs English and Math completed.

The published GPA requirement is 2.7

• Students meeting this requirement receive priority selection.
• In some years "contractual" admissions may be available for GPA's of 2.5 - 2.69 but only if space permits such consideration.

Students must be able to listen and communicate appropriately in English to other students, faculty, patients, and medical personnel. Students for whom English is not their native language will be required to demonstrate English fluency prior to admission in the the WSU paramedic program one of two ways:

• Achieve a 7.5 minimum "band scores" on the IELTS exam or
• Achieve a minimum score of 94 out of 120 on the TOEFL exam with no scores less than a 24 in writing, 26 in speaking, 22 in listening and a 22 in reading.

"Contracts of admission" may be issued on a case-by-case basis if an applicant's entrance exam score is below 75%, but not below 71%, or if an applicant's GPA is below a 2.7, but not below a 2.5. Under no circumstances will a candidate be considered with an entrance exam score AND a GPA that does not meet the minimum requirements.

To assist in maintaining adequate ALS EMS coverage for our service area, up to 10 of the 25 spots for each cohort are reserved to meet the needs of the area Fire/EMS agency's sponsored students.  All sponsored students are still required to meet all minimum requirements to be accepted into the program. Any sponsored student not meeting the minimum requirements, may be considered on a case-by-case basis, but only after all qualified students have acknowledged their spot.

In the event of more qualified applicants than available openings for any given cohort, the following criteria will be used in the ranking of all applicants:

1. Entrance exam score (EMT final score for applicants completing EMT-B within the past year).
2. College GPA.
3. Completion of an associates or bachelors degree from an accredited institution or all of the AAS in Paramedic Studies support courses:
   MATH 1010, ENGL 1010, HTHS 2230, PSYC 1010, SOC 1020 and HLTH 3400.
4. Years of previous EMS experience.
5. Average GPA achieved in Anatomy and Physiology.

The Utah Bureau of EMS, along with clinical and field internship agencies, now require EMS students to complete Background Criminal Investigation (BCI) fingerprinting and drug screening. While a misdemeanor or felony may not prohibit a student from attending class . . . "clinical and/or field participation or the awarding of certification by the Utah Bureau of EMS / National Registry of EMT's may be compromised." Students with questions on this topic must personally contact the Utah Bureau of EMS or the National Registry of EMT's prior to program application. Immunization records, BCI and Drug Screening will be facilitated with the use of Castlebranch.com.

WSU's Paramedic Program is dedicated to providing an outstanding education to all students and will diligently work with campus Disability Services in providing that education. However, prospective students should recognize that testing for certification and licensure is done by the National Registry of EMT's, not by WSU. Should a student have any concerns about disability testing accommodations it is the student's responsibility to contact the National Registry of EMT's. Information can be found at the NREMT.org website.