Harper College

Emergency Medical Technician Certificate

Earn a career ready certificate 

Program application required (scroll down to apply)

Program factsLiberal Arts icon


  • Credit hours: 9
  • Stackable to degree: Yes
  • Potential job outcomes: 
    Emergency medical technician

Develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become an entry-level emergency medical technician with this 9-credit-hour certificate program. You’ll receive an overview of the Basic Life Support (BLS) process as defined by the National EMS Education Standards. Upon graduation, you’ll qualify to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Exam.

This program is located at Northwest Community Hospital. Courses in the program are taught by skilled instructors who are experts in the emergency medical services field.

Credit earned for this program can be applied to the Emergency Medical Services AAS Degree.

Certificate program requirements

The 9 credit-hour certificate program provides entry-level emergency medical care knowledge and skills with the delivery of Basic Life Support (BLS) as defined by the National EMS Education Standards. The program is presented in three modules. Each module concludes with a modular exam covering course content presented in that module. Specific enabling objectives are listed on the cover of each presentation’s handout.

Modular exams for EMS 111, 112 and 113 must be passed with a minimum of 80% and these scores along with the cumulative quiz scores comprise the course GPA. In addition, a final cumulative exam must be passed with an 80% minimum but is considered pass/fail and the score does not factor into the students GPA. Failure to reach 80% on any modular exam, or the final cumulative exam will result in course failure. Failure to score 75% on the first attempt of any exam will be considered a fail of the exam. Students scoring between 75%-79% will be offered a retake of the exam. Failure to score a minimum of 80% on the retake will be considered a fail of the exam.

A high school diploma or GED, 2.0 Harper GPA, and an age requirement of 18 is necessary. This program is offered only at Northwest Community Hospital.

Admission Requirements: Emergency Medical Technician is a limited enrollment program. For admission requirements (meeting the course prerequisite for EMS 111), please contact the Admissions Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu.

Required:

Hours Required:Students must complete EMS 111, 112 and 113 modular exams with a C or above and must also complete the final exam with a C or above to successfully earn the EMT certificate.

Number Course Title Credits
EMS 111 3

Description:  The entire Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program of Instruction is divided into three courses that must all be passed in sequence (EMS 111, 112, and 113) as well as hospital and field clinical experiences and a cumulative final written exam. EMS 111 is designed to introduce entry-level knowledge and skills required to become an EMT and provides the foundations of EMT practice upon which all other instruction is based. The module exam given at the conclusion of this course must be passed with a minimum score of 80% to progress to EMS 112. Content and objectives are mapped to the National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Education Standards.

Prerequisite: You must be at least 18 years old and provide a high school transcript or GED equivalency to register for this course. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is needed for enrolled/previously enrolled Harper students. Placement into ENG 096 or better is also required. english-placement-grid.php

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

EMS 112 3

Description:  The entire Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program of Instruction is divided into three courses that must all be passed in sequence (EMS 111, 112, and 113) as well as hospital and field clinical experiences and a cumulative final written exam. EMS 112 provides comprehensive coverage of acute and chronic respiratory disorders, acute and chronic cardiovascular disorders, cardiac arrest management, anaphylactic emergencies, stroke, seizure and altered mental status, shock, acute diabetic emergencies, abdominal, renal, genitourinary and gynecologic emergencies and environmental emergencies including diving and drowning emergencies. The module exam given at the conclusion of this course must be passed with a minimum score of 80% to progress to EMS 113.

Prerequisite: EMS 111 with a grade of C or better.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

EMS 113 3

Description:  The entire Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program of Instruction is divided into three courses that must all be passed in sequence (EMS 111, 112, and 113) as well as hospital and field clinical experiences and a cumulative final written exam. EMS 113 presents a wide scope of trauma emergencies, special patient populations, and those with physical challenges, multiple patient incidents and the incident management system, hazardous materials awareness, EMS response to terrorist incidents and ambulance operations. Content and objectives are mapped to the National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Education Standards.

Prerequisite: EMS 112 with a grade of C or better.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

This program has prerequisites.

Steps for Admission:

CLOSED Spring 2024  September 1, 2023 – January 9, 2024 (by 12pm) Fall 2024 opens April 1st

1. Review Program and Policy Information

  • Curriculum (see above)
  • Health requirements

2. Learn about prerequisites

3. Apply

Please note: Information provided on this page is subject to change.

Related programs

Students interested in emergency medical services may also be interested in:

Resources

Next steps

For more information about EMT training at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.

Please note: This program is not financial aid eligible.

Last Updated: 3/15/24