Emergency Medical Technician - EMT

Specialty Course Description

This training course focuses on care of life-threatening conditions, care of non-life-threatening situations, and other issues related to the care of the sick or injured. The EMT is responsible for providing or continuing the initial care and transporting the patient to the hospital in an ambulance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2020 annual mean wage in South Dakota was $21,620 - $35,570.

Admissions Process for Non-Degree Seeking Students

1. Submit a completed application for admissions – select “Program Prep”.
2. Immunization records verifying two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). (Required for on-campus students only)
3. Schedule to take the ACCUPLACER test. ACCUPLACER is a placement exam over math, English, and reading. There is a $15 testing fee. The ACCUPLACER test will be waived if you have an ACT sub-score of 18 or better in English, Math, and Reading, or an SAT sub-score of at least 440 in Writing and Math. The scores must be within the past five years.*

*This is only required for program prep students interested in taking a math or English course.

Note: If you are or have been convicted, pleaded guilty or no contest to, or received a suspended imposition of sentence for a felony or certain misdemeanors, you are advised that you may not be able to complete all course requirements for this course, you may be prevented from taking required certification/licensure examinations in your chosen field, and you may be prevented from gaining employment in your course field.

If you are not a resident in the state of South Dakota, please be aware that licensing requirements vary from state to state. It is your responsibility to determine if your EMT testing results and status are valid in your state of residence, or the state in which you plan to practice as an EMT.

Career Outlook

The career expectations in this field are good. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, the job outlook for EMTs & Paramedics, from 2020-30, is 11%. (Faster than average.) EMT training will prepare you for an advanced degree in Paramedic. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2021, the average wage in western South Dakota was $37,270.

Course Requirements

Specialty Course Documents

Master Syllabi

Steps for Credential

Licensure and Certification

Professional licensure and certification requirements often vary from state to state. WDTC will not initially enroll students in an academic program leading to professional licensure or certification unless the College has confirmed the program meets all educational requirements of the state where the student is located, per WDTC’s Student Location policy, or intends to work after graduation.

If WDTC has not determined whether the program curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure or certification in the state you are located in or intend to work in after graduation, please contact the Vice President for Teaching and Learning for assistance by emailing Tiffany.Howe@wdt.edu or calling 605.718.2905.

As of May 23, 2024:

1. The program curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following states: AK, AL, American Samoa, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, Guam, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, The Republic of the Marshall Islands, MD, ME, MI, The Federated States of Micronesia, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, The Republic of Palau, The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, The Virgin Islands, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
2. The program curriculum does not meet educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following states: 
3. WDTC has not determined whether the program curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following states: