Q. What is a First Responder?
A. A first Responder is an entry level practitioner in Emergency Medical Services.  These individuals are the first to arrive on a scene and provide the initial assessment for the advance practitioner in EMS.

Q. When does the program start and what is the application deadline for the program?
A. The First Responder program is offered every semester at the Medical and Homestead Campuses.  These courses are offered at the Medical Campus on a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday combination during the evening hours. At the Homestead Campus, these courses are offered on a Monday/Wednesday combination during the evening hours. There is no application deadline as these classes are offered on a first come, first serve basis.

Q. What are the application requirements?
A.  To be eligible for the First Responder program you must be a current student at Miami Dade College and have successful tested out of the first level of college prep through the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) or successfully completed the first level of college prep coursework or higher to be eligible for these classes.

Q. What are the admissions/selection criteria?
A.  To be eligible for the First Responder program you must be a current student at Miami Dade College and have successful tested out of the first level of college prep through the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) or successfully completed the first level of college prep coursework or higher to be eligible for these classes.

Q. Can I apply if I have not completed all of the general education and science courses?
A. There are no general education requirements that must be completed in advance to register for the First Responder program.

Q. What kind of degree will I be awarded when I graduate?
A. The First Responder program is a certificate program.  Upon successful complete of the First Responder program, the student earns two (2) college credits.

Q. What are the hours of the program?
A. The program is offered at the Medical Campus on a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday combination for seven weeks between the hours of 5:00pm until 9:00pm.  On the Homestead Campus, these courses are offered as a Monday/Wednesday combinations between the hours of 6:00pm until 10:00pm.

Q. Can I work while I am a student in the program?
A.  If students must work for financial support, the program strongly recommends a limit of 20 hours of employment per week while enrolled in the First Responder courses.

Q. Do you assist with job placement after graduation?
A. The Medical Campus does not provide job placement.  Through the Career Center located in the New Student Center on the Medical Campus, graduates may review employment opportunities that have been forwarded to the Career Center.

Q. Do I need to take a test to work in this profession after graduation?
A.  The State of Florida does not require the completion of a credentialing examination to work as a First Responder.