Emergency Medical Technology / Get Started Today

Step 2: Complete Your Admissions Application

If you’re new to GateWay or the Maricopa Community Colleges, or if you need to reapply, click the button below and follow the instructions to complete your admissions application:

Become a Student

• New Students: Click "Join Now" to create an account.
• Returning Students: Click "Log In" and enter your MEID and password. If you do not
  remember your MEID or password, select “Forgot your Username?” and/or “Forgot your
  Password?” for assistance.

What to Enter on Your Application:

Need help?
Click below for detailed instructions:

How to Apply to GateWay Community College (Clock Hour Programs)  

Duo Two-Factor Authentication 

After completing your admission application, you will need to set up Duo two-factor authentication. Click on the link to set up your Duo two-factor authentication account.  

For further assistance, contact Enrollment Services at (602) 238-4350 or visit the Enrollment Services department at our Central City campus in person at 1245 E. Buckeye Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006

Step 3: Reading Requirement (need one of the following)

• EdReady Critical Reading and Thinking Score: 95 or above

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  OR 

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• High School GPA: between 3.0 and 4.0 - (must be an official U.S. High school transcript and completed within the last 10 years)
  • Unofficial high school transcripts can be emailed to [email protected], but they must list an unweighted GPA.
  • ACT Reading Score: 22 or higher - (scores are valid for 5 years from the assessment date)
• ACCUPLACER Next Gen Reading: 261 or higher
• Successful completion of CRE 101
• Associate’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
• Permission from EMT Program Director

For more details, visit Course Selection and Placement. To contact the Testing and Essential Skills Center, visit gatewaycc.edu/testing, email [email protected], or call (602) 286-8160.

Step 4: Request Enrollment

To request enrollment in this clock hour program, send an email from your Maricopa Student Email address to: [email protected].

Please be sure to include the following in your email:

• Program name, program location, and desired start date
• The funding source you intend to use to pay for your program (self-pay, FAFSA, VA benefits, etc.)

Enrollment is based on eligibility, completed documents, and space in the program.

Step 5: Payment Options / Funding

Payment Plans

Scholarship Opportunities

Veterans Services

Important Reminders: 

★ Regularly check your Maricopa student email and Student Center for updates on payment balances and deadlines. 

★ Your seat in the program is not secured until your funding is confirmed. Failure to meet payment deadlines may result in being dropped from the program.

When and where are classes held? 

• Days: Monday – Thursday (plus two scheduled Fridays)
• Class Time Options: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM or 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Location: GateWay Community College Deer Valley Campus

Why should I take my EMT classes at GateWay? 

GateWay Community College stands out for hands-on learning.

• Combined Classes: Practice skills right after lectures.
• Learn by Doing: Use real-world scenarios, not only textbooks.
• Exam Boot Camp: Final classes focus entirely on 1-on-1 practice.

Do I need previous medical experience? 

No. Our program is designed to teach you everything you need to know completely from the ground up.

Can I take this course online?

No, this is a 100% in-person program focused on hands-on patient care, live simulations and mandatory psychomotor skills evaluations.

Is it possible to visit the campus before classes start? 

Yes. We highly encourage prospective students to tour our facilities.  To set up an in-person campus visit to see our EMS classrooms and labs, email [email protected].

What will I learn?

Our curriculum follows the National EMS Education Standards and Arizona Department of Health Services requirements. You will receive expert instruction in:

• Life-Saving Interventions: CPR, airway management, bleeding control, splinting, and childbirth.
• Clinical Knowledge: Patient assessment, medical emergencies, and trauma care.
• Field Operations: Ambulance operations, team communication, and electronic patient care documentation (ePCR).
• Workforce Skills: Professionalism and leadership

Is this course mostly lecture-based?

No. We focus heavily on extensive hands-on training for the field, not just the exam. You will participate in medical simulations, skills labs, and electronic reporting (ePCR) practice. 

Will I work with real patients?

No. All Maricopa Community College EMT programs use simulation-based training, such as live assessments with classmates, instructors, and simulation technology,  instead of hospital or ambulance ride-alongs.  

Is financial aid available?

No, because this is a  short-term clock hour program, it does not qualify for federal financial aid (FAFSA). 

• Alternatives: Students utilize scholarships, workforce development funding, employer sponsorships, or institutional payment plans.

Funding options are shared at the mandatory GateWay Virtual Information Session. 

I want to become a firefighter. Should I take this program? 

Yes. An EMT certification is mandatory to become a firefighter in Arizona. 

What happens after I graduate?

You can take the National Registry (NREMT) cognitive exam and apply for your Arizona certification.  

Note the age requirements:

• Testing: Students aged 16 or 17 can take the NREMT exam immediately.
• Licensing: The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) requires you to be at least 18 years old to receive your state certification. 

Does GateWay find jobs for students?

No. GateWay does not place students into jobs. However, we support your independent search by hosting an annual EMS & Public Safety Career Fair and sharing job leads directly with alumni.

Can I miss class or make up an absence?

You cannot miss more than 10 hours of the 220 required state hours. This is an Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) "clock-hour" program with absolute rules. Missing over 10 hours disqualifies you from finishing the program even with perfect grades. Makeup time satisfies college rules, but the absence stays on your state record.

What if I start struggling in class?

The EMT program moves quickly, but support is available:

• Instructor Support: One-on-one assistance during labs.
• Extra Practice: Open skills practice and dedicated tutoring options.
• Exam Prep: A National Registry Skills Boot Camp before final testing.

English is my second language. Can I succeed in this program?

Yes, many bilingual students successfully graduate.

• What is required? You must read, write, and speak English at a strong conversational and technical level.
• Why it matters: You need these skills for fast-paced classroom practice, patient simulation reports, and national testing.

I have a disability or medical condition. Can I still become an EMT?

In many cases, yes. Accommodations are customized through GateWay's Disability Resources & Services (DRS) office.  You must still perform the essential physical and academic functions required by ADHS state licensing and National EMS Standards, with or without reasonable accommodations. Contact DRS before enrolling.

Can I enroll in the EMT program if I have a criminal record?

Yes, GWCC does not require a background check to take the class.

• Who decides certification? Outside agencies decide, not the school. Passing the class does not guarantee certification.
• What you must do: You must verify your own eligibility. Contact the NREMT at (855) 430-6211 or AZDHS at (602) 364-3150.

Program Tuition & Fees *

* Please note that these are only estimates and may change. Additional fees may apply. 

**Two registration fees will apply if the program extends into the next term.

Additional Estimated Expenses *

* Please note that these are only estimates and may change. Additional fees may apply.