Extended Learning Continuing Education

Non-Credit Programs

Continuing Education (CE) offers a variety of professional development, licensure courses, and non-credit programs designed to respond to the diverse educational interests and lifelong learning needs of individuals of all ages. These courses and programs offer opportunities for acquiring and updating knowledge and skills for purposes of professional advancement and personal enrichment. The unit expands the university’s ability to establish community-based partnerships, pilot innovations, and position itself on the cutting edge of current issues.

In addition to scheduled courses and programs, Continuing Education offers customized in-house training and consultation for business and nonprofit organizations throughout the state. Please consult the Barry Website for more information at www.barry.edu/ce.

CE offers a vast catalog of options, whether one’s interest is in continued education required to maintain current status in a particular occupation, learning new skills for a new position or filling leisure time in meaningful ways. Our courses and programs emphasize quality, practicality, accessibility, affordability, timeliness, relevance, and service. All offerings contribute to the self-fulfillment and intellectual stimulation that are the rewards of lifelong learning pursuits.

Some programs carry continuing education units (CEUs). The CEU is a nationally recognized method for measuring and recording participation in continuing education programs. Although CEUs do not carry credit toward a degree and cannot be automatically converted to degree status, they meet established administrative criteria. The CEU is defined as “ten contact hours of participation in all organized continuing education experiences under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.” Programs of less than ten contact hours in length can carry a percentage of a CEU. Individuals enrolled in a degree program, which has a portfolio option, or requirement at Barry University may include records of CE professional development in their portfolio of learning from work experience. For policies regarding the portfolio option and transfer credit for certificate programs, please refer to the PACE Student Bulletin.

Policies Regarding Certificate and Non-Credit Programs*

The language of instruction for non-credit courses is English. All Professional & Continuing Education students are expected to show adequate English language proficiency, unless otherwise indicated on the course description or class schedule, and have an approved high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
To receive Continuing Education Unit(s) (CEU’s), students must be present for the entire course or program. The Director will review requests for CEU’s on a case-by-case basis and may require an administrative fee for processing. Please note that not all programs offer CEU’s.
Students that satisfactorily complete noncredit classes are eligible for a Certificate of Completion. Students are required to attend all class sessions and be present for their entirety. Late arrivals and early departures will be noted and on the attendance record.
The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic programs carry a grade for all course work completed and are recorded on a Barry University transcript.
Students are expected to follow University rules, regulations, and guidelines.
Student Financial Responsibility. Registration constitutes a financial agreement between you and the University. Tuition, fees and other charges you incur, including, but not limited to, housing, meal plans and bookstore charges (“Charges”) shall be added to your student account. Charges shall be the responsibility of the student and shall be paid within the term in which the Charges incurred. Students assume responsibility for all costs incurred as a result of enrollment at Barry University. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of their account balance and financial aid information and maintain current valid postal address information at all times to ensure receipt of all University correspondence in a timely manner. Barry University recognizes the university e-mail system as the primary communication between the student and the University. Students are expected to check their e-mail on a frequent and consistent basis in order to stay current with University-related communications. You agree to reimburse to the University the fees of any collection agency, which may be based on a percentage at a minimum of 33⅓ percent of the debt, and all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees that the university incurs in such collection efforts. The University reserves the right to cancel registration of any student if a balance due from a previous term remains unpaid at the start of a subsequent term.
Conditions for Non-Reversible Fee: A non-reversible $250.00 fee shall be charged to student accounts if a balance remains after the last payment due date of the class. Each student must be aware of all payment due dates for each term they are registered.

Course Drop or Withdrawal: Withdrawal from a course, with refund of tuition, is permitted up to seven (7) days prior to the course start date. Refunds may not be processed until a written request is received. After that date, there is no refund of tuition, and the full tuition is the financial responsibility of the student. If we are asked to bill a company and the registrant does not attend, the company will be billed unless the registration is cancelled in advance. Barry University reserves the right to cancel any class because of insufficient registration
Student Certification Eligibility Responsibility. Each certifying body has a unique set of requirements, fees, and guidelines. Students have the responsibility for checking their eligibility to pursue association, state,, national or regional certifications.
Non-Credit programs have open enrollment and registration is continuous throughout the year and is contingent on the number of applicants. Start dates may shift due to enrollment levels needed to start a course or program.
Contact or Clock hours reflect instructional time only and does not include breaks.
Registration fees, Physical Agility Test (PAT) fees, background check fees, books, manuals, Firefighter bunker gear (must meet NFPA 1851 and 1971 standards), supplies/equipment and other ancillary fees are not included. These fees and materials are the responsibility of the student.

*In addition to the above policies, Veteran Affairs (VA) students need to abide by the following:

Veteran Affairs (VA) Information: Non-Credit Programs

Veteran’s Assistance Benefits (“GI Bill”)

Students eligible to receive veterans benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are encouraged to visit the VA website at www.va.gov or call 1‑888‑GI-Bill-1 (1‑888‑442‑4551) for questions about eligibility. Please note that fee payments for students enrolling in the EMT and Paramedic courses are due at the start of the program. The VA pays eligible veterans the designated rate throughout their enrollment in the course and typically only reimburses students the cost of fees and based on actual hours of attendance. For purposes of the VA, the EMT and Paramedic programs are considered clock-hour programs, and are considered full-time.

Attendance Policy

Student attendance is required for all class sessions. Students must be on time as tardiness will not be tolerated. You are expected to arrive 5-10 minutes early and should be prepared for the class activities. If a student is more than ten minutes late, they will be asked to leave, and will receive and unexcused absence. Every three (3) tardies will be documented as one (1) unexcused absence. Students leaving the class without the instructor’s permission and before the class has concluded will be considered absent for the entire class. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the information missed during the class they were absent. THREE (3) UNEXCUSED ABSENCES will result in the student being withdrawn from the program. If an exam is to be given and you anticipate an absence, the student must contact the instructor for arrangements to take the exam BEFORE the scheduled test date.

(The instructor will determine whether an absence is considered excused or unexcused.)

Attendance Make-Up

Any Lecture/Lab time that is missed due to an absence (excused or unexcused) must be made up by the end of the semester. If a student does not make up the hours and classes missed by the end of the semester, the student will NOT receive a passing grade and will have to retake the semester. The student must contact their Lead Instructor immediately and request the EMS Student Make-Up Time Form and then contact the EMS Training Coordinator for direction on how to get time made up.

Attendance Clinical:

Any student who has an unexcused absence during a clinical will be charged a $50.00 rescheduling fee. The student will not be assigned a makeup date until the fee has been paid in full. If the student fails to meet the required clinical hours, they will not complete the course successfully.

Early departures, class cuts, tardiness, etc., for any portion of a class period will be counted as 1/4 of a daily absence.

Students exceeding 20 percent of total absences in a calendar month will be terminated from their VA benefits for unsatisfactory attendance.

In order to show that the cause of unsatisfactory attendance has been removed, students must show good attendance (as defined) for one calendar month after being terminated for unsatisfactory attendance. After such time, the student may be recertified for VA education benefits.

Students’ attendance record will be retained in the file for VA and State Approving Agency audit purposes.

Standards of Academic Progress for VA Students

Students receiving VA educational benefits must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 each semester for the EMT and Fire programs; 3.0 in the Paramedic program. For pass/fail courses, students with a “Fail” grade, may have to repay any GI Bill benefits they received for those classes.

VA students, whose CGPAs fall below 2.0 or 3.0 respectively at the end of any semester, will be placed on academic probation for a maximum of two consecutive terms of enrollment. If VA students’ CGPA is still below 2.0 and 3.0, at the end of the second consecutive term of probation, the students’ VA educational benefits will be terminated.

VA students terminated from VA educational benefits due to unsatisfactory progress may petition the school to be recertified after attaining a CGPA of 2.0 in the EMT and Fire programs or 3.0 in the Paramedic program.

Refund Policy

The refund of the unused portion of tuition, fees, and other charges for VA students or eligible persons who fail to enter a course or withdraw or discontinue prior to completion will be made for all amounts paid which exceed the approximate prorated portion of the total charges that the length of the completed portion of the course bears to the total length of the course. The prorated amount be determined on the ratio of the number of days or hours of instruction completed by the student to the total number of instructional days or hours in the course.

Veteran’s Credit for Previous Education or Training

Students must report all education and training to the University. Students who have attended previous institutions of higher education must provide an official transcript from the attending school. Students who are straight out of the service must provide a ‘SMART’ transcript. The school must evaluate and grant credit, if appropriate, with the training time shortened, the tuition reduced proportionately. If credit is reduced through acceptance of previous education or training, the VA and the student will be notified.

Program Descriptions Fire/EMS Programs

About EMS/Fire Programs

Professional first responders attend to the needs of individuals and communities during times of crises, disasters, and emergencies. Career opportunities for first responders trained as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics are projected to grow by 24 percent before 2024, at a rate greater than other occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. EMT and Paramedic training can help advance careers in many pre-hospital care categories, such as emergency rooms, security-related fields, ski patrols, harbor supervision and life guarding. The firefighting training can help advance careers in the cruise line industry, in volunteer fire organizations or as a 911 operator—a first responder is more than a job—it’s a call to serve the community.

Barry University is proud to offer a comprehensive suite of EMS training programs, by offering EMT, Paramedic, and Firefighting programs. In addition students who complete the EMT, Fire and/or Paramedic programs may receive licensure credits that are transferable into credit programs within the PACE School through the School of Professional And Career Education’s portfolio option.

In the area of public administration, emergency management, and administration, these programs are designed to create pathways for first responders towards becoming successful leaders in the field of emergency management and medical response.

Admissions Requirements

Emergency Medical Technician

18 years of age by conclusion of program
Provide proof of high school diploma or GED
(Applicants who have earned a degree from an accredited institution of higher learning may submit a college transcript instead)
Driver’s license
Possession of valid Health Care Provider or Professional Rescuer CPR card through American Heart Association—Provider Level
Provide evidence of health insurance.
Successful completion of background check and drug screening process at www.barryex.com.
Completion of health examination form by a medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO), nurse practitioner (NP), or physician assistant (PA)
Any necessary and required immunizations

Paramedic

Provide proof of high school diploma or GED
(Applicants who have earned a degree from an accredited institution of higher learning may submit a college transcript instead)
Driver’s license
Possession of valid Health Care Provider or Professional Rescuer CPR card through American Heart Association—Provider Level
Provide evidence of health insurance.
Initiate background screening process at www.barryex.com if not already in the Barry EMS program.
Provide current and valid EMT License.
(Applicants who have recently graduated from an accredited EMT Program may submit proof of program completion instead. Students must obtain an EMT state/National licensure by the start of the third (P-3) semester.)

Fire Academy

Provide proof of high school diploma or GED.
(Applicants who have earned a degree from an accredited institution of higher learning may submit a college transcript instead)
Provide current and valid EMT or Paramedic License.
(Applicants who have recently graduated from an accredited EMT Program may submit proof of program completion instead)
Possession of valid Health Care Provider or Professional Rescuer CPR card through American Heart Association—Provider Level
Provide copy of driver’s license.
Provide evidence of health insurance.
Complete health examination form by an MD, DO, NP or PA
Students must pass Physical Agility Test (PAT)

State Eligibility and Licensing Requirements

Emergency Medical Technician

To be eligible for Florida EMT certification, an applicant must:

Submit a completed application
Submit proof to the Certification Unit of meeting the required professional education in one of the four following ways:
Florida Training—Successful completion of EMT course from a Florida Department of Health approved program within two years of passing the examination. You must submit a copy of the course completion certificate. If your course was taken more than two years before you passed the examination it will not be accepted;
OR
Out-of-State Trained—You must submit proof of current NREMT certification.
OR
FL Paramedic Certification—A Florida certified paramedic may use his/her paramedic certificate, provided that it is current and in good standing, to satisfy the professional education requirements for certification as an EMT. You must indicate your current paramedic certificate number for us to verify your certification and standing.
NOTE: If you were initially trained in Florida, received Florida licensure/certification, but did not maintain the license/certification (null and void), you may apply by Out of State Certification
Submit a copy of one of the following to the Certification Unit:
An American Red Cross CPR for Professional Rescuer card;
OR
An American Heart Association BLS for the Healthcare Provider;
OR
A CPR equivalent certification from an organization approved by the Bureau of EMS pursuant to 64J-2.038, Florida Administrative Code.
NOTE: The copy must be of both sides.
Within 2 years after program completion have passed an examination developed or required by the department;
Florida Trained applicants that have not passed the NREMT, must apply to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) at www.nremt.org to take the examination.
Applicants that were not trained in Florida and do no hold a current NREMT certification must also apply to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) at www.nremt.org to take the examination.

Criminal History Information

Felony Status—If you have ever been convicted of, pled no contest to, regardless of adjudication, to a crime in any jurisdiction, you will be required to submit the following documentation:

Law enforcement background check from each state where a felony occurred. To request your FDLE report please go to http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cms/Criminal-History-Records/Obtaining-Criminal-History-Information.aspx
The court documents showing final disposition for all cases (arrest affidavit, probation documents, etc)
Proof of civil rights restoration if applicable
Your explanation of circumstances surrounding the event(s)
Reference letters if you wish to have them considered

Once all required documents are received, your file will be sent for review. The Bureau of Emergency Medical Services has created guidelines for specific offenses to be cleared in the certification office; however, the staff cannot make determinations in advance as laws and rules do change over time. Crimes that cannot be cleared by staff will be sent to the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services for review.

Disclosures Criminal Incidents or History:

Any incident or arrest with law enforcement must be disclosed during the application process or within twenty-four (24) hours of an incident or arrest with law enforcement occurs while participating in class. Failure to notify the Program Director and/or faculty may be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program without refund.

ADA Accommodations

If you need special testing accommodations for the EMT exam please contact the NREMT at (614) 888‑4484.

Your scores will be available online within 7–14 days of your test date. No scores are mailed. Your license will be issued within 30 days of the receipt of a passing score, if all other licensure requirements are met.

Florida trained applicants must pass the required examination within two years of the course completion date. If the applicant is unsuccessful in passing the exam during the above mentioned timeframe, the applicant will be required to retake his or her training course.

Paramedic

To be eligible for Florida Paramedic certification, an applicant must:

Submit a completed Application
Possess a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) diploma
Submit proof to the Certification Unit of meeting the required professional education in one of the following ways:
Florida Training—Successful completion of a paramedic course from a Florida Department of Health approved program within two years of passing the examination. You must submit a copy of the course completion certificate. If your course was taken more than two years before you passed the examination it will not be -accepted;
OR
Out of State Certification—You must submit proof of current NREMT certification;
OR
Health Professional Licensure—A Florida licensed physician, physician assistant, dentist, or registered nurse may apply for certification as a paramedic and subsequently challenge the paramedic exam, provided he/she holds a Florida EMT certificate which is current and in good standing and has successfully completed an advance cardiac life support course. You must indicate your current EMT certificate number for us to verify your certification and standing.
NOTE: If you were initially trained in Florida, received Florida licensure/certification, but did not maintain the license/certification (null and void), you may apply by Out of State Certification
Submit a copy of one of the following to the Certification Unit:
American Heart Association ACLS card; or equivalent certification from an organization (pdf) approved by the Bureau of EMS department pursuant to 64E-2.038, Florida Administrative Code. Note: The copy must be of both sides with a signature.
Within 2 years after program completion have passed an examination developed or required by the department;
Florida trained Paramedics may elect to take the NREMT examination or the state Prometric Examination.
NREMT Examination: If you choose this option, you do not need to apply to the Department of Health for an Authorization to Test. You may schedule your examination directly with the NREMT.
Please note that you will still need to submit an application for certification along with your application fee before you may receive your state certification. If you do not pass the NREMT examination, you are not required to apply to the Department to retake the examination.
Florida Examination: You may elect to take the Florida examination offered through Prometric. If you choose this option, you will not be able to sit for the examination without first applying to the Department of Health and receiving an Authorization to Test. If you do not pass the examination, you must reapply to the Department and you may not retake the examination until you receive an Authorization to Test. You must pay your examination fee directly to Prometric.
Florida trained applicants must pass the required examination within two years of the course completion date. If the applicant is unsuccessful in passing the exam during the above-mentioned timeframe, the applicant will be required to retake his or her training course.

Criminal History Information

Felony Status—If you have ever been convicted of, pled no contest to, regardless of adjudication, to a crime in any jurisdiction, you will be required to submit the following documentation:

Law enforcement background check from each state where a felony occurred. To request your FDLE report please go to http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cms/Criminal-History-Records/Obtaining-Criminal-History-Information.aspx

The court documents showing final disposition for all cases (arrest affidavit, probation documents, etc)

Proof of civil rights restoration if applicable

Your explanation of circumstances surrounding the event(s)

Reference letters if you wish to have them considered

Licensing for EMT and Paramedic

All EMT and Paramedic certification applicants must take and pass the required examination to become Florida certified. Both exams are computer based. The required EMT and Paramedic exam is developed by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Prior to receiving Florida certification, each applicant must pass the Florida approved examination. Out–of-state trained applicants and military trained applicants must first apply to Florida and receive eligibility before taking the Florida Basic Assessment exam with the NREMT.

EMT candidates who received their training at a Florida approved EMT program will take the NREMT certification examination.

EMT candidates who are currently certified in good standing by another U.S. state or territory or by NREMT will take the NREMT written basic assessment exam

Paramedic candidates who received their training at a Florida approved Paramedic program have 2 options for entryway into Florida licensure. In-state trained paramedic candidates may take the NREMT Certification Examination OR the Florida Prometric Examination. Paramedic candidates who opt to take the NREMT Certification Examination do not need approval from our office to test. Paramedic candidates who are currently certified in good standing by another U.S. state or territory or by NREMT will take the NREMT written basic assessment exam.

License Fees

Fees must be submitted with your application and request for exam scheduling. Fees are payable to Department of Health or Medical Quality Assurance (MQA). Application fees are non-refundable. A money order or cashier’s check should be submitted.

Emergency Medical Technician Fees

Certification Application Fee	$35.00
Exam Fee	$70.00 (payable to NREMT)
Refresher Equivalent Exam Fee	$70.00 (payable to NREMT)

Paramedic Fees

Certification Application Fee	$45.00
Exam Fee	$110.00 (payable to the vendor)

Make checks or money orders payable to the “Department of Health”. Applicants and licensees are responsible for the fees outlined in applicable board or department rule at the time an application is received.

Fire Academy

To be certified (or employed) as a Firefighter in the State of Florida, an individual must submit an Application for Certification as a Firefighter, and successfully complete the Firefighter Minimum Standards Course, or have received an equivalent amount of training in another state (or country), and pass the state written and practical examinations, as required by State Statute.

Mandatory Courses for Certification

Firefighter I & II

Contact Hours

424 (398 is the minimum number of contact hours for the State of Florida)

Licensing for Fire Academy

All Firefighter certification applicants must take and pass the required state written and practical exam to become Florida certified. When taking the state written exam, students must ensure that their personal profile matches the Identification in the Pearsonvue. There are no additional fees for the Bureau of Minimum Standards testing.

Definitions of Class Structure

Interactive Lecture: This is a mandatory part of the program. This is scheduled weekly and must be completed before the next class. (i.e., if students attended a lecture on Chapters 1 and 2 on a Tuesday, the following class meeting on a Thursday will be the Interactive Lecture for the same chapters). Interactive Lectures are instructor-led and allows students to engage with the class material. Instructors monitor students’ progress throughout. Weekly contact hours of 1 are documented in the attendance recording system.

LAB: This is a mandatory part of the program. The schedule is weekly and must be completed as mandatory per the state. (i.e., if a student has a lab on Chapters 1 and 2 on a Tuesday, the following class meeting on a Thursday will be the lab for the same chapters). The method of delivery is instructor-led and allows students to engage in hands-on practical application. Instructors monitor students’ progress throughout. Weekly contact hours of 6 are documented in the attendance recording system.

OPEN LAB: This is a mandatory part of the program. The method of delivery is instructor-led and includes practical application based on weekly curriculum. Instructors monitor students’ progress throughout. Weekly contact hours of 1 hour is documented through in the attendance recording system.