The Emergency Care Attendant (ECA), also known nationally as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), is the entry-level certification in Emergency Medical Services. It is the perfect first step for students planning to become an EMT or Paramedic.
No. The ECA course is a hybrid program.
- Classroom lectures are completed in person.
- Outside of class, students complete online assignments, including:
- Reading assignments
- Chapter quizzes
- Medical terminology/vocabulary assignments
- Homework
Students should plan to complete coursework outside of scheduled class meetings.
Yes. Students must obtain an American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider CPR certification by the third in-person class meeting.
Please note:
- Heartsaver CPR is not accepted.
- American Red Cross CPR is not accepted.
- Your CPR card must remain valid through the end of the course.
Yes—unless you have already completed Anatomy & Physiology I and II (BIOL 2401 & BIOL 2402).
To apply for the Weatherford College EMT Program, students must have either:
- A current Texas or National Registry ECA/EMR certification, OR
- Successful completion of Anatomy & Physiology I and II.
For students without A&P I & II, the ECA course is the recommended pathway into the EMT program.
After completing the course and passing the National Registry EMR Exam, you'll be eligible to apply for Texas Emergency Care Attendant (ECA) certification through the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Simply click the Application Process link on this page and follow each step.
Be sure to complete all required admissions documents and monitor your Weatherford
College student email throughout the application process.
This is an accelerated course. Students should expect to spend several hours each week completing online assignments and studying outside of scheduled class meetings.
Students are required to wear the approved Weatherford College EMS uniform during the course. Uniform requirements and vendor information are available on the program webpage.
Yes. Many of our students work full-time while attending the program. Because the course is only eight weeks and follows a hybrid format, students can often balance work, family, and school with good time management. Be prepared to dedicate additional time outside of class for studying and completing online assignments.
No.
Due to the demanding schedule and workload of both programs, students may not be enrolled in the Fire Academy while taking the ECA course. This policy helps ensure students can successfully meet the attendance, academic, and skills requirements of the program.
No.
The Emergency Care Attendant (ECA) program is a non-credit Workforce Education course.
Upon successful completion, students receive a Credit/No Credit grade. No traditional
letter grade or college credit hours are awarded.
No.
Because this is a non-credit Workforce Education program, it is not eligible for federal financial aid (FAFSA) or Weatherford College tuition payment plans.
Students are responsible for paying the course tuition and associated fees by the published deadlines.
No.
The ECA program is specifically designed as the recommended prerequisite pathway into the Weatherford College EMT Program. Admission priority is given to students who intend to continue their EMS education.
If your goal is not to pursue EMT training, this program may not be the best fit for your educational needs.
While the State of Texas does not require students to complete an Emergency Care Attendant (ECA/EMR) course before enrolling in an EMT program, Weatherford College has adopted this prerequisite because we believe it better prepares students for success.
The ECA course provides a strong foundation in:
- Medical terminology
- Human anatomy and physiology concepts
- Patient assessment
- Basic airway management
- CPR and emergency care
- EMS operations
- Professionalism and documentation
Students who enter the EMT program after completing the ECA course arrive with fundamental knowledge and hands-on skills already established. This allows EMT instructors to build on those concepts rather than introducing them for the first time.
Our goal is not simply to help students pass the EMT course; it is to prepare competent, confident EMS professionals. Over the years, we've found that students who complete the ECA prerequisite are generally better prepared for the pace and expectations of EMT education.
Yes.
Students who have successfully completed BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 are still welcome to enroll in the ECA program. While A&P satisfies the prerequisite for admission into the Weatherford College EMT program, many students choose to take the ECA course to gain hands-on experience, learn the fundamentals of emergency medical care, and build confidence before beginning EMT training.