Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Studies (Practitioner Entry)

Program Overview

The BS Paramedic Studies (Practitioner) program from the University of Limerick is designed for experienced paramedics seeking to advance their knowledge and skills. Delivered through a blended approach of face-to-face and online learning, the program emphasizes problem-based learning, critical thinking, and application of knowledge in real-world scenarios. It offers state-of-the-art simulation facilities and recognizes prior learning, allowing students to integrate their practical experience with the latest e-learning resources.

Program Outline

Outline:

• The curriculum has 4 main domains:
• Knowledge of Health and Illness
• Clinical and Anatomical Skills
• Professional Skills
• Pre-Hospital Research
• Students are taught via Problem Based Learning (PBL).
• Each semester, students are divided into groups of seven or eight, each with its own tutor in a tutorial room, with PC, state of the art AV equipment and walls lined with whiteboards.
• The group meets with the tutor to work through the course material.
• The tutor does not act as a teacher, but as a facilitator, guiding the group through the PBL process.
• The first year consists of 4 modules, 2 in each semester.
• The second year consists of 5 modules, with 3 modules being delivered in semester 1 and 2 in semester 2.
• The learning outcomes will be achieved and assessed through lectures/PBL, practical assignments, workshops/role-plays, group work and self-directed eLearning.
• Project work and application of knowledge gained in practice will form part of each module.
• This will enable the student to develop their capacity for critical thinking within their discipline and apply knowledge gained on the modules to real world problems and challenges.
• The variety of teaching and assessment modalities encourages the student to embrace the learning experience and convey findings to their peers both professional and academic.

Teaching:

• Staff will be on hand to provide support in whatever area you feel you need it.
• However, to a large extent, students in the programme will be both encouraged and expected to assume a high level of responsibility for their own learning.
• Students will not be ‘spoon fed’ and there is a deliberate strategy to minimise the amount of didactic teaching in the curriculum.

Other:

• The University of Limerick (UL) BS Paramedic Studies (Practitioner) course is open to experienced paramedics/advanced paramedics who can demonstrate current paramedic practice.
• This innovative and interactive course builds upon prior learning and clinical experience and is delivered using a blended approach of face-to-face teaching and online resources.
• This allows students to learn new knowledge and skills, and to network with colleagues from a variety of backgrounds.
• Each semester, students are required to attend one week on-campus at the University of Limerick, with the remainder of the course delivered online.
• Students can access the online course content 24 hours a day.
• Recognition of prior learning is a foundation stone of adult education.
• We hope to build on your practical experience and integrate this knowledge with the most up-to-date e-learning resources.
• Students can work off site and can access course content 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world provided an internet connection is available (>2MB required).
• Consolidation weeks then allow the students to assimilate new knowledge and skills and network with colleagues from a wide variety of backgrounds.