Today@Dal

A collaboration between the School of Health Administration and the Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development opens new learning opportunities for anyone interested in the field of Emergency Medical Services.

EMS System Design and the Principles of Public Relations and Marketing in EMS are two 100% online, self-paced courses anyone can now take without applying to a university program thanks to a partnership with the Faculty of Open Learning.

Starting with an individual course gives people more flexibility for fitting university learning into their busy lives. Specifically, paramedics seeking a degree but who are not yet an Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) or Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) can take an individual course and then credit that learning toward their degree when they qualify as an ACP or CCP.

“In sharing our online and self-paced courses in this way, we are trying to eliminate barriers for EMS professionals who want to move forward in their careers. The pathway through the Faculty of Open Learning allows those in full-time jobs to explore how study might work around their shift patterns, without having to commit to a full program,” says Dr. Ben Tait, instructor in the School of Healthy Administration in the Faculty of Health. “Then, when they pursue a full certificate, diploma or bachelor degree, they will know exactly how it's going work. This approach also allows paramedics who are not yet an ACP or a CCP to start working toward their bachelor degree while they continue to develop their paramedic skills.”

EMS System Design prepares learners for careers in designing and modifying an EMS system. The Principles of Public Relations and Marketing in EMS guides learners through strategies to navigate disasters and find ways to proactively manage challenging environments.

“This partnership with the School of Health Administration means that people, and specifically those working in the EMS field, will have easier access to university learning that they can pursue at their own pace and in their own time,” says Dr. Jeff Myers, Director of Community Partnerships & Projects at the Faculty of Open Learning. “We look forward to continuing to work with the School as they explore more ways we can offer university learning free of certain barriers for those working in health care.”

This collaboration and many others between the university, health-care providers, governments and communities reinforces our commitment to building a healthier future for everyone. Read more about Dalhousie’s focus on community well-being in this year’s 2023 Community Impact Report.

Registration is open. For more information on the two courses, please visit the Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development website.