Graduate Certificate of Community Paramedicine

At the end of the program, students of the Graduate Certificate of Community Paramedicine can:

• apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate and evaluate complex ideas, concepts and theories in authentic extended care Paramedical contexts
• communicate specialised medical and paramedical knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate a high level of extended care Paramedicine
• use self-management skills to initiate, appraise and operate in complex extended care Paramedicine professional environments.

Designed to provide paramedics with the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake a career in community paramedicine, working in urgent care, non-urgent care and primary healthcare settings.

The course focuses on the clinical issues directly related to extended care practice, and develops a greater depth of understanding of the pathophysiology, assessment and management of a variety of acute and chronic medical and minor trauma patients in the community healthcare setting.

Students will learn advanced-level clinical knowledge to apply to their daily paramedic practice, while at the same time learning advanced skills in evidence-based practice.

The combination of advanced clinical knowledge and skills provides students with the ability to continuously improve their own clinical practice, as well as impact on the organisation they are employed by and the broader Paramedicine community.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Advanced Clinical Examination and Leadership for Paramedics.

Students must select two of the following elective units:

• Paramedic Advanced Practice 1
• Paramedic Advanced Practice 2
• Paramedic Advanced Practice 3
• Ageing, Health and Wellbeing
• Evidence-Based Practice.

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you. 

Award requirements

Students are required to complete 60 credit points.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $11,850

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

ECU is ranked one of the world’s best young universities and Australia’s best public university for teaching quality. That quality extends to more than 30,000 students, many studying online through Open Universities Australia. ECU offers the same quality of teaching to you, regardless of where you’re studying in the world. Their flexible study solutions include a huge range of online courses, recognising your need to juggle work, family or other commitments.

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QS Ranking 2024:

28

Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:

25

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

All applicants are required to have a Bachelor's degree in Paramedicine, with equivalents considered. Alternatively applicants can apply with equivalent prior learning including at least five years appropriate professional experience, or AHPRA Paramedic Registration or equivalent such as HCPC (UK) or Paramedic Council (NZ), with equivalents considered.

Students can satisfy English competency requirements by showing any 

of the following:

• An IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0).
• Completion of a Bachelor degree from a country specified by ECU.
• Completion of 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).
• Equivalent prior learning courses including at least five years relevant professional experience –as accepted by ECU.
• Completion of other tests, courses or programs as accepted by ECU.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. For eligible students, ECU offers credit and recognition of prior learning (CRPL). There are 2 CRPL options: 

• Credit transfer to acknowledge students’ formal learning at uni or TAFE. 

• Recognition of students’ informal learning gained outside of the education system (for example workplace experience or volunteer training).