University of Limerick - Posture, Seating and Wheelchair Mobility Across the Life Course

Course Overview/Contact:

Application Deadline:  Closed

During the certificate students will:

Discuss professional issues relating to the provision of wheelchair and seating services in differing contexts and will critically examine, compare and contrast the different needs of patients/clients, service providers and models of service.  The blended learning curriculum, in-class and on-line, will provide students with the opportunity to be proactive, reflective and responsible when addressing the complex issues that affect wheelchair and seating provision systems. Through lectures, class tutorials and online discussions, students will be provided with an opportunity to broaden their perspectives by creatively and collaboratively advancing their knowledge, skills and social attitudes.

The Postgraduate Certificates programmes which can be full-time or part-time are designed to expand and enhance existing professional knowledge and to produce high quality evidence based practitioners who are better positioned to develop their individual disciplines as well as the wider health agenda

By the end of the programme:

• Students will adopt an evidence based approach to assessing and managing wheelchair and seating provision for different client groups.
• Students will acquire an advanced level of skill, knowledge and clinical reasoning to improve interventions with people with postural seating and wheelchair mobility needs and to enhance service provision practices.
• Students will integrate research knowledge and practical solutions with their own professional expertise and client preferences across the life course to establish the means of providing cost-effective, high quality services to this specialist area.
• Students will acquire advanced levels of clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills in this field of study.
• Students will develop advanced level assessment and identification of service need in their area of clinical practice.

During the certificate students will:

Discuss professional issues relating to the provision of wheelchair and seating services in differing contexts and will critically examine, compare and contrast the different needs of patients/clients, service providers and models of service.
The blended learning curriculum, in-class and on-line, will provide students with the opportunity to be proactive, reflective and responsible when addressing the complex issues that affect wheelchair and seating provision systems.  Through lectures, class tutorials and online discussions, students will be provided with an opportunity to broaden their perspectives by creatively and collaboratively advancing their knowledge, skills and social attitudes.

Contact

Course Co Ordinator: Dr Amanda Connell
Clinical Therapies
Health Sciences Building
University of Limerick
Email: ctpgcert@ul.ie
Tel: + 353 61 234149

Career Opportunities:

Autumn Semester	Spring Semester
Core Modules PY5021 Evidence Based Practice (Distance Learning) PY5081 Seating Solutions (off-campus) PY5091 Sustainable Wheelchair and Seating Provision Across the Life Course. NOTE: PY5081 & PY5091 must be taken in the same semester. Elective Modules PY5041  Pain Management PY5022  Independent Learning Module	Core Modules PY5021 Evidence Based Practice PY5081 Seating Solutions (off-campus) PY5091 Sustainable Wheelchair & Seating Provision Across the Life Course. NOTE: PY5081 & PY5091 must be taken in the same semester. Elective Modules PY5022 Independent Learning Module

Students must take four modules: PY5021 Evidence Based Practice, PY5081 Seating Solutions, PY5091 Sustainable Wheelchair and Seating Provision Across the Life Course and one elective PY5022 Independent Learning Module or PY5041 Pain Management.

Note: PY5081 & PY5091 must be taken in the same semester.

Programme Structure

Part-time: 4 modules to be completed within one academic year (enrol in autumn or spring)
Full-time: 4 modules to be completed within one semester (enrol in autumn or spring)

ECTS credits: 30

Entry Requirements:

The Graduate certificate programme is open to Health and Social Care Practitioners/Engineers with a professionally and academically accredited BSc Hons 2.2 minimum level 8 (or equivalent) in a health and social care profession or in engineering with relevant experience and interest in the area.

Option 1:

Applicants for Graduate Certificate  programmes must have a first or second class level 8 honours degree (NFQ or other internationally recognised equivalent) in a relevant or appropriate subject, or equivalent prior learning that is recognised by the University as meeting this requirement.

Option 2:

Applicants may take the Seating Solutions module on a link-in basis (6 ECTS credits). This is a level 8 (per National Framework of Qualifications Ireland) module and is open to those without degrees. The Seating Solutions module if taken alone on a link-in basis will be of particular interest to professionals who work in health and social care settings, clinical engineering, wheelchair manufacturing, supply and maintenance.

What to Include with your Application

• Qualification transcripts and certificates
• English language qualification(s) if English is not your first language
• Certified English translation of your transcripts/certificates where the original transcripts are in a language other than English
• A copy of your birth certificate (long document)
• Module Preference Form

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of either prior successful completion of a degree qualification taught through the medium of English or meet one of the criteria below (no longer than two years prior to application):

Acceptable English Language qualifications include the following:

• Matriculation examinations from European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved
• Irish Leaving Certificate English –Ordinary Level Grade D or above
• TOEFL – 580 (paper based) or 90 (internet based)
• IELTS – Minimum score of 6.5 with no less than 6 in any one component.
• English Test for English and Academic Purposes (ETAPP) – Grade C1
• GCE ‘O’ level English Language/GCSE English Language – Grade C or above
• University of Cambridge ESOL –Certificate of Proficiency in English - Grade C / Certificate in Advanced English Grade A
• GCE Examination Boards – Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations – Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate – School Certificate Pass 1-6 / University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council – School Certificate Pass 1-6

Results in examinations other than those listed above may also be accepted as meeting our English language requirements. Contact the International Education Division for advice.