• The first of more than 40 Canadian paramedics studying online with Charles Sturt is ready to graduate with a Bachelor of Paramedicine bridging degree
• Approximately 12 Critical Care Flight Paramedics from across Canada will graduate with a Charles Sturt Graduate Diploma or Master of Paramedicine in 2021
• Charles Sturt University has a long history of delivering high quality education to Canadian students

A Canadian paramedic will be the first to graduate with a paramedicine bridging degree from Charles Sturt University.

Starting in January 2020, Charles Sturt accepted the first Canadians into a new Bachelor of Paramedicine bridging degree offered online through the School of Biomedical Sciences.

Mr Ethan Van den Berg (pictured with his family) will be the first Canadian to graduate with the bachelor’s degree, which will give him opportunities for career progression in the nation’s capital city, Ottawa, where he works as an Advanced Care Paramedic.

Senior Manager, Recruitment and Marketing in the Charles Sturt International Office of Global Engagement and Partnerships, Ms Delphine Swat said, “The majority of Canadian Advanced Care Paramedics enter practice with a diploma, and there are limited domestic options for them to attain undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in paramedicine”.

“Charles Sturt University has a long history of delivering high quality education to Canadian students, including a successful distance education paramedicine degree offered in the early 2000s.

“We’re breaking new ground again by providing working Canadian paramedics the opportunity to attain undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.”

Lecturer in Paramedicine and Lead for the Canadian paramedic degree project, Ms Tania Johnston said, “The Paramedic Association of Canada has indicated that the paramedic profession is supportive of moving towards baccalaureate education, and students like Mr Van den Berg are leading the way”.

“There are now more than 40 Canadian paramedics studying online with Charles Sturt.

“Approximately 12 Critical Care Flight Paramedics from across Canada will also graduate with their Charles Sturt Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) or Master of Paramedicine in 2021, which signals a significant step forward for Canadian paramedic education.”

Mr Van den Berg is planning to continue his studies by enrolling in an honour’s year and is now volunteering as a future student ambassador to support others who are keen to further their studies with Charles Sturt University.

“It has been challenging to work and study, especially with a family, but studying with Charles Sturt University has offered me a flexible option to turn my diploma into a degree,” Mr Van den Berg said.

“I am really pleased to have accomplished this as it is a fantastic option for paramedics wanting to upgrade their credentials”. 

In recent years, cohorts of Charles Sturt paramedicine graduates have been recruited to begin their careers with the London Ambulance Service and with the East Midlands Ambulance Service, and have undertaken study and work experience placements in London, Canada and New Zealand. They have also been recognised for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.