Introduction

Introduction

The Academy of Wound Healing and University of Providence are pleased to offer a 1-year postgraduate degree program, namely the M.Sc. in Wound Healing, commencing Fall Semester 2022.

The M.Sc. in wound healing degree program offered by University of Providence in association with the Academy of Wound Healing prepares candidates for careers in wound healing.

The M.Sc. in wound healing degree program emphasizes the study of basic medical sciences, the study of pathophysiology, and clinical problem-solving skills as the theoretical basis of the selection of optimal treatment of chronic wounds.

This graduate program has a central focus on: (i) the biology of wound healing and tissue regeneration; (ii) hygiene, infection, and inflammation of chronic wounds; (iii) pathogenesis of chronic wounds; (iv) treatment strategies for chronic wounds; and (v) preparing graduates to accept the professional responsibility of providing wound healing services in hospitals, nursing homes, and private outpatient healthcare facilities.

The M.Sc. in Wound Healing is suitable for physicians, podiatrists, nurses, nurse
practitioners, veterinarians, physician’s assistants, and other college graduates who seek employment in a highly respected and technical discipline within the healthcare field.

The University of the Providence is a licensed, non-profit, private institution of higher education in the State of Montana.

University of the Providence has entered into an affiliation agreement with the Academy of Wound Healing in Oxford (UK) as a means of expanding its healthcare training program to include online instruction on the theoretical and practical aspects of wound care and tissue regeneration.

Academy of Wound Healing is an unlicensed, unaccredited, for-profit, private summer school in Oxford (UK) and has an experienced clinical faculty with expertise in teaching theoretical and practical aspects of wound care and tissue regeneration, including the biology of wound healing plus advanced topics such as specialized treatment of diabetic wounds, venous ulcers, and pressure sores, as well as practical aspects of the care of skin surrounding chronic wounds, pain management, rational use of dressings, and the role of bacteria in chronic wounds.

The M.Sc. in Wound Healing degree program is delivered via synchronous online lectures by staff at Academy of Wound Healing in Oxford (UK) and is intended as clinical training in wound care, especially chronic wound care.

The M.Sc. in Wound Healing Diploma and Transcript are issued by the University of Providence which has overall responsibility for the quality of the instruction, the curriculum, and integrity of the academic program.

Academy of Wound Healing in Oxford (UK) comprises a distinctive small academic community, while contributing to the large, world-class university experience offered by University of Providence (the “University”) in Great Falls, Montana.

Academy of Wound Healing and University of Providence share the common mission of creating, preserving, and transmitting knowledge and thereby contributing to the cultural, social, and economic well-being of the people of United States of America and the United Kingdom and the world. These affiliated institutions remain committed to academic excellence and quality that is the University of Providence brand, in the academic programs offered by the Academy of Wound Healing, and to the students who are admitted to and complete its clinical training program. The institutions are equally committed to providing the best possible student experience.

The M.Sc. in Wound Healing degree expands upon healthcare and biological sciences taught at the undergraduate level at University of Providence. The proposed program continues the University’s ongoing commitment to the development of graduate programs in keeping with its mission to prepare professionals to be ethical leaders in their disciplines and communities,
linking clinical skills and scientific knowledge with ethical decision-making.

The M.Sc. in Wound Healing offered by the Academy of Wound Healing / University of Providence is modeled, in part, after the world-renowned program in wound healing and tissue regeneration at Cardiff University in Wales (UK) which offers a 3-year, part-time, distance learning course; and, in part, the 2-year fulltime onsite M.Sc. in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair degree program at the National University of Ireland, Galway (Ireland). These programs are excellent but are impractical for students in USA.

Through its M.Sc. in Wound Healing degree program, University of the Providence in association with the Academy of Wound Healing offers postgraduate clinical training for students intending to become wound care specialists. This program is designed to serve the needs of both recent graduates and licensed professionals who seek specialized training in this clinical specialty. The aim of this program is to provide students with the academic background and clinical training necessary to fulfill all educational requirements to become wound care specialists in all states and proceed to advanced clinical training in hospitals and out-patient facilities.

Interestingly, wound care, per se, is not a licensed profession. Thus, after graduation, there is no license barrier-to-entry into the wound care workforce provided one works under the supervision of a licensed medical professional. This is in marked contrast to other medical professional fields where licensing requirements require lengthy internships or residency training prior to admission to licensing examinations. Thus, the critical pathway from bachelor’s degree (in any subject) to entry into the wound care workforce is only one year.

Most candidates who are likely to enroll in the M.Sc. degree in wound healing at the Academy of Wound Healing / University of Providence are preparing for the Board Certification examination administered by the American Board of Wound Healing to become Certified Skin & Wound Specialists. In addition, the American Board of Wound Management offers two pathways to Board Certification in the field of wound care: (i) CWCA Certified Wound Care Associate Board Certification for non-physicians; or (ii) CWCA Certified Wound Care Specialist for physicians. The exams are of comparable difficulty. The curriculum of the Academy of Wound Healing is designed to enable candidates pass these Board Certification examinations. That said, it is important to understand that the M.Sc. degree in wound healing is not merely examination preparation for Board Certification. The curriculum of the M.Sc. degree in wound healing has been carefully designed by experts in the field to provide a rational basis for wound healing and exceptional patient care.