On-site residency periods and one-on-one mentorships supplement online coursework, providing the opportunity to learn and receive feedback directly from prominent wound care experts in Canada. This immersive on-campus learning experience allows instructors and students to meet face-to-face, and for students to appreciate how far they have come in their academic journey. Students observe in-class demonstrations by instructors, take part in clinical skills labs, and complete learning activities centered on current research or real case studies that directly translate to practice.

The mentorship component of this program facilitates over 50 different placements across Canada, including in long-term care, hospital, acute care, community or rehabilitation settings. Whenever possible, students will be matched with an experienced wound care expert who is local to them. Over the course of at least 100 hours, students apply wound healing theory to patient interactions, providing a link between academics and clinical practice under the guidance and leadership of an advanced health care practitioner.

The Advanced Health Care Practice-Wound Healing program prepares students with the skills to transform their interactions with clients. Specialized training in interprofessional communication, case management and leadership improves patient outcomes and empowers graduates to assume management and policy development roles within a variety of healthcare organizations. Students graduate from this program with advanced professional communication skills, and an enhanced ability to connect with patients, interest groups, colleagues and health care leadership.

Wound Healing Course Offerings

Fall Term (Sept. - Dec.)

AHCP9600: Research Methods & Knowledge
This course is designed to provide participants with an introduction to quantitative research methods, including:

• Basic study design and critical appraisal of studies evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention (randomized trials and observational studies)
• Validity of a diagnostic test
• Identification of risk factors for disease development
• Identification of prognostic factors for disease outcomes
• The quality of a systematic review

AHCP9660: Wound Management Principles and Assessment
This course provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to optimize the local wound environment and address the needs of people living with acute and chronic wounds. The course uses an in depth understanding of pathophysiological processes involved in tissue repair to guide the assessment of the wound and the patient. It involves applying current best practices to patients with complex wounds to identify and treat infection, consider wound debridement, and treat underlying causes of delayed healing.

AHCP9620: Clinical Mentorship
A minimum of 100 hours of clinical experience will be completed under the supervision of one or more approved mentors in a health care setting that is affiliated with this program and Western University. Whenever possible, mentorship experiences will be based on student preferences, however, this could require additional travel expenses if an appropriate mentor cannot be arranged at a site located near the student’s home. This is a full-year course that is conducted across all three terms of the program (September to June). Students are responsible for securing their own clinical mentor(s).

AHCP9630: Research Experience
Students will be involved in research related to wound healing and appreciate the work required to plan, gather, and analyze original research data. Students will work in a group with an approved program supervisor to prepare an abstract, deliver a poster and podium presentation, and write a scientific paper appropriate for publication in a wound care journal. This is a full-year course that begins in September and culminates in the presentation of the group’s research work during Research Day in July.

On-Campus Residency Period: 2.5 weeks in September

Winter Term (Jan. - April)

AHCP9615: Professionalism and Leadership in Wound Care (January - May)
A course focusing on skills and attributes that promote professionalism and leadership needed for wound care including: advanced clinical reasoning and critical thinking, interprofessional and collaborative practice, business planning, client- centered practice, consultation skills, and the application of knowledge translation principles.

AHCP9670: Advanced Wound Treatment
This course will develop advanced clinical decision making and critical thinking skills needed to assess and manage common types of acute and chronic wounds including pressure ulcers/injuries, venous/arterial leg ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers. Students will also experience advanced therapies used to enhance wound healing outcomes and practice using sound clinical reasoning to select an appropriate intervention for complex clinical scenarios.

AHCP9620: Clinical Mentorship
See course description above.

AHCP9630: Research Experience
See course description above.

On-Campus Residency Period: 2 weeks in January

Summer Term (May - Aug.)

AHCP9620: Clinical Mentorship
Completion of all requirements of the course by June 30.
See course description above.

AHCP9630: Research Experience

This supervised research experience culminates in the preparation of a research paper suitable for publication in an academic journal and the presentation of results during Research day (schedule in July).

AHCP9690: Clinical Consolidation (Wound Healing)
This course is designed to bring together knowledge, skills, and attributes acquired throughout the year.  Clinical competency will be evaluated in a competency-based clinical exam (OSCE) and in a written test where students will demonstrate how and why they would manage complex clinical cases. 
Pre-requisites: Successful completion of Wound Healing course (AHCP9660, AHCP9670, AHCP9615) and AHCP9620 (clinical mentorship experience).

On-Campus Residency Period: 1 week in July

Advanced Standing Course Offerings

Fall Term (Sept. - Dec.)

AHCP9600: Research Methods & Knowledge
This course is designed to provide participants with an introduction to quantitative research methods, including:

• Basic study design and critical appraisal of studies evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention (randomized trials and observational studies)
• Validity of a diagnostic test
• Identification of risk factors for disease development
• Identification of prognostic factors for disease outcomes
• The quality of a systematic review

AHCP9660: Wound Management Principles and Assessment
This course provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to optimize the local wound environment and address the needs of people living with acute and chronic wounds. The course uses an in depth understanding of pathophysiological processes involved in tissue repair to guide the assessment of the wound and the patient. It involves applying current best practices to patients with complex wounds to identify and treat infection, consider wound debridement, and treat underlying causes of delayed healing.

AHCP9630: Research Experience
Students will be involved in research related to wound healing and appreciate the work required to plan, gather, and analyze original research data. Students will work in a group with an approved program supervisor to prepare an abstract, deliver a poster and podium presentation, and write a scientific paper appropriate for publication in a wound care journal. This is a full-year course that begins in September and culminates in the presentation of the group’s research work during Research Day in July.

On-Campus Residency Period: 2.5 weeks in September

Winter Term (Jan. - April)

AHCP9615: Professionalism and Leadership in Wound Care (January - May)
A course focusing on skills and attributes that promote professionalism and leadership needed for wound care including: advanced clinical reasoning and critical thinking, interprofessional and collaborative practice, business planning, client- centered practice, consultation skills, and the application of knowledge translation principles.

AHCP9670: Advanced Wound Treatment
This course will develop advanced clinical decision making and critical thinking skills needed to assess and manage common types of acute and chronic wounds including pressure ulcers/injuries, venous/arterial leg ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers. Students will also experience advanced therapies used to enhance wound healing outcomes and practice using sound clinical reasoning to select an appropriate intervention for complex clinical scenarios.

AHCP9630: Research Experience
See course description above.

On-Campus Residency Period: 2 weeks in January

Summer Term (May - Aug.)

AHCP9620: Clinical Mentorship
Completion of all requirements of the course by June 30.
See course description above.

AHCP9630: Research Experience

This supervised research experience culminates in the preparation of a research paper suitable for publication in an academic journal and the presentation of results during Research day (schedule in July).

AHCP9690: Clinical Consolidation (Wound Healing)
This course is designed to bring together knowledge, skills, and attributes acquired throughout the year.  Clinical competency will be evaluated in a competency-based clinical exam (OSCE) and in a written test where students will demonstrate how and why they would manage complex clinical cases. 
Pre-requisites: Successful completion of Wound Healing course (AHCP9660, AHCP9670, AHCP9615) and AHCP9620 (clinical mentorship experience).

On-Campus Residency Period: 1 week in July

In order for students to progress in the program, the following requirements must be met on an ongoing basis:

• Students must attain an overall average of no less than 70% on all required courses in the program and no less than 60% in any one course
• Completion of the requirements of the clinical mentorship course including required mentorship hours
• Passing grade on consolidation examinations administered during the summer residency period (July)
• Completion of the supervised research project (minimum 70% of AHCP9630 course requirements)
• Attendance at mandatory residency periods including Research Day in July

In addition to completing the online application, applicants are required to submit the field-specific supplemental materials outlined below. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all supplemental application materials are uploaded as part of their online application.

Applicants to the Wound Healing program are required to submit the following supplemental requirements as part of the application:.

• CV/Resume
  • Provide information on education, clinical and other experience
• Writing Sample
  • Provide a succinct (2000-word/5-page maximum) paper written independently by the applicant about the current status and future directions of "Wound Care and Skin Health in Canada"
• Supplemental Questionnaire

• Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS is recommended)
• A minimum TOEFL score of 620 (paper-based), 105 (internet-based), 260 (computer-based) or an IELTS score of 7.5 is required
• Students who, after admission, show an inadequate command of spoken or written English must improve their proficiency to the satisfaction of the Faculty of Health Sciences
• Students may be asked to withdraw from the program if their command of English interferes with their ability to provide quality professional services
• Students who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to write the TOEFL and to have the official results sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
• The English language proficiency requirements outlined above do not apply to students from Quebec

Have questions about applying?

Email ahcp@uwo.ca.

To apply to the Wound Healing program, students should:

• Visit the  online application website
• Follow the instructions on that page to access the application
• Select "Advanced Health Care Practice MClSc" from the program options in the application and select the appropriate field

Application Deadline

• Applications will open November 1 and close June 1
• Applications may be accepted after that date if space is available
• Offers of admission are sent out beginning in late April and continue until the program is filled

The annual domestic tuition fee for this program is approximately $14,000 CAD including ancillary fees (plus $2,100 CAD mentor fee i.e. $700 CAD/term***) which is payable over three terms (September, January and May), plus course fees payable in the Fall term.

The annual international tuition fee for this program is approximately $37,000 CAD including ancillary fees (plus $2,100 CAD mentor fee i.e. $700 CAD/term***) which is payable over three terms (September, January and May), plus course fees payable in the Fall term.

In addition, there is a $300 CAD course fee to cover supplies, which is payable in the Fall term.

These fees are subject to change and are set by Western University. Instructions for students paying tuition from a Canadian bank are available from the Office of the Registrar.

***Please note all fees including mentorship fees and course fees are currently under review and are subject to change and adjustment***

OSAP Eligible

I have not been in school for a while, what if I can’t acquire two academic references?

Students who have not been in school for more than five years may use a person who is not affiliated with a university (non-academic) reference for one of their letters.

What happens if I apply on time, but my references or transcript aren't available until after applications close?

• Applications will not be considered by the admission committee until they are complete
• After the application deadline, the limited spots that are available in the program will be filled by students who have provided complete applications
• Students are strongly encouraged to have applications complete at least two weeks prior to the deadline to allow sufficient time for other requirements (transcripts, reference letters) to be delivered

Have you received a complete application from me?

Students may contact the AHCP Program Assistant ( ahcp@uwo.ca) at any time to check on the status of an application.

When can I expect to hear whether I have been accepted into the program?

The admission committee will review completed application files beginning mid-March each year. This committee makes recommendations for admission to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS), which reviews required documents to confirm all requirements. Provided all requirements have been met, SGPS will send out a letter of offer of admission by email to the applicant directly. This typically occurs in late May

Am I eligible to apply if I don’t have two years of clinical experience?

Students can still apply but the admission committee does consider the amount of clinical experience as a criteria for selecting successful applicants.

What constitutes advanced computer skills?

The Advanced Health Care Practice program is a course-based graduate program with many of the required courses delivered using online learning tools. Courses are comprised of several modules each of which include resources (readings, lecture notes, etc.), and learning activities (structured discussions, scheduled teleconferences, assignments, or quizzes). An orientation on how to access and use many of the online learning tools will be provided during the first residency period.

Am I eligible to apply as an international student?

Admission is not offered to international students. All applicants must be licensed health care professionals in Canada.

Am I eligible to apply if I am a Canadian graduate working abroad?

A requirement of this program is that students must complete clinical mentorship hours at an approved clinical site. This requires students to have current registration with the appropriate College and have malpractice insurance that is applicable to their chosen clinical site(s).

Students with advanced standing who are not required to take the clinical mentorship course (eg. specialized wound care courses and experiences) may request special consideration to enter the program.

Am I eligible to apply if I can’t attend in-class sessions at Western?

It is mandatory for students to attend the on-site residency periods on Western’s campus. If you are unable to attend, you will be required to withdraw from the program.

Are there any additional fees outside of tuition for the school year?

All AHCP students pay the same graduate fees. Those students involved in the mentorship program, are levied a fee in addition to graduate fees.

If English is not my first language, what do I need to do?

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency; the TOEFL or an IELTS is recommended. A minimum TOEFL score of 620 (paper-based), 105 (internet-based), 260 (computer-based) or an IELTS score of 7.5 is required.

Students who, after admission, show an inadequate command of spoken or written English must improve their proficiency to the satisfaction of the Facutly of Health Sciences.

Students may be asked to withdraw from the program if their command of English interferes with their ability to provide quality professional services.

Students who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to write the TOEFL and to have the official results sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

How do I provide proof of Malpractice Insurance?

Please bring a copy of your Malpractice Insurance with you on the first day of orientation.

Can I access computer resources after class hours?

Students have access to Elborn College and the computer labs at all times during residency periods.

How much time should I expect to devote to the program?

Students must be registered as full-time graduate students in the AHCP program. Students are encouraged to continue to work clinically (part-time) during the program in order to be able to incorporate new knowledge and skills into their clinical practice.

Students can expect to devote at least 20 – 30 hours/week to program related activities (i.e. studying, reading, assignments etc).