Overview

The Postgraduate Certificate in Special Operations Medicine is a part-time, closed-recruitment programme offered in collaboration with NATO Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ) to existing NATO (and NATO Partnership for Peace) military medical personnel.

All modules will be released as micro-credentials. Students will register for and take each module as a micro-credential when released from operational duties to attend the face-to-face workshop elements of that module. Students who successfully complete the required number of credits within the required timeframe will be eligible for an award as follows:

The Postgraduate Certificate in Special Operations Medicine is a modular programme which can be undertaken in a flexible timescale within a five-year period. Students who satisfactorily complete and pass modules to the value of 30 credits will be eligible for this award. The required 30 credits must be completed within five years of commencing the first module.

Progression to the Postgraduate Diploma in Special Operations Medicine (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Special Operations Medicine is a modular programme which can be undertaken in a flexible timescale within a five-year period. The 60-credit programme comprises the Postgraduate Certificate in Special Operations Medicine (30 credits) and an additional 30 credits which must be completed within five years of completing the Postgraduate Certificate in Special Operations Medicine.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Students take modules to the value of 30 credits from the following:		30
Elective Modules
MD6017	Special Operations Medical Planning and Support - Task Group (10)
MD6018	Special Operations Medicine Programme Development (5)
MD6019	Special Operations Surgical Team Development (5)
MD6020	Advanced Special Operations Surgical Team Development (10) 1
MD6021	Combat Medical Simulation and Tactical Combat Casualty Care (10)
MD6022	Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Medical Planning and Treatment (5)
MD6026	Special Operations Medical Planning and Support - Task Unit (5)
MD6027	Special Operations Advanced Medical Concepts (10)
MD6029	Special Operations Resuscitation Team Development (5)
MD6030	Advanced Resuscitation Skills 1 (5)
MD6031	Special Operations Medical Engagement & Partnering (5)
Total Credits		30

¹

Completion of MD6019 or relevant experience is a pre-requisite for entry to this module.

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Special Operations Medicine (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Describe the theoretical basis for Military Special Operations;
  
• Outline the role of medical support in SOF operations;
  
• Outline common definitions, medical training requirements and standards of SOF medical capability within the NATO Alliance and provide guidance to promote the highest quality, evidence-based health care within SOF;
  
• Demonstrate competent command planning at the tactical level in support of all aspects of SOF mission profiles;
  
• Critically evaluate individual NATO nation SOF medical systems to determine if it presently delivers the required capabilities expected of that SOF unit.