Emergency Care Systems Development and Leadership

  • Degree title
    Master of Healthcare
  • Delivery method
    Online
  • Level
    Master's programme
  • Language
    English
  • Scope
    90 ECTS
  • Education duration
    1,5 years
  • Entry requirements
    In order to meet the eligibility criteria, the applicant must have a suitable bachelor's degree in emergency care, nursing, public health nursing, physiotherapy, or social care, and a minimum of two years (24 months) of relevant work experience gained after the completion of the bachelor's degree.

Are you ready to become a change agent that redesigns emergency care settings on a systems level? Do you want to gain a deeper understanding of leadership focusing on both better person-centred care and the well-being of your team? Then the online Emergency Care Systems Development and Leadership programme might be for you!

In Arcada's online master's degree programme Emergency Care Systems Development and Leadership, you will learn to develop and lead future emergency care systems by developing skills and understanding to:  

  • analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of emergency care interventions and systems
  • understand and apply systems thinking in different emergency care contexts
  • implement and manage patient safety, teamwork, and occupational wellbeing in complex emergency care settings
  • consider the opportunities and challenges of applying future digital solutions in emergency care systems.

This programme aims to support the redesign of contemporary emergency care on a systems level. For the change to be evidence-based and goal-directed, we need leaders who understand systems integration, safety science, person-centred treatment of acute and critical patients, and staff well-being at both practical and systems levels. With the skills and competencies gained from this master’s degree programme, you will be at the forefront of this development.

Combined expertise from two world-class institutions

This programme is offered in collaboration between Arcada University of Applied Sciences and LAB University of Applied Sciences. The programme combines the strengths and expertise within each institution, offering you as a student access to the latest knowledge in the field. It is also the first international master’s degree aimed at paramedics, nurses and other healthcare professionals working in emergency care settings, with a focus on systems-level development. The courses will all be held online. It is therefore not necessary to come to the Arcada or LAB campuses, or even to live in Finland in the first place.

What you will learn

  • The interpretation and evaluation of emergency care inventions and systems
  • The capability to develop systems thinking in emergency care settings
  • How to support sustainable work and teams in emergency care environments
  • How to assess future digital solutions regarding emergency care work
  • How to implement and assess patient safety interventions in emergency care contexts

Examples of future positions

After completing this master’s degree you will be qualified for leadership roles such as:

  • Emergency Care EMS Supervisor
  • Chief of Emergency Medical Services
  • Head Nurse, Assistant Head Nurse
  • Development or Project Specialist
  • Research Assistant

Structure of studies

The degree comprises 90 ECTS credits. The studies are taught entirely in English and are completed online. The coursework includes assignments and lectures (online). Participation in online lectures is not mandatory but recommended.

The degree contains the following three main modules:

  • core competences (30 ECTS credits)
  • elective complementary studies (15 ECTS credits)
  • research methods and master's thesis (15+30 ECTS credits). 

Cost of studies

Applicants from countries outside the EU/EEA are required to pay tuition fees. No scholarships are available for master's degree studies, but we do have an early-bird offer. Learn more on our Application pages.

In collaboration with

Structure of studies

Explore the structure of the degree programme.

The curriculum presented reflects the current programme, but individual study paths may vary. For the latest details, please contact the Degree Programme Director.

Inside the programme: news and highlights

NordParamedics

NordParamedics is a Nordic higher education network dedicated to advancing paramedic education and the prehospital profession across the Nordic countries. NordParamedics has a demonstrated history of over ten years of paramedicine-focused educational activities and collaboration. Through its time, the network has strengthened international collaboration on student and faculty exchanges, as well as initiated one larger development project.

Read more

Happening at Arcada

13 Jan
2027

My Future Work 2027

Are you looking for new talent, extra resources, or perhaps the next member of your team? My Future Work is Arcada’s recruitment and networking event, giving employers the opportunity to meet the experts of tomorrow – right here on campus.

15 Jan
2027

Graduation Ceremony

Arcada's graduation ceremony will be held on 15 January 2027, welcoming graduates and invited guests to campus to celebrate those who graduated between 4 June - 18 December 2026.

More dates

News at Arcada

Partially work-capable healthcare professionals support older adults in everyday life: Arcada behind award-winning innovation

The project Functional ability for older adults – Work ability for staff (TOTY) has been selected as one of the winners of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health's national innovation competition, The Future of Care Work. The innovation is an operating model based on reablement, offering dual benefits: older adults receive support to live more independently at home, while social and healthcare professionals with partial work ability are given the opportunity to continue working within the sector.

Health and wellbeing

Read more
To the top of the page