Course Types

Paratus Institute Courses are offered in several styles. All Paratus Institute Courses emphasize student demonstration of a “hands on” skill capability.

Blended Learning (Online, Practicum)

Our preferred offering is a style we call blended learning. Blended learning courses begin with a student learning the academic portions of the material in a directed combination of text reading and online lectures, video, and interactive testing. This is followed by a “Practicum” where the student demonstrates skills competency in one or more sessions with an instructor. Blended learning allows the student to control the pace and timing of the academic portion of the course. In most of our blended learning courses the “Practicum” is all completed in one day.

Traditional

We also offer traditional courses where an instructor covers the academic materials in a classroom setting. In this form practical hands on demonstrations are combined with the lecture to create the necessary knowledge and skills set. This is followed by a “Practicum” where the student demonstrates skills competency in one or more sessions with an instructor.

Challenge

Where the certification standards allow we also offer challenge courses. In a challenge course we allow students to take a qualifying exam and, if they pass, to demonstrate practical skills in a Practicum with the instructor. We do not concern ourselves with where or how the student learned, only with their skills and knowledge being above the threshold for the certification. Many re-certifications are essentially challenge courses.

Certification

Paratus Institute is currently certifying primarily using ECSI and ASHI standards. We select the standard based on a combination of cost to the student, quality of materials, and student certification requirements. BSA Wilderness First Aid is currently given under the ECSI standards with ECSI materials.