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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q:
What is the cost of the International Pharmacy Bridging Program? Is
there funding available?
A:
Some
applicants may qualify for a grant which would pay in part or in whole
for their tuition and books. If an applicant does qualify for a grant,
he/she may also be entitled to a living allowance for monthly expenses.
For those applicants who do not qualify for a grant, costs are as
follows:
-
Tuition $11,650.00
-
Books
$900.00
-
Mandatory Fees $350.00
Q:
How long is the program and where does it take place?
A:
The Bredin Institute
offers the program in convenient downtown locations in
both Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta. It
consists of 41 weeks of full time training which is divided into 3
phases:
-
The
first phase consists of 24 weeks of intensive in-class academic
study combined with approximately 100 hours of volunteer Structured
Practical Training.
-
During the second phase, students are engaged in further Structured
Practical Training to enable them to acquire additional internship
hours required by the Alberta College of Pharmacists (ACP) towards
the total of 1000 hours. These practicum placements are usually
located within or near the city limits of either Edmonton or
Calgary, Alberta.
-
In
the third and final phase, students return to our downtown locations
for approximately 1 week of intensive OSCE preparation.
Q:
Are the costs of the program different depending on whether I take the
program in Edmonton or in Calgary?
A:
No,
whether a student chooses to enroll in Edmonton or Calgary, program
costs remain the same.
Q:
Will the program help me to prepare for the Qualifying Examination Part
I (MCQ1)?
A:
Although we prefer students to have passed their MCQ1 before the start
of the program, we do hold an intensive Therapeutic Review for the first
few weeks of the program, prior to the MCQ1 examination. This allows
students who are planning to take their MCQ1 during the program, the
opportunity to study and prepare for the examination, while enabling all
students the chance to hone their Therapeutic knowledge – essential for
good results in the OSCE!
Q:
Will the
program help me to prepare for the Qualifying Examination Part II (OSCE)?
A:
Our
program is OSCE-focused, so in addition to our comprehensive curriculum,
a total of 3 Mock OSCE sessions are held, giving students the
opportunity to participate in simulated clinical scenarios in a
structured examination environment. Following each Mock OSCE session,
the student receives valuable personal evaluation of their individual
performances from qualified assessors and instructors.
Q:
What are the eligibility requirements of the program?
A:
There are
4 general admission requirements:
-
Current landed
immigrant status/permanent residence
or Canadian Citizenship;
-
A pharmacy
degree from an overseas University recognized by the Pharmacy
Examining Board of Canada (PEBC);
-
Successful completion of the PEBC Evaluating
Examination;
-
Possession of an
Alberta College of Pharmacists (ACP) approved language proficiency
examination and preferably, internship registration with the ACP*
*Please note: Students who are not yet registered with the ACP may
provide a Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) overall band
score of 7 to apply for the program, but it is expected that
registration qualifications for the ACP will be met before the start of
the Structured Practical Training (SPT).
Q:
What is the success rate of the program?
A:
Between 80% and 85% of all participants who have completed the program
and challenged the OSCE have passed the examination and are now employed
as fully licensed pharmacists. A few students have deferred the
examination in order to gain more hours of Canadian pharmacy experience
and consequently, we are hoping to hear of their success in the near
future!
Of the few students who failed the OSCE, we hope that by using the
information, strategies, and contacts gained in the program, 98% - 100%
of all our participants will eventually be employed in their desired
field as licensed pharmacists!
Program inquiries are welcome
at any time and may be directed to
Cheryl
Dueck,
Program Liaison Officer,
at (780) 425-3730 extension
2268.
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