study groups
Directions for Immigrants offers study groups to help you prepare for accreditation exams and employment success. Our clients review materials as outlined in the exam syllabus and/or study materials through a question and answer format. Clients also improve study skills and develop test taking skills. Attention is also paid to the development of relevant vocabulary as well as an understanding of terminology and Canadian business culture. Study groups are also a useful resource for peer support among the participants. The study groups are facilitated by a Career Coach with training in adult education and group facilitation and when possible co-facilitated by a professional in the field of study.
Currently, professional exam study groups are available for:
Engineering
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) - NEW-
The focus will be on assisting internationally educated engineers in preparing for the FE, which may be required as part of the licensing process with the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA). The study group is facilitated by a licensed engineer.
Dates:
Saturdays, January 7— April 7, 2012
Times:
2:30 pm—6:30 pm
National Professional Practice Exam (NPPE)
This study group is offered twice weekly; you may choose to attend one of the three hour sessions per week according to which day fits best into your schedule. The 12 week NPPE study group sessions run four times a year in advance of APEGGA's January, April, July and October exam dates.
To participate in the NPPE Study Group you are required to:
- Have applied to be a member of APEGGA.
- Have a minimum of two years of engineering or geosciences work experience before writing the NPPE.
- Have submitted the application to write the NPPE and paid the fee to APEGGA before the specified deadline.
- Purchased the APEGGA Study Material Kit.
Dates: January 18, 2012- April 11, 2012
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 9:00p.m.
Dates: October 19, 2011- January 11, 2012
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturdays
Dates: January 21, 2012 - April 14, 2012
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Dates: October 22, 2011 - January 14, 2012
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Medical Laboratory Science
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Certification Exam
To participate in the CSMLS Study Group you are required to register with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) to establish your eligibility for the CSMLS national certification examination.
Dates: February 4 - May 26, 2012
Delivery method:
Calgary residents: Blended delivery of online and face to face sessions
Alberta residents outside Calgary: Blended delivery of online sessions and teleconference sessions.
Nursing
Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) 
Study sessions are held once per week for three hours. Registration for eligible participants is based on a first come first served basis. This exam is held three times per year. It is recommended to purchase the following textbooks to help you prepare for the CRNE:
- CRNE Prep Guide
- Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary
- Medical Surgical Nursing in Canada
- Mosby's Comprehensive Review of Nursing
- Fundamentals of Canadian Nursing
To participate in the CRNE Study Group you are required to:
- Be deemed eligible by College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) to write the exam. Also, individuals who are completing required coursework and are intending to write the CRNE in the next exam sitting, may be eligible to participate in the CRNE study group. For more information about eligibility, please contact our office at 403-297-2555.
- CARNA will provide you with the required application forms and information about the application process. CARNA will also advise of your eligibility to take the CRNE and inform you of upcoming CRNE dates.
- Take a mandatory Study Skills Workshop at Directions for Immigrants.
- Adhere to the study group agreement policy outlining participant requirements
Dates: Tuesdays, February 28 - May 29, 2012
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Dates: Tuesdays, October 18, 2011 - January 24, 2012
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Study Skills Workshop
Participants have a choice to take one of the Study Skills Workshop that fits with their schedule.
- Date: Tuesday, October 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours)
- Date: Thursday, October 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (3 hours)
International Medical Graduates
Study Groups for International Medical Graduates (IMG Physicians)
Directions for Immigrants offers study groups for the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Qualifying Examination Part I, MCC Qualifying Examination Part II and the National Assesment Collaboration AIMG OSCE. The aim of the study groups is to facilitate focused learning and provide a learning environment in which Canadian medical content can be explored, discussed, and modeled with practicing Canadian physician educators and senior residents.Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Qualifying Examination Part I
The MCCQE Part I study group’s objectives are:
· By review, to deepen and widen clinical knowledge in all focus areas of the exam through interactive learning, mock exams, assignments, and case studies. The emphasis is on identifying personal knowledge gaps for individual focused attention.
· To develop skills in understanding computer based testing, multiple choice and clinical decision making questions in a medical context.
This study group runs for 12 weeks and study sessions are held twice a week for 3 hours.
To participate in the MCC Qualifying Examination Part I study group, participants are required to:
· Have successfully written and passed the MCC Evaluating Examination or are pending notification.
· Have registered for the Spring 2012 MCCQE Part I exam or are planning to register.
· Be approved by a program facilitator/coordinator. Please phone 403-297-2555 to book an appointment.
MCCQE Part I Study Group Calendar
Dates:
January 17, 2012 - April 14, 2012
July 19, 2011 - October 22, 2011
Tuesdays (6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) and Saturdays (10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
All applicants are waitlisted until notification of acceptance. Final acceptance to the study group is based on available space and personal suitability to the group and the objectives of the study group. For more information, call the main desk at 403-297-2555.
Integrative Series
A new study group will be offered for IMGs preparing for clinical practice as residents, preparing for formal assessments and/or Objective Structured Clinical Examinations.
The study group objectives are:
- To understand the group's objectives, formats and measurements
- To demonstrate clinical knowledge and critical thinking through interactive clinical case presentations, assignments, case studies, performance feedback, practice OSCE and evaluation.
- To enhance communication, cultural and language skills
The study group runs for 8 weeks beginning in April 2012 (exact dates to be confirmed).
Sessions are scheduled twice each week. To participate, participants are required to:
- Have successfully written and passed the MCC Evaluating Exam (MCC EE)
- Have successfully written and passed the MCC Qualifying Examination Part I (MCC QE1) or are pending notification
- Have registered for the Fall 2012 National Assessment Collaboration Objective Structured Clinical Examination (NAC OSCE) or completed in past
- Participants must meet all the Alberta International Medical Graduate Program (AIMGP) application criteria for the 2011 intake
- Candidates must meet with a Career Coach for an eligibility assessment
- Completion of NAC OSCE would be an asset
There are a limited number of spaces available for this study group. All participants are waitlisted until notification of acceptance. Final acceptance to the study group is based on available space and personal suitability to the group.
National Assessment Collaboration Objective Structured Clinical Examination (NAC OSCE) Study Group
For the 2012 sessions, two study groups are offered for the National Assessment Collaboration Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). One began in January 2012 for the March NAC OSCE, the other will start in June for the September assessment. The NAC OSCE study group will also prepare those going onto the MCCQE2 with a few additional sessions after the OSCE.
The study group's objectives are:
· To understand the NAC OSCE objectives, formats and measurements
· To deepen and widen clinical knowledge and critical thinking in all focus areas of the OSCE through interactive clinical case presentations, assignments, case studies, performance feedback, practice OSCE and evaluations
· To enhance communication, cultural and language skills relative to the passing of the OSCE
This study group runs for 11 weeks. Sessions are held twice a week. To participate in the study group, participants are required to:
· Have successfully written and passed the MCC Qualifying Examination Part I or are pending notification
· Provide copies of MCCEE and MCCQE1 results
· Have met the required language benchmarks for application to AIMGP
· Proof of registration with the Alberta International Medical Graduate Program (AIMGP).
Participants must meet all the AIMGP application criteria for the 2012 intakes.
Candidates must meet with a Career Coach for an eligibility assessment. There is limited number of spaces available for this study group. All applicants are waitlisted until notification of acceptance. Final acceptance to the study group is based on available space and personal suitability to the group and the objectives of the study group. For more information, call the main desk at 403-297-2555
Dates:
January 5, 2012 - March 8, 2012
Tuesdays (6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.) and Saturdays (1:30p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Candidates must meet with a Career Coach for an eligibility assessment. There is limited number of spaces available for this study group. All applicants are waitlisted until notification of acceptance. Final acceptance to the study group is based on available space and personal suitability to the group and the objectives of the study group. For more information, call the main desk at 403-297-2555.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Evaluating Exam 
This study group consists of reviewing materials as outlined in the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Evaluating Exam syllabus and/or study materials through a question and answer format.
The study group is offered twice weekly; you may choose to attend one of these sessions per week according to which day fits best into your schedule. This exam is administered twice a year.
To participate in the PEBC EE Study Group you are required to:
- Apply and pay the fee to have your documents evaluated by the PEBC. Note: You must have your documents evaluated before you write the Evaluating Exam.
- Submit Evaluating Exam application form and pay the examination fee.
Dates: January 14, 2012 - June 23, 2012
Time: 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Dates: July 16, 2011 - January 7, 2012
Time: 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Wednesdays
Dates: January 25, 2012 - June 20, 2012
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Dates: August 3, 2011 - January 4, 2012
Time: 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Qualifying Exam Part I (MCQ)
Study sessions are held once per week. This exam is held twice a year. Candidates must have permission from the PEBC to write the Qualifying exam.Saturdays
Dates: December 3, 2011 - May 12, 2012
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Dates: May 14 - October 29, 2011
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Thursdays
Dates: June 16 - October 27, 2011
Time: 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Qualifying Exam Part II (OSCE)
Study sessions are held once per week. This exam is held twice a year. Candidates must have permission from the PEBC to write the Qualifying exam Part 2.Saturdays
Dates: December 3, 2011 - May 12, 2012
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Dates: May 14 - October 29, 2011
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Thursdays
Dates: June 16 - October 27, 2011
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Job Success Study Groups
Clear Communication for Business, Clear Communication for Health Professionals and Communication Works! are all designed to help internationally trained professionals prepare for and succeed at job search and job maintenance. The purpose of these study groups is to develop effective communication skills and gain familiarity to Canadian workplace culture.
The study groups are a no cost service available to eligible clients. Clients need to meet with a Career Coach and have a service plan. Individuals, who are not eligible for admittance on a no cost basis, may be able to attend a study group for a fee. For more information call (403) 297-2555.
Clear Communication for Business
This is a facilitated study group, meeting for 3 hours once a week for ten weeks. The focus will be on the development of essential communication skills required to be successful in the workplace. Clients must have already met with a Career Coach and have a service plan in place.Thursdays
Dates: April 19 - June 21, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Dates: January 19 - March 22, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Dates: September 22 - November 24, 2011
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Clear Communication for Health Care Professionals
Developed for health care professionals, this facilitated study group will focus on the essence of effective communication in a health care setting. Learn more about Canadian workplace culture, developing effective listening skills and other techniques designed to help you succeed in the workplace.Mondays
Dates: April 16 - June 25, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Dates: January 16 - March 26, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Dates: September 19 - November 28, 2011
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Communication Works!
This is a facilitated study group, meeting for three hours once a week for six weeks. The focus is on key workplace communication skills including: Canadian workplace culture, sending and receiving information effectively, problem solving, group skills, conflict resolution and understanding personality.