Clinician Educators are active in clinical practice, apply theory to their education practice, engage in educational scholarship and serve as consultants on educational matters.  The Clinician Educator Diploma Program is an Area of Focused Competence (AFC) accredited by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada.

The ideal candidate for this program is a clinician that holds a leadership or administrative role in medical education, who is looking to develop enhanced skills in medical education. Because the program is practical and applied, you can use the work you already have to do in your leadership role towards your assignments for the Units, all while being supported by the program and faculty to carry out this work at a best practice level. Senior residents can apply, but will need access to educational curricula for the applied work required for each unit, as well as protected time to be able to devote to the program. Although accredited by the Royal College, Family Medicine graduates or residents are eligible for this certification.

Completion of the program varies depending on how quickly fellows move through the units, ranging from one year to three years. Most of the work is independent, however there are required meetings with supervisors for each unit that are scheduled at the mutual availability of both parties. We do have scheduled rounds (T-TIME) once per month via Zoom that the fellows are expected to attend. Fellows should budget a minimum average of two hours a week to complete the program in three years, more time if they wish to complete the program quicker.

The flexibility of this program is both a strength and a weakness.  It is a strength as it allows you to fit a fellowship around the demands of a clinical practice.  The weakness is that it often falls off the side of your desk and you can get behind.  As a self-directed program, your success is heavily dependent on your time management skills.  Those looking for a structured program with set deadlines should consider other means to gain skills in medical education.

Current employment as a physician (Royal College or Family Medicine) or enrolment in a senior postgraduate medical training position (i.e. resident or fellow) at the University of Saskatchewan with interest and experience in medical education.

Evidence that current educational practice will provide opportunities for the educational activities required of each unit.

Successful fellows must pay an internal registration fee of $6000. This is a one-time fee for the program.

Once enrolled in the program and working on units, the program can provide you a letter to submit to the SMA CME fund for reimbursement of a portion of the internal registration fee. Specialist Physicians are also eligible to apply for the part time advanced education fund which is tied to return of service.

There is also a registration fee with the Royal College of $1950 which will be required to be paid in order to receive your Diploma.

Additional costs may arise for fellows to attend medical education conferences or other formal learning courses to meet the requirements of completing units.

Admissions Process is Officially Open (January 1)

• The call for applications is made.

Admissions Package Due (March 31)

• Written application must include the following:
  • Personal Letter (max 1000 words).
  • Letter(s) of recommendation.
  • Medical Education focused Curriculum Vitae, including Teaching Dossier.

Offer of Interviews (early April)

• Interviews will occur if we have more than 12 applicants who score highly on our selection rubric.

 Interviews (mid-April)

• Those that are shortlisted from the written application are selected to interview.
• The interviews are panel format conducted by the admissions committee.
• Candidates are scored and ranked by the committee based on responses to a standard list of questions.

 Match Day (early May)

• Congratulations! Plan to attend orientation.

 Orientation (June)

• NB: Accommodations can be made for concurrently enrolled trainees to begin early or later if desired to fit within their residency calendar year. Those interested in doing so should contact the program director upon accepting the offer of admissions.

 Research, Innovation & Scholarship in Education (June 13, 2025)

• Plan to attend Faculty Development's annual Research, Innovation & Scholarship in Education (RISE) event.  More information on the event can be found here.

 Registration Fees (due September 30)

• Internal trainees will be required to pay an internal registration fee of $6,000. 
• Once enrolled in the program, fellows can claim $1,000 for each completed Unit to the SMA CME fund.  Requests for transcripts can be made to Amy Winik at amy.winik@usask.ca

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