IFAPP Academy Program Information

What is the IFAPP Academy-King’s College London, Medical Affairs in Medicines Development, Certification Program?

The program is a unique partnership between academia, industry, and professional associations aimed to foster competencies and improving performance in medical affairs and medicines development. It is anchored by a strategic collaboration between IFAPP (International Federation of Associations of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Pharmaceutical Medicine) and King’s College London, one of the world’s leading research and teaching universities based in the heart of London.

This modular program is offered through the IFAPP Academy’s state-of-the-art online classroom. Students successfully completing the course will receive a Certificate granted by King’s College London and IFAPP Academy and a Professional Certification granted by IFAPP and the IFAPP Academy. The use of post-nominal letters (CMD) to attest certification will be awarded.

” I encourage all medical affairs professionals to enroll in this wonderful journey that will enrich your knowledge and advance your career. “
Maribel Tribaldos, PhD, CMD, Medical Director, Sanofi Pasteur

How the Medical affairs in medicines development Certification Program works:

To earn a Medical Affairs in Medicines Development Certificate, you must successfully complete and pass 6 Modules made up of 10 lessons each and an End of Program Assessment.

1 Week (2 Lessons)

4-7 hours per week

· Online Lectures

· Post Lecture Assignments

· Discussion Forum/Webinar/Feedback

· Assessments

10 Lessons

1 Module

6 Modules (60 lessons) + End of Program Assessment (EPA) = Certified in Medicines Development (CMD)

Timeline:

ACTIVITY	*PERIOD
2021 Academic year began	January 2021
2021 Cohort Orientation Week	January 4, 2021 – January 10, 2021
Module 1	January 11, 2021 – February 21, 2021
Module 2	February 22, 2021 – April 4, 2021
Module 3	April 5, 2021 – May 16, 2021
Module 4	May 17, 2021 – June 27, 2021
Module 5	June 28, 2021 – August 8, 2021
IFAPP Academy accepting student applications for 2022.	July 5, 2021
4-week Summer Recess (no academic activities)	August 9, 2021 – September 5, 2021
Module 6	September 6, 2021 – October 17, 2021
Module 7 (optional module): Leadership in Medical Affairs	October 18, 2021 – November 28, 2021
Final Assessments for Certification of 2021 Student Cohort	October 25, 2021 – December 12, 2021
Applications due for the 2022 Cohort, Medical Affairs in Medicines Development Certification Program	December 6, 2021
	*All dates are subject to change

How much time should I plan to invest?

You will need to be self-directed, self-motivated, and well-organized in your studies and in completing your coursework. The Professional Certification Program requires approximately:

4-7 hours per week

40-70 hours per Module

240-420 hours to become a Certified Medicines Development (CMD) Professional

Every learner is different, but each week you can anticipate spending the following approximate time in your studies. This time can vary depending on study habits, note-taking habits, and familiarity with topics. Two lessons are released each week. (These estimates include the time you’ll spend preparing for and completing the examination at the end of each Module)

Completion of Online Lectures: 2 one-hour lectures per week. Students are free to view lectures at their convenience. Two lectures are released each week for five weeks. For full credit, students must complete 10 lectures during the six-week period dedicated to that Module (2 hours).
Post-Lecture Assignments: Following the lectures, students will engage in forum discussions and other learning activities to reinforce and expand on each week’s topic. In some cases, students will also be required to pass an assessment. Contributions to the Discussion Forum are graded (1-2 hours).
Webinar/Tutorials with Live Participation: The Webinars must be attended during specified dates and times. Weekly Announcements will be emailed to students with the required dates and times. Participation in the webinars will be assessed (1 hour).
Optional additional materials for select lessons
Each Module will finish with a 30-question multiple-choice exam.
After the 6 modules have been passed students will be required to participate in the End of Program Assessment which is made up of 3 Essay Questions.

Program eligibility

If you’re a medical affairs or biomedical professional responsible for creating strategies, communicating, and generating value in the medicines development process aiming to improve patient outcomes and leveraged healthcare, then this certification is the right choice for you.

Student Requirements

Graduate/postgraduate education in biomedical sciences and/or at least one year of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry
Willingness to grow in the Medical Affairs function
Proven command of the English language
Able to spend 4-7+ hours weekly for home study related to each lecture
Able to participate in synchronous webinars (4 per module – 6 Modules total per year)

Tuition Fees

IFAPP Academy/King’s College London, Medical Affairs in Medicines Development, Certification Program 2022 Base Program Fee: $9,600 USD

Group pricing: Companies interested in sponsoring employees to attend the Program should email IFAPP Academy at admissions@ifappacademy.org for information.

King’s College London – Student referrals: $8,600

- To qualify for this preferred rate, students must provide a personal invitation code from King’s College London
- For more information please visit: https://ifappacademy.org/kcl-applicants/

Regulatory/government agency employees

- Applicants must provide the following:
  - Letter of Intent
  - One letter of recommendation from a supervisor that includes employment status
  - Limited to 5 students or 5% of the final number of new attending students
  - Applicant must meet minimum student entry requirements to be considered (see above section)
- Preferred tuition fee of $4,800

IFAPP National Member Association (NMA)

- Applicants must provide a letter of recommendation from their National Member Association that includes the applicant’s current membership status with the NMA
- Preferred tuition fee of $7,600

To provide educational opportunities to students in a wide variety of countries with varying economic statuses, the Academy determines tuition fees based on several factors, including Sponsorship status (i.e. whether your tuition will be paid for by your company).

- Self-paid students 2022
  - Applicants must not be employed by a pharmaceutical company
  - Applicants must provide the following:
    - Letter of Intent
    - Two recommendation letters (one from a supervisor and the second from a colleague)
    - Limited to 5 students or 5% of the final number of new attending students
    - Applicant must meet minimum student entry requirements to be considered for this preferred tuition fee (see above section)
  - Preferred tuition fee of $4,800

Questions? Or for more information please email IFAPP Academy at admissions@ifappacademy.org

How to apply?

Applications for the 2022 academic year will open on July 5th, 2021.

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