Academy of Clinicians as Teachers (ACT) Certificate Program – ONLINE!

Posted in Teaching

Academy of Clinicians as Teachers (ACT)

Certificate Program – ONLINE!

 

September 2025-May 2026

 

APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED!

Application Deadline: August 1, 2025

Cost: $100 – 13 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

 

Physicians teach every day. But what does it mean to be an effective teacher?  Being an effective physician does not necessarily mean that you are prepared to be an effective teacher. The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Office of Medical Education Research and Development, has created the Academy of Clinicians as Teachers (ACT) Certificate Program. In this program, clinical educators will work on questioning, observation & feedback, creating an optimum learning environment, and other student-centered teaching strategies. At the end of the program, participants will have a strong start on scholarship around their experience as a medical educator and a certificate as a graduate of the ACT program.

 

*This program is open to all clerkship directors and community partner physicians who teach for the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. At this time, we are not taking residents.

 

Benefits:

  • Collaborate with other clinician educators, sharing ideas and strategies
  • Become more proficient and confident in teaching skills
  • Develop as a medical education scholar

 

Certificate Program Unique Features:

  • Practice applying ideas discussed in study groups and analyze the results of practice
  • Learn how to use Action Research to improve your teaching practice and engage in scholarly work on your teaching
  • Present the results of your Action Research in the CHM Medical Education Scholarship showcase in May
  • Earn up to 13 AMA PRA Category 1 CME CreditsTM
    • 9 credits for session attendance
    • 3 credits for prep modules
    • 1 credit for project coaching meetings

Requirements:

  • Participate in six, 1.5-hour online group sessions. (You may miss one session, excluding the showcase, but you are responsible for watching the recording and completing any assigned work):
    • Tentative Schedule - Tuesdays (*Schedule can change according to whole group availability):
      • September 23, 2025 – 5:00-6:30p p.m. EST, Zoom virtual
      • October 21, 2025 – 5:00-6:30p p.m. EST, Zoom virtual
      • November 18, 2025 – 5:00-6:30p p.m. EST, Zoom virtual
      • December 16, 2025 –5:00-6:30p p.m. EST, Zoom virtual
      • January 13, 2026 – 5:00-6:30p p.m. EST, Zoom virtual
      • February 17, 2026 – 5:00-6:30p p.m. EST, Zoom virtual
      • May 14, 2026 – 5:00-7:30p CHM Medical Education Scholarship Showcase @ MSU Secchia Center, Grand Rapids, MI (Virtual presentation option will be made available for those who cannot attend this event).
  • Participation in all learning activities
  • Full participation September 2025-May 2026 to receive certificate

 

Time Commitment September 2025-May 2026 (~21 hours)

  • Virtual monthly group sessions September-February (9 hours)
  • Six preparation modules (3 hours) – CME credits available for modules
  • One-two 30 min. Zoom meetings for personalized project coaching (1 hour)
  • Scholarly project work January - May (6+ hours)
  • Showcase presentation event – May (2.5 hours)

 

Timeline:

  • Applications due August 15, 2024
  • Notification of acceptance August 18, 2024
  • Program runs September 2025 - May 2026

 

Space is limited so apply soon at: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dc1ctmrU3ZtgOlU

We will be accepting six participants from MSU.

 

Upon acceptance, you will be notified by ACT Certificate Program leader: Stacey Pylman, PhD pylmanst@msu.edu.