SM

Professional Associations

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Professional Associations

The School of Continuing Studies is involved in cooperative education activities with professional associations. Many of these organizations recognize Continuing Studies courses and programs as credit toward their diplomas and certificates. Membership in the association is recommended and in some cases required. Professional requirements may vary and students must know the regulations of their association especially with regard to pass/fail marks and other examination conditions. The School cooperates with the following organizations:

Association of Administrative Assistants

Qualified Administrative Assistant Programme (Q.A.A.)

The Association of Administrative Assistants is a Canadian chartered non-profit professional organization with a three-fold purpose: to establish a national standard of qualifications for administrative assistants to senior personnel; to reach this standard by providing advanced education; and to make management aware of the fully qualified administrative assistant.

Its mission is to assist members in the continuing development of administrative skill, underlying knowledge, and professional growth, thus enhancing employment opportunities and contributions to both the workplace and the community.

The Qualified Administrative Assistant Program provides a solid background in general business education. An applicant wishing to register as a student must be a member of the Association of Administrative Assistants before they can apply to become a Q.A.A. Program student. Q.A.A. designation holders must remain members in good standing of the Association of Administrative Assistants to retain the designation of Qualified Administrative Assistant.

The program consists of three compulsory courses and four elective courses offered at 18 post-secondary institutions across Canada and must be successfully completed within seven years to qualify for the Q.A.A. Certificate and designation. Students must successfully complete the seven-course program with an overall grade point average of 60%.

To obtain important information on program requirements, please visit our website at or contact the National Director Registrar at email: registrar [at] aaa.ca.

Autorité des Marchés Financiers

The School of Continuing Studies at SM offers courses in “Personal-lines and Commercial-lines damage insurance” (I.A.R.D.). These courses will help you prepare for examinations, which are administered by l’Autorité des marchés financiers. To receive a representative's certificate (agent/broker) in damage insurance or a certificate in claims adjustment, you must take the appropriate exams at l'Autorité des marchés financiers. Before registering for courses at SM, it is necessary to first contact l’Autorité des marchés financiers to find out the minimum requirements. You must contact them by calling: 1-877-395-0337 or by visiting them on the web at: . For more information on the courses offered at SM, call: 514-398-1030.

Canadian Institute of Management

The Canadian Institute of Management is Canada's senior management association. As a non-profit organization, the Institute was established in 1942 and is dedicated to enhancing managerial skills and professional development. Currently, there are 17 branches coast-to-coast with the National Office in Barrie.

The Canadian Institute of Management, in cooperation with SM University, offers educational and developmental opportunities relevant to the needs of aspiring managers in meeting today's challenges. In addition, the Institute offers a professional designation for managers who wish to be recognized for their commitment to management excellence.

Further information regarding the Institute’s Certified in Management, Professional Manager, and Chartered Manager designations can be obtained from:

  • Canadian Institute of Management
  • Mr. Pierre Henri
  • 200-2140 boul. Marie-Victorin
  • Longueuil, QC J4G 1A9
  • Telephone: 450-671-6775
  • Email: info [at] cim-icg.ca
  • Website (Quebec):
  • Website (Canada):

Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transport (CITT)

Completing the Certificate in Logistics Management and satisfying the other requirements of the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation will qualify the candidates for membership and to use the CITT designation.

The first two courses, Transportation Systems and Logistics Processes are offered by the CITT directly. No exemptions are allowed for these two courses.

Full information on the cooperative arrangements can be obtained from the School of Continuing Studies. Students interested in membership or further information on the organization should contact:

  • Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation
  • 10 King Street East, Suite 400
  • Toronto, ON M5C 1C3
  • Telephone: 416-363-5696
  • Fax: 416-363-5698
  • Email: info [at] citt.ca
  • Website:

Canadian Payroll Association (CPA)

Certified Payroll Manager Program

SM's School of Continuing Studies offers compulsory courses recognized by the Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) for their Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) certification.

The Canadian Payroll Association's Certified Payroll Manager Program (CPM) is recognized nationally as the standard of excellence for payroll training.

The CPA awards two levels of certifications – the Payroll Compliance Practitioner Certificate (PCP) and the Certified Payroll Manager Certificate (CPM) upon completion of compulsory courses. For further information, contact the Canadian Payroll Association at 416-487-3380 ext. 272, or by email at: certification [at] payroll.ca.

Chartered Secretaries Canada

Chartered Secretaries Canada is a division of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) – the international professional body for Chartered Secretaries. Focused on corporate governance and professional administration, Chartered Secretaries Canada is the only body in North America offering an international professional designation – ACIS and FCIS – for corporate governance professionals, administrators, and corporate secretaries.

To become a Chartered Secretary, candidates must complete ICSA's International Qualifying Scheme. The Professional Program is an express route available to qualified candidates, including graduates from SM in any discipline. This eight-module program of study includes:

  • Corporate Law
  • Financial Accounting
  • Management Accounting
  • Strategic & Operations Management
  • Corporate Governance
  • Corporate Administration
  • Corporate Secretarial Practice & Procedures
  • Corporate Financial Management

The Institute maintains an international standard exemption policy. Exemptions of four subjects will be granted to graduates with a degree in Commerce, Business Administration, or Law.

For further information contact:

  • Education Coordinator
  • Chartered Secretaries Canada
  • 310-2175 Sheppard Avenue East
  • Toronto, Ontario M2J 1W8
  • Telephone: 416-944-9727 or 1-800-501-3440
  • Email: education [at] icsacanada.org
  • Website:

Insurance Institute of Canada

This Institute cooperates with SM in the offering of its certificate programs and recognizes individual courses and programs as appropriate for their professional designation. Full information on the cooperative arrangements can be obtained from the School. Students interested in membership or further information on the organization should contact:

  • Institut d'assurance de dommage du Québec
  • 1200 SM College Ave., Suite 2230
  • Montreal, QC H3B 4G7
  • Telephone: 514-393-8156
  • Fax: 514-393-9222
  • Email: montrealcourriel [at] institutdassurance.ca
  • Website:
  • Insurance Institute of Canada
  • 18 King Street East, 6th Floor
  • Toronto, ON M5C 1C4
  • Telephone: 416-362-8586
  • Fax: 416-362-1126
  • Email: genmail [at] insuranceinstitute.ca
  • Website:

International Association of Business Communicators

The Montreal chapter of IABC recognizes SM's public relations programs. For more information on IABC membership or the association, please visit the website at or contact VP Membership, Rodrigo Lima at 514-904-4083.

International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®)

International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®) is an independent non-profit professional association serving the growing field of Business Analysis. For individuals working in a broad range of roles – business analysis, systems analysis, requirements analysis or management, project management, consulting, process improvement, and more – IIBA® can help you do your job better and enhance your professional life. SM's School of Continuing Studies has been approved as a provider of business analysis training by the IIBA®. As such, certain courses offered by the School may lead to professional development hours (PDs) recognized by the IIBA®.

For more information about the IIBA, please visit .

Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC)

The Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) is a national professional association concerned with patents, trademarks, copyright, and industrial design. It is comprised of over 1,700 members from Canada and abroad. IPIC is the only professional association in Canada to which nearly all patent agents, trademark agents, and lawyers specializing in intellectual property belong. IPIC has been collaborating with SM since 1994 in offering the Summer Courses in Intellectual Property. More information can be found on the IPIC website at .

L'Ordre des Administrateurs Agréés du Québec

This organization cooperates with universities in order to initiate students into the professional practice of management. It offers special opportunities to exchange with experienced chartered administrators (C.Adm.) while they work toward obtaining their official title.

To become a member, candidates must possess:

  • a bachelor degree in business administration, commerce, or similar discipline;
  • good knowledge of French.

OR

  • a degree in another discipline but at least 30 credits in business administration, commerce or similar discipline;
  • good knowledge of French.

Students interested in membership or further information on the organization should contact:

  • Service de l'admission de l'Ordre
  • 910 Sherbrooke St. West, Suite 100
  • Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G3
  • Telephone: 514-499-0880 or 1-800-465-0880
  • Fax: 514-499-0892
  • Email: info [at] adma.qc.ca
  • Website:

Ordre des CGA du Québec (Certified General Accountant – CGA)

In order to fulfil the educational requirements necessary to obtain the CGA professional designation, the candidate must hold:
  • a bachelor of commerce degree with a major in accounting; or
  • a bachelor of commerce degree with honours in accounting; or
  • a “baccalauréat par cumul”* from an educational institution that recognizes either SM's Certificate in Accounting or Certificate in Management in combination with two other certificates from the same institution;

and she/he must complete the Short Graduate Program in Professional Practice, pass the four national examinations, and acquire 24 months of practical work experience. Under certain conditions, the specific competencies examinations Advanced Personal and Corporate Taxation 2 (TX2) and Internal Auditing and Controls (MU1) or Advanced External Auditing (AU2) might be exempted.

To obtain a CGA-Auditor permit: the only possible exemption will be for the taxation technical competency exam. The auditing technical competency exam must be successfully completed. Furthermore, the 21 months' practical training must be done in private practice and consist of performing 2,500 hours of professional services, including 100 hours in taxation and 1,250 hours in assurance (review/audit engagements) with at least 625 hours in audit.

A list of specific courses necessary to complete the educational requirements and descriptive brochures of the Order can be obtained from the School of Continuing Studies. Students interested in acquiring membership should contact:

  • Ordre des CGA du Québec
  • 500 Places d'Armes, Room 1800
  • Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2W2
  • Telephone: 514-861-1823 or 1-800-463-0163, ext. 284
  • Fax: 514-861-7661
  • Email: admission [at] cga-quebec.org
  • Website:

* Please note that SM does not offer a “baccalauréat par cumul”. Candidates who wish to obtain one should consult other (francophone) universities in Quebec for information on how a SM certificate program can be credited toward a bachelor's degree, i.e., “baccalauréat par cumul”.

Ordre des Comptables en Management Accrédités du Québec (Certified Management Accountant – CMA)

The Bachelor of Commerce program with an Accounting Concentration fulfils the educational requirements of the Ordre des comptables en management accrédités du Québec and with the appropriate options prepares students to write the CMA Entrance Examination.

A list of specific courses required to complete the educational requirements and descriptive brochures of the Order can be obtained from the School. Students interested in further information on the CMA designation should contact the Coordinator of Admission and Quality at:

  • Ordre des comptables en management accrédités du Québec
  • 393 Saint-Jacques St., Suite 920
  • Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2H7
  • Telephone: 514-849-1155 ext. 227 or 1-800-263-5390
  • Fax: 514-849-9674
  • Email: formation [at] cma-quebec.org
  • Website:

Ordre des Conseillers en Ressources Humaines et en Relations Industrielles Agréés du Québec (ORHRI)

The Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés is the primary reference organization in its field in Quebec. It has a membership of more than 10,000 professionals, candidates, and students, including 5,600 CHRPs and 2,400 CIRCs. It is the only human resources organization devoted to the protection of the public authorized by the Professional Code to confer these professional designations.

Active in all sectors, CHRPs and CIRCs contribute to the development and maintenance of a healthy working atmosphere and a safe, efficient organizational environment that respects the uniqueness of each and every employee. They also represent employers and employees in various areas of HR management, from industrial relations to staffing, training, occupational health and safety, organizational development, and compensation.

Students who are interested in becoming members or in learning more about the association should contact the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agrées at:

  • Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines et en relations industrielles agréés du Québec
  • 1200 SM College Avenue, Suite 1400
  • Montreal, Quebec H3B 4G7
  • Telephone: 514-879-1636
  • Fax: 514-879-1722
  • Email: info [at] portailrh.org
  • Website:

Ordre des Traducteurs, Terminologues et Interprètes Agréés du Québec

The Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec is an order with a reserved title representing nearly 1,900 members, all of whom are certified language professionals.

As part of its mandate to protect the public, the Order has adopted the following mission: to ensure and promote the competence and professionalism of its members in the fields of translation, terminology, and interpretation.

Students holding both the Certificate in Translation and the Graduate Diploma in Translation may apply for an equivalence in order to have access to the professional designation. Students wishing to apply for admission as student members or to apply for certification may do so by contacting the certification coordinator at 514-845-4411, ext. 223, or at 1-800-265-4815, ext. 223.

  • OTTIAQ
  • 2021 Union Avenue, Suite 1108
  • Montreal, Quebec H3A 2S9
  • Fax: 514-845-9903
  • Email: info [at] ottiaq.org
  • Website:

Project Management Institute (PMI®)

The Project Management Institute (PMI®) is an autonomous, non-profit, tax-exempt membership association dedicated to advancing the state-of-the-art in effective and appropriate application of the practice and science of project management.

SM's School of Continuing Studies has been approved as a provider of project management training by the PMI®. As such, certain courses and seminars in project management offered by the School may lead to PDU credit for PMI® members.

For more information about the PMI®, please visit or contact:

  • Telephone: 610-356-4600 (menu option 8)
  • Fax: 610-356-4647
  • Email: customercare [at] pmi.org

Purchasing Management Association (PMAC)

The Purchasing Management Association of Canada and its Quebec Institute, the CAQ, provides a well-known and accredited program in purchasing and supply-chain management. A non-profit organization, the Corporation des Approvisionneurs du Québec (CAQ) is the Quebec Institute of the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC). The PMAC has over 8,000 members in 10 institutes across Canada.

Strategic supply management is an integral function of any business, with more power to impact the bottom line than just about any function within an organization. Purchasing decisions are strategically important. They reflect directly on a corporation's bottom line, where a purchasing dollar saved has the same effect as $10.00 in sales.

The CAQ and the PMAC are the voice of an exciting and progressive business profession, purchasing, and supply management. We offer a wide range of services to our members: professional development, training, seminars, workshops, accreditation, networking, and university research. PMAC consists of a national office and 10 provincial and territorial institutes.

The association offers both a Supply Chain Management and the internationally recognized Certified Professional Purchaser (C.P.P.) Designation. The programs are comprised of purchasing courses, modules, seminars, workshops, and general management courses (such as those offered here at SM), coupled with work experience.

Individuals wishing to register in either program or for more information can obtain complete details by visiting websites of the PMAC at or the Quebec Institute at .

  • Corporation des Approvisionneurs du Québec
  • 895 boulevard du Séminaire Nord, Suite 302
  • Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3A 1J2
  • Telephone: 1-800-977-1877 or 450-357-0033
  • Fax: 450-357-0044
  • Email: info [at] caq.qc.ca

Quebec Risk and Insurance Management Association (QRIMA)

This association is a chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, a professional association of practising risk management professionals. It cooperates with SM in the offering of risk management courses that lead to the CRM (Canadian Risk Management) and the RIMS Fellow designation. Further information can be obtained from the association or visit the QRIMA website: or email agraq [at] rimsmail.org. Any queries can be directed to Janice McGraw at 514-398-6251.

Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)

RIMS is the professional body determining standards, sponsoring education programs, and controlling the professional designations for the CRM (Canadian Risk Management) and the RIMS Fellow. To be eligible for the CRM designation, candidates must successfully complete the three risk management (Risk Assessment, Risk Control, and Risk Financing) courses. To be eligible for the RIMS Fellow designation, candidates must complete four university-level courses: Accounting and Finance are required, as are the two courses selected from business, economics, MIS, law, insurance, marketing, or management, twelve days of the RIMS Fellow workshop, as well as the completion of the three risk management courses. For further information please contact:
  • The Global Risk Management Institute, Inc.
  • 1065 Avenue of the Americas, 13th Floor
  • New York, NY 10018, USA
  • Telephone: 212-655-6221
  • Fax: 212-655-6042
  • Email: fjordan [at] rims.org

Société Québécoise des Professionnels en Relations Publiques

This association recognizes SM's public relations programs. Students interested in membership or further information about the organization should contact:

  • Société québécoise des professionnels en relations publiques
  • 7255 Alexandra, Suite 106
  • Montreal, QC H2R 2Y9
  • Telephone: 514-845-4441
  • Fax: 514-842-4886
  • Email: info [at] sqprp.ca
  • Website:
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2011-2012 (last updated Jul. 21, 2011) (disclaimer)
School of Continuing Studies—2011-2012 (last updated Jul. 21, 2011) (disclaimer)
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