THE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE - A NATIONAL PROFILE OF US COLLEGES OF PHARMACY

The key to an effective curriculum committee is its ability to make ad aptive changes in the curriculum as changes in the profession occur. T he effectiveness of this committee depends on elements such as its act ivities, membership, and focus. This study was designed to elucidate t he status of curriculum committees in the 75 U.S. colleges of pharmacy . Sixty six committee chairs responded to the survey, providing inform ation about structure, function, agendas, and impact. Although a major ity of the committees had moderate to high impacts on the curriculum, barriers such as faculty conservatism and departmental autonomy also e xisted. Revising or implementing a degree program was the biggest succ ess of mosi committees. Future curriculum discussions need to focus on goals that transcend individual and departmental concerns. Student co mpetencies or curriculum outcomes should become focal points.