An Updated National Profile of Curriculum Committees at US Schools and Colleges of Pharmacy

Abstract

Objective. To assess how curriculum committees at US schools and colleges of pharmacy have evolved since 2011 regarding their responsibilities, structures, functions, charges, and activities.Methods. A total of 133 fully accredited schools and colleges of pharmacy were included in the survey. Data collection occurred between March and September 2020, and survey questions pertained to academic year 2019-2020. Data were collected on committee membership, leadership, functions, and charges. New questions explored ties to assessments and Standards 2016. Analysis included descriptive statistics and comparisons to the 2011 survey results.Results. The response rate was 80%; one partial response was excluded from analysis. Most schools and colleges (93%) rely on a curriculum committee to provide curriculum oversight. Faculty and students remain the most frequent types of members, but increases have occurred in the number of committees with members from other areas, including experiential programs, staff, directors, librarians, and pharmacy residents. Committee charges have increased beyond the traditional activities of curriculum planning, mapping, and review to include newer tasks. In one-third of the institutions, the primary responsibility for various assessment activities is shared by both committees.Conclusion. Curriculum committees remain a key part of pharmacy education but continue to evolve to meet their responsibilities related to new and increasing numbers of charges and to find ways to communicate and share duties with their assessment counterparts. Based on these findings, recommendations include having clear guidance for curriculum committees and reducing the frequency of their scheduled work to ensure they will be able to address new challenges as they emerge.