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| 2. | Curriculum Overview | ||||||||
| 3. | Purpose and Use | ||||||||
| 4. | Experience and Assessment | ||||||||
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Course Management Software and Other Technologies to Support Collaborative
Learning in a Nontraditional Pharm.D. Course
Jayne
L. Smith, The University of Georgia
Paul J. Brooks, The University
of Georgia
A. Bernie Moore, The University
of Georgia
William Ozburn, The
University of Georgia
Jonathan Marquess, Mercer
University
Elizabeth Horner, Mercer
University
Abstract
Objective: This paper describes a Nontraditional Pharm.D. curriculum put
together by the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy (UGA) and Mercer
University Southern School of Pharmacy (Mercer). The courses involved
use a variety of synchronous and asynchronous delivery methods throughout
the 53 semester hour course of study. Each course has an online component
using WebCT course management software to deliver content and case studies
augmented with graphics and audio/video streaming; to facilitate threaded
discussions and email; to administer quizzes and evaluations; and to link
to outside web-sites. The curriculum has been evaluated by qualitative
and quantitative measures of its success. This evaluation shows that a
variety of delivery methods reinforces the application of distance learning
skills.
1.
Introduction and Purpose of Program
Currently,
two degrees can be conferred to undergraduate pharmacy students, the Bachelor
of Science in Pharmacy (B.S.Pharm.) and the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.).
However, because of growing patient care responsibilities of pharmacists,
beginning in 2000 the national accrediting body for pharmacy schools will
accredit only those programs that lead to the Pharm.D. degree. The overwhelming
majority of pharmacists hold only the B.S. Pharm degree; consequently,
there is concern of possible disenfranchisement of B.S. trained pharmacists
in obtaining promotions and maintaining job security when competing with
new Pharm.D. graduates. In response to this concern, national pharmacy
practice organizations have encouraged colleges of pharmacy to develop
a mechanism by which practicing pharmacists can earn the Pharm.D. using
nontraditional, distance-learning formats. (AACP)
The two pharmacy schools in the state of Georgia, the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy (UGA) and Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy (Mercer), joined forces to create a distance learning based Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum called the Nontraditional Doctor of Pharmacy Pathway Program. The program, which began with its first class in November 1999, is designed for practicing pharmacists in Georgia, who hold the B.S. Pharm. degree and wish to obtain the Pharm.D. in a flexible, part-time curriculum.
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