The Curriculum Committee: A National Profile of U.S. Colleges of Pharmacy.
The key to an effective curriculum committee is its ability to make adaptive changes in the curriculum as changes in the profession occur. The effectiveness of this committee depends on elements such as its activities, membership, and focus. This study was designed to elucidate the status of curriculum committees in the 75 U.S. colleges of pharmacy. Sixty-six committee chairs responded to the survey, providing information about structure, function, agendas, and impact. Although a majority of the committees had moderate to high impacts on the curriculum, barriers such as faculty conservatism and departmental autonomy also existed. Revising or implementing a degree program was the biggest success of most committees. Future curriculum discussions need to focus on goals that transcend individual and departmental concerns. Student competencies or curriculum outcomes should become focal points.