Curricular mapping: process and product.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Curriculum Development
• Educational Assessment

Background:

• Curricular maps are essential tools for aligning ability-based outcomes (ABOs) with course content in pharmacy (PharmD) programs.
• These maps are crucial for meeting accreditation standards, such as those set by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
• Effective curricular mapping contributes to a comprehensive assessment plan within academic institutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a systematic process for developing curricular maps in PharmD programs.
• To demonstrate how curricular mapping can fulfill accreditation requirements.
• To present a case study illustrating the use of curricular mapping data for informing curriculum revisions.

Main Methods:

• The study proposes a five-step methodology for creating robust curricular maps.
• It details the implementation of a curricular mapping process within a specific college of pharmacy.
• The process involved linking ability-based outcomes and content to courses.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation of a curricular mapping process was achieved.
• The developed curricular maps provided valuable data for identifying areas needing improvement.
• The mapping process successfully met accreditation-related requirements.

Conclusions:

• Curricular mapping is a vital strategy for enhancing pharmacy curricula and ensuring educational quality.
• The presented methodology offers a practical framework for institutions seeking to improve their curriculum assessment and development.
• Data derived from curricular maps can effectively guide evidence-based revisions, leading to better student outcomes.