As Associate Dean for Education and Academics, I wish to highlight the various sections of the Academic Affairs Web site. The Office of Academic Affairs has oversight responsibilities for the curriculum of the PharmD program, academic scheduling, outcomes assessment, and faculty development.
The PharmD curriculum was developed by first defining the educational outcomes for the program. These outcomes consist of 23 competency statements that address the knowledge and skills that will prepare a student for future pharmacy roles in pharmaceutical care. It also prepares students to serve as leaders for improving the quality of health care in the community.
The curricular model is built on eighteen week semesters that include orientation, traditional coursework, pharmacy practice experiences, disease management training and special programming and assessment. Use of active learning and innovative instructional technology are key components of the model. During the fourth year of the program, students participate in advanced pharmacy practice experiences over the summer, fall and spring semesters. These experiences introduce students to inpatient acute care, ambulatory care, drug information and wellness, and other practice roles.
The assessment plan embodies a continuous quality improvement (CQI) perspective and is a seamless process. The goals for the plan are to assess the activities of the School in achieving its stated goals; to improve student learning and student life; and to document to stakeholders the achievement of stated goals. Data from students, faculty, the program, and external stakeholders are assessed and subsequently used for program improvement.
The faculty development plan is comprehensive and facilitates the goals of excellence in teaching, scholarship and research and service. An intensive two-week University orientation is a unique feature of the plan. The services of the University’s Excellence in Learning and Teaching Initiative (ELTI), University’s Undergraduate Assessment and Program Review, and University’s Office of Research and Projects are available. The School has mentoring and faculty development programs. Syllabi guidelines, course evaluations, peer review of teaching, and annual faculty goals and objectives are available. School promotion and tenure guidelines are also available.
The use of innovative instructional strategies and technologies to facilitate student learning is supported. This includes the use of Blackboard® as the course management system and Accordent® for presentation recording. Students are also required to purchase a laptop that is used for accessing instructional resources, web-enhanced courses, case-based learning, taking notes, completing exams and other course assignments.
It is my pleasure to introduce you to the SIUE School of Pharmacy’s academic programs. Please feel free to contact me at 618/650-5150 or email tpoirie@siue.edu if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Therese Poirier, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, FASHP, FCCP
Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Associate Dean for Education and Academics
