Co-curriculum

CO-CURRICULUM: WHY, WHAT, HOW

Why must students complete the co-curriculum?

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) programs impart to each graduate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors to develop into holistic practitioners who can work on an interprofessional team, employ evidence-based practice, and provide patient-centered care.

In order for students to gain experience leading to professional and personal development, the 2016 Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Guidance document, under Standards 4 and 12, clearly articulates the need to establish a structured co-curriculum that “complements, augments, and/or advances what is learned in the didactic and experiential curriculum.” 

The Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education (CAPE) 2013 Outcomes expanded the expectations beyond knowledge and skills to include the development of the affective domains, which includes key elements of self-awareness, leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, and professionalism.

The ACPE Standards 2016 require Pharm.D. programs to implement a co-curriculum. This process will enhance and measure the competencies outlined in CAPE 2013 Domains 3 and 4 and in the ACPE Standards 2016, specifically in Standards 3 and 4.

Within these updated ACPE standards, colleges and schools are encouraged to develop intentional co-curricular opportunities that will deepen student pharmacists’ understanding of the profession and complement student learning.

What is the co-curriculum?

The co-curriculum refers to activities and learning experiences that occur outside the requirements of the didactic and experiential curriculum that complement, augment, and/or advance the students’ learning and professional development to meet the established learning outcomes.

The co-curriculum consists of required and self-selected activities that enhance our students’ development related to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes associated with direct patient care, cultural competency, effective communication, self-awareness/development, leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, professionalism, and service to others, including service as citizens in a global society.

The co-curriculum also encourages students to participate in self-directed and lifelong learning through professional development requirements developed by each student.

Extracurricular activities, which are defined as those activities that may be offered or coordinated by a school but may not be explicitly connected to academic learning, will not be considered as part of the co-curriculum.

How do students complete co-curriculum requirements?

ST. JOHN’S STRUCTURED CO-CURRICULUM PLAN

*Use the following CV rubric guide (PDF) when preparing your CV/résumé.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that the information is subject to change.