These students, from thirteen counties, represent a variety of pharmacy practice settings including community, institutional and corporate work sites. The physical location of the students and the traditionally long work hours of pharmacists presented quite a challenge in the development of the curriculum. It was determined that a variety of instructional delivery methods, with a focus on asynchronous learning, would best serve the needs of these nontraditional adult students. A limited number of onsite weekend workshops and seminars are also interspersed throughout the curriculum and proctored exams are given at regional test sites. In order to be admitted to the program, each student must have computer hardware and software that meet minimum requirements and must have basic computer skills.
Computer skills are integral to a student's success in the program.
In addition, the educational program specialist is available to provide technical support to students as needed. An educational program specialist works with UGA and Mercer faculty on course development and appropriate use of technology. Decision on the use of technology is made based on the needs of the course, faculty and student. A key to the success of each course is the use of online learning tools via a WebCT course site. As the students progress through the courses, the use of technology is assessed on an ongoing basis.