If they've already mastered something through work experience, then we arrange for them to demonstrate their competency in that area. An example might be the competency to write a consultation on adjusting drug dosing in a patient with renal failure. If you can demonstrate that you can do that, then that item is checked off, and you can move on to the next one. If you can't demonstrate the competency, then you have to work with a clinical preceptor until you are able to master it. Everyone still has to take the required number of credit hours and complete all courses, but you're allowed to devote the time to learning new skills, rather than going over material you already know.
Students receive videotaped lectures prepared by our expert faculty in each area.
They can view the tapes at home and study the additional course materials that are provided. They meet as a group in their respective locations three times during the semester, and those meetings allow for group discussions, case presentations and evaluation of some of the competencies. They might also in the future visit clinical sites during those days. Each group has a faculty member responsible for keeping students on track with the program. They facilitate discussions, answer questions and perform evaluations.