About the Program
The Clinical Teaching Certificate (CTC) program at the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy is a structured educational program to enhance teaching and precepting skills, allowing pharmacists to become confident and motivational educators in both academic and clinical pharmacy settings.
Two tracks are offered within the program:
Each participant benefits from the guidance and supervision of an experienced educator who provides mentorship and facilitates engagement with the College of Pharmacy. Through development workshops, hands-on learning activities, and opportunities to create, implement, and evaluate educational experiences within academic and clinical practice environments, the CTC produces skilled life-long pharmacy educators. Upon completion of all requirements, participants are awarded a certificate demonstrating their accomplishment.
Whether you are a pharmacy resident, new practitioner, or someone potentially interested in more advanced precepting / teaching, we would love to work with you. Contact the Program Directors to discuss the best path for your enrollment.
Upon completion of the CTC program, the participant will be able to:
- Develop, deliver, and assess teaching activities in a variety of instructional settings, including didactic lectures, clinical teaching/precepting, and small or large group facilitation.
- Employ effective teaching techniques based on the principles of learning.
- Assess learner performance in an effective, objective, equitable, and constructive manner.
- Incorporate self-assessment, peer assessment, mentor evaluation, and learner feedback to improve personal teaching performance.
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to provide effective learner-centered education as a preceptor, mentor, colleague, or faculty member.
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Administrative Tasks |
|
| Seminars |
|
| Didactic Instruction ‐ Pharmacy Audience (large group) |
|
| Didactic Instruction ‐ Non‐Pharmacy Audience |
|
| Facilitation, Recitation or Small Group Discussion |
|
| Evaluation |
|
| Case Creation |
Not Required |
| Clinical Precepting |
|
| Pre‐Residency Track |
|
| Teaching / Preceptor Philosophy |
|
| Attend College of Pharmacy Meeting |
Not Required |
| Academic Learning / Rotation Experience (Elective) |
Not Required |
| Academic Research Experience (Elective) |
Not Required |
| Faculty Mentor |
|
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Administrative Tasks |
|
| Seminars |
|
| Didactic Instruction ‐ Pharmacy Audience (large group) |
|
| Didactic Instruction ‐ Non‐Pharmacy Audience |
|
| Facilitation, Recitation or Small Group Discussion |
|
| Evaluation |
|
| Case Creation |
|
| Clinical Precepting |
|
| Pre‐Residency Track |
|
| Teaching / Preceptor Philosophy |
|
| Attend College of Pharmacy Meeting |
|
| Academic Learning / Rotation Experience (Elective) |
|
| Academic Research Experience (Elective) |
|
| Faculty Mentor |
|
Seminar Series Topics (2021-2022)
Orientation Day
- Introduction to Academia and Overview of USC Curriculum
- CTC Program Overview, Blackboard Orientation
- Designing Learning Activities: From Didactic Lecture to Continuing Education
- Gear Up for Active Learning
- Precepting 101: A Primer for Precepting
Seminar Topics
- Precepting 102: Creating your IPPE/APPE Syllabus
- Assessment for the Preceptor: Performance and Professionalism
- Didactic Assessment: Item Writing for Exams and CE Programs
- Designing a Teaching Philosophy & Adaptable Teaching Techniques
- Precepting 103: Advanced Precepting Skills
- Interviewing / Applying for Academic Positions
- Life-Work Balance, Mental Health and Resiliency
- Precepting 104: Case Studies in Precepting
- Course Coordination and Syllabus Development
- Promotion, Tenure Criteria and Process
- Balancing Service, Teaching and Scholarship
- Becoming a New Practitioner
- Financial Guidance at Residency Transition
- Real Estate Financials for the Medical Professional
Q: Where do I find the documents for the Clinical Teaching Certificate Program?
A: Documents will be primarily housed through a USC COP Blackboard Organization (“Clinical Teaching Certificate 2021-2022”). If you have not been added to the Blackboard page, please email the program directors to request addition.
Q: What if I cannot make one of the seminar sessions? Will we have access to the materials and recordings?
A: As a resident, it will be your responsibility to ensure you meet the requirements for seminar attendance (see CTC Checklist). Handouts will be posted on the Blackboard Organization page and a recording may be available. Unfortunately, seminar attendance can only be counted for residents who attend “live.”
Q: What if I don’t know what type of track I want to do? Can I switch tracks?
A: That is perfectly fine and honestly expected. It is recommended that you choose the clinical academician track initially in order to begin scheduling completion of additional academic intensive tasks and seminars. At any time, you should indicate to your mentor and the CTC program directors your intent to switch from one track to another. There are no penalties and nothing formal is required, other than an email making your request.
Q: I can’t get in touch with my mentor, what do I do now?
A: If reasonable time has elapsed and you are unable to get in touch with your mentor, please contact the CTC program directors directly.
Q: If I’m not a resident, but would still like to complete the program. Is that an option?
A: We would love to work with you to complete the program as a new practitioner or someone potentially interested in more advanced precepting and/or teaching. Please contact the CTC program directors directly so we may discuss the best path for enrollment.
Q: What is expected of me as a resident designated as a co-preceptor?
A: While this list is not all inclusive, these are things the resident should be expected to do during their time as a co-preceptor:
- Establish calendar or outline of duties for the student for the month.
- Provide feedback, both informally throughout the rotation and formally at midpoint and end of APPE (or other time points as needed/designated).
- Complete formal rubric and provide grade to student in consultation with preceptor of record
Further information will be found on the checklist and rubric/evaluation forms.
Q: What is the best way for me to sign-up for teaching or evaluating in courses?
A: Your mentor will be your primary contact for helping to facilitate communication with designated faculty. However, there is also a shared Google sheet (for teaching / small group opportunities) and a sign-up genius link (for grading / evaluation opportunities) within the Blackboard Organization. Keep in mind, these are living documents and are subject to change. There may also be opportunities not listed, which can be discussed with your mentor.
Q: What if I’m a resident at a distant site?
A: If you’re in the upstate, teaching and evaluating opportunities will be available at the USC COP Greenville campus. There may also be opportunities to evaluate from a distant site, however, this coordination should be worked out well in advance prior to the presentation or assignment date. Additionally, many requirements may be done for non-pharmacy student audiences (or pharmacy students from other colleges) live at or near your home institution (pharmacy students on APPE, other health care professional education, etc.)
Q: Can I work with pharmacy students from other colleges/schools to complete requirements (e.g. precepting, small group discussion)?
A: The short answer is YES! This may involve precepting or small group evaluations/discussions at your institution, or perhaps other opportunities as well.
For more information, please contact Brandon Bookstaver and/or Brie Dunn if you need anything related to the CTC program.