Curricula Innovation Study for the Advancement of Allied Health Sciences Education through the Current Junior College System

전문대학(專門大學)의 학제(學制) 다양화(多樣化)를 통한 보건계(保健系) 학과(學科)의 계속교육과정(繼續敎育課程) 개발(開發)에 관한 연구(硏究)

College level educational training system for the allied health manpower in the country is one of the oldest junior college education programs, and has been developed at very steady phase. Since the school years of the programs limited for 2 to 3 years by the education related law, qualification of the manpower is insufficient to meet the rapidly changing needs in the field of allied health and medicine. The system is comparable with that of developed countries where 4-year baccalaureate degree programs are basically required to be an allied health personnel. Thus, education and training background of allied health program graduates of the country confronts the barriers in competition and cooperation with the graduates of foreign countries at equal basis. Beside, junior college graduates can hardly find the way through advanced courses at 4-year colleges in their specialties except a few programs such as environmental sicience or courses in hygiene. It has long been sought to develop the education and training programs for junior college graduates. Some of them are already materilized and some show remarkable progress while some need to tackle. Wide opening of the opportunity to enroll extensive education program for the junior college graduates of allied health science majors in 4-year colleges with eventual grant of bachelor's degree for those who successfully completed the programs should soon be substantiated. The study was focused to emphasize the necessity of the extensive education and training for the junior college graduate allied health manpower, and to show possibility of the education program development in connection with the 4-year degree granting education programs. The outcome of the study can be summarized as followings. 1. A total number of graduates from eight allied health sciences related programs of junior colleges by the year of 1995 are 109,320. 2. According to the survey report analysed through questionnaires, 99.7% of respondents including administrative deans and professors of junior colleges agreed with the establishment of extensive education and training programs in junior colleges. 53.9% of administrative deans, 52.9% of professors and 47.6% of the graduates expected that it is possible to learn more about their majors, and to earn bachelor's degree through the extensive education programs. Other opinions include that the programs can provide supplementary opportunities to fortify in the area of basic life science, and development of research and technology. 3. It was also found through the survey that 91.2% of the deans, 87.8% of the professors and 68.2% of the graduates responded that the most appropriate organizations to open the extensive education and training programs for allied health manpower are junior colleges where allied health personnel are taught and trained. The majority of the respondents agreed that the acceptable number of credits offered for the previous 2-year junior college graduates are $50\sim60$, and those for the current 3-year graduates are $20\sim30$ units. 4. It was strongly suggested through the survey that baccalaureate degree should be granted for those who successfully completed the extensive courses. The suggestion was claimed by 94.1% of the deans, 89.4% of the professors and 83.4% of the graduates. 5. The model curricula for the extensive education and training programs for the allied health manpower are designed for the purpose of broad capability in practice, enrichment of knowledge and promotion of proficiency for the self access in the major areas. 6. To meet the universal standards of allied health education and training program, it is recommended that opening of the curricula for the extensive, and as well as intensive, courses within junior colleges(continuation education institute) should be materialized. The special baccalaureate degree programs within junior colleges are also recommended to accommodate the junior college graduates and to grant the degree fellowing successful completion of the courses. As a part of the education revolution in progress, the school years at junior college level should be flexible depending upon the nature of course and trend of the universe. For instance, the school years for the allied health manpower should be extended to two to four years from current two to three years.