Curriculum leadership in the postgraduate: Gap between current and optimal status

Abstract

Background: Identifying the strengths and weakness points is one of the effective methods to analyze current status, and prioritizing actions based on the gap between current and optimal status is necessary for short-term and long-term planning in departments and colleges. The aim of this study was to determine the gap between current and optimal status of curriculum leadership in the postgraduate courses in two Iranian universities. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 212 faculty members from the two Iranian universities (one medical and one nonmedical) was randomly selected through stratified random sampling method. Data were collected by using a researcher-made questionnaire, with 55 items categorized in four areas of main dimensions in curriculum leadership. The validity of the questionnaire was determined by curriculum studies scholars, and the reliability was confirmed as the Cronbach’s alpha calculated 0.969. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics according to the variables. Results: There was a gap in all dimensions and roles. The maximum gap (?1.70) with the highest frequency (98%) were related to “improving the educational atmosphere” dimension. As for items, the maximum gap (?2.41) was related to “society needs and expectations and the labor market” in “curriculum development and revision” dimension. Conclusion: The negative gap between all dimensions of curriculum leadership implies faculty members’ dissatisfaction. Curriculum leadership at universities, colleges and departments of the study in all aspects need to be improved. Hence, it is necessary for managers to make use of the viewpoints of the faculty members to decrease the gap.

Key words: Curriculum leadership, faculty members’ viewpoints, postgraduate education, situation analysis