Usage of curriculum mapping in higher education

Year 2025, Volume: 55 Issue: S1, 1 - 7, 13.01.2026

Hülya Yıldızlı , Gülden Günaydın

https://doi.org/10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1479628

https://izlik.org/JA74JZ34BT

Abstract

In this study, the conceptual definition of curriculum mapping is explained, and its advantages and disadvantages are expressed. Additionally, examples of the use of curriculum mapping in health education are provided. Curriculum mapping is an analytical solution to the curriculum development process (design, implementation, and evaluation) that reveals gaps and inadequacies of the curriculum by making the integrated structure of the curriculum and the connections between its components visible. This solution, which reveals the match between what is taught and what is learned, also serves as a data collection tool for the curriculum. Effective curriculum mapping implements, which contribute to the curriculum development process, are not only advantageous in measurement and evaluation but also increase the academic achievement of students by positively affecting learner-centered curriculum. In addition to supporting student development, curriculum mapping also offers instructors the opportunity to create professional learning communities. The dynamic process of curriculum mapping promotes professional specialization, coordinates stakeholders’ information exchange, and increases collaboration, cooperation, and solidarity. Increasing stakeholder communication and solidarity are among the basic needs in today's global workforce competition. To increase the adaptation of the workforce to innovation, the professional skills desired to be developed in students require studies such as improvement of curriculum qualifications, quality assurance, and accreditation. At this point, curriculum mapping implementations are supported by many institutions and organizations to improve the quality of curricula, analyze accreditation and standardization requirements, effectively implement evaluation activities, and provide transparency to higher education systems.

Keywords

Curriculum development , Curriculum mapping , Professional skills , Learning outcome , Accreditation , Health education

References

• Al-EYd, G., Achike, F., Agarwal, M., Atamna, H., Atapattu, D. N., Castro, L., Estrada, J., Ettarh, R., Hassan, S., Lakhan, S. E., Nausheen, F., Seki, T., Stegeman, M., Suskind, R., Velji, A., Yakub, M., & Tenore, A. (2018). Curriculum mapping as a tool to facilitate curriculum development: a new School of Medicine experience. BMC Medical Education, 18(1), 185. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-018-1289- google scholar
• Arafeh, S. (2016). Curriculum mapping in higher education: a case studY and proposed content scope and sequence mapping tool. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 40(5), 585-611. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2014.100027 google scholar
• Beans, M.E. (2006). Curriculum mapping: A comparison of implementation in the two high schools within a suburban Philadelphia school district (Doctoral dissertation). Wilmington College, Wilmington, Ohio. https://www. proquest.com/docview/304911133/A6E6E0724194A5EPQ/1?accountid=86202& sourcetYpe=Dissertations%20&%20These google scholar
• Britten, N., Wallar, L. E., McEwen, S. A., & Papadopoulos, A. (2014). Using core competencies to build an evaluative framework: Outcome assessment of the UniversitY of Guelph Master of Public Health program. BMC Medical Education, 14(1), 2-6. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6920-14-15 google scholar
• English, F.W. (1980). Curriculum mapping. Educational Leadership, 37(7), 558-559. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ22153 google scholar
• Fairris, J.J. (2008). The effect degree of curriculum mapping implementation has on student performansa levels on sixth and eighth grade benah-mark examination (Doctoral dissertation). University of Louisiana, Monroe, LA. Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. https:// www.proquest.com/docview/304834552/337C8AC2000B4B3EPQ/1?accountid= 86202&sourcetYpe=Dissertations%20&%20These google scholar
• Gluga, R., Kay, J., Lister, R., & Lever, T. (2012). A unified model for embedding learning standards into universitY curricula for effective accreditation and qualitY assurance. İn Proaeedings of the 2012 Australasian Assoaiation for En-gineering Eduaation (AAEE) Conferenae, Melbourne, Viatoria, Australia. https:// citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&tYpe=pdf&doi=da1f66c409e88b0 aab07bbf6624f3ad61239fae google scholar
• Günaydın, G. (2024). Implementations of aurriaulum mapping in the International Baaaalaureate Middle Years Program: Teaaher's and program aoordinator's perspeatives. (Master thesis). İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa. TürkiYe. https://tez.Yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezSorguSonucYeni.js google scholar
• Günaydın, G., & Yıldızlı, H. (2022). Currciulum Mapping Applications. 2nd In-ternational Conferenae on Soaial Saienae, Humanities and Eduaation, İstanbul, Turkey. https://usbed.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2nd-ICSHE-Conference-Book-Full-22-MB-1.pd google scholar
• Hale, J. A. (2008). A guide to curriculum mapping: Planning, implementing, and sustaining the process. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press google scholar
• Hale, J.A., & Dunlap, R. F. (2010). An educational leader’s guide to curriculum mapping: Creating and sustaining collaborative cultures. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press google scholar
• Harden, R.M. (2002a). Developments in outcome-based education. Medical Teacher, 24(2), 117-120. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159022012066 google scholar
• Harden, R.M. (2002b). Learning outcomes and instructional objectives: is there a difference? Medical Teacher, 24(2), 151-155. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 014215902202068 google scholar
• Harden, R.M., (2001). AMEE Guide No. 21: Curriculum mapping: a tool for transparent and authentic teaching and learning. Medical Teacher, 23(2), 123-137. https:// doi.org/10.1080/0142159012003654 google scholar
• Huffman, S. S. (2002). Middle school teachers' perceptions of the value and efficacy of curriculum mapping and state standards. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, UniversitY of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. https:// www.proquest.com/docview/305537715/FC6E28256DDB489CPQ/1?accountid= 86202&sourcetYpe=Dissertations%20&%20These google scholar
• Jacobs, H.H. (1997). Mapping the big picture. Integrating curriculum & assessment K-12. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development google scholar
• Jacobs, H.H. (2004). Getting Results with Curriculum MApping, edited bY, Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development. ProQuest Ebook Centra google scholar
• Jacobs, H.H. (2010). Curriculum 21: Essential education for a changing world. . Asso-ciAtion for Supervision And Curriculum Development google scholar
• Jacobs, H.H., & Johnson, A. W. (2009). The curriculum mapping planner: Templates, tools, and resources for effective professional development. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development google scholar
• JollY, S.H. (2011). Perceived levels of instructional program coherence characteristics in web-based curriculum mapping and non-mapping Christian schools: Is there a difference (Doctoral dissertation)? Columbia International UniversitY, Columbia, SC. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1143147059/17B1B62EA0FB 4235PQ/1?accountid=86202&sourcetYpe=Dissertations%20&%20These google scholar
• Keeling, R. (2006). The Bologna Process and the Lisbon Research Agenda: the European Commission’s expanding role in higher education discourse, Euro-pean Journal of Education, 41. 203-223. https://doi.org/10.1111/j1465-3435.2006. 00256. google scholar
• Komenda, M., Vıta, M., Vaitsis, C., Schwarz, D., Pokornâ, A., Zaıy, N., & Dusek, L., (2015). Curriculum Mapping with Academic AnalYtics in Medical and Healthcare Edu-cation, PLoS One, 10(12), e0143748. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.014374 google scholar
• Mahzari, M., AlNahedh, T., Ahmed, A. A., Al RumYYan, A., Shaban, S., & Magzoub, M. E. (2023). Practical Guide to Undergraduate Medical Curriculum Alignment and Mapping. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 14, 1001-1012. https:// doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S42481 google scholar
• Majernık, J., Kacmarikova, A., Komenda, M., Kononowicz, A., Kocurek, A., Stalmach-PrzYgoda, A., Balcerzak, L., Hege, I. & Ciureanu, A., (2022). Development and implementation of an online platform for curriculum mapping in medical education, Bio-Algorithms and Med-Systems, 18(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10. 1515/bams-2021-014 google scholar
• Mazurat, R., & Schönwetter, D. J., (2008). Electronic curriculum mapping: supporting competencY-based dental education, Journal of Canadian Dental Association, 74(10), 886-889 google scholar
• Mills, M. S. (2003). Curriculum mapping as professional development. Curriculum Technology Quarterly 12(3), 1-4. http://www.intercom.noecs.esu.k12.oh.us/ downloads/ curriculumMappingProf.pd google scholar
• Plaza, C. M., Draugalis, J. R., Slack, M. K., Skrepnek, G. H., & Sauer, K. A. (2007). Curriculum mapping in program assessment and evaluation, American Journal of Phar-maceutical Education, 71(2), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.5688/aj71022 google scholar
• Perlin, M. S. (2011). Curriculum mapping for program evaluation and CAHME accred-itation. Journal of Health Administration Education, 28(1), 33-53. https:// www.ingentaconnect.com/content/aupha/jhae/2011/00000028/00000001/ art00003?crawler=tru google scholar
• Rawle, F., Bowen, T., Murck, B., & Hong, R. (2017). Curriculum mapping across the disci-plines: differences, approaches, and strategies, Collected Essays on Learning and Teaching, 10, 75-88. https://doi.org/10.22329/celt.v10i0.476 google scholar
• Salas, A.A., Anderson, M.B., LaCourse, L., Allen, R., Candler, C.S., Cameron, T., Lafferty, D. (2003). CurrMIT: a tool for managing medical school curricula. Academic Medicine; Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges. 275-279. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001888-200303000-0000 google scholar
• Shanks, D. J. (2002). A comparative study on academic gains between students in second grade through sixth grade before and after curriculum mapping (Doc-toral Dissertation). Tennessee State UniversitY.https://www.proquest.com/ docview/305443157?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true&sourcetYpe= Dissertations%20&%20These google scholar
• Shilling, T. (2011). A case study of curriculum mapping implementation in one high school: Implications for practice and research (Doc-toral dissertation). Oklahoma State UniversitY, Stillwater, OK. https:// www.proquest.com/docview/925634650/D313A5C7A84649EFPQ/1?accountid= 86202&sourcetYpe=Dissertations%20&%20These google scholar
• Shoja, J. (2016). Teachers’ perceptions of curriculum mapping as a useful tool (Or-der No. 10240946). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1841289430) https://www.proquest.com/docview/1841289430/9670C96B88414 D0FPQ/1?accountid=86202&sourcetYpe=Dissertations%20&%20These google scholar
• Steketee, C. (2015). Prudentia: a medical school’s solution to curriculum mapping and curriculum Management. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Prac-tice, 12(4), 1-10. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1063845.pd google scholar
• Sumsion, J., & J. Goodfellow. (2004). IdentifYing Generic Skills through Curriculum Mapping: A Critical Evaluation. Higher Education Research & Development 23 (3): 329-346. https://doi.org/10.1080/072943604200023543 google scholar
• UchiYama, K. P., & Radin, J. L. (2009). Curriculum mapping in higher education: A vehicle for collaboration, Innovative Higher Education, 33(4), 271-280. https:// doi.org/10.1007/s10755-008-9078- google scholar
• Udelhofen, Susan. (2005). Keys to curriculum mapping: Strategies and tools to make it work. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press google scholar
• Veltri, N. F., Webb, H. W., Matveev, A. G., & Zapatero, E. G. (2011). Curriculum mapping as a tool for continuous improvement of IS curriculum. Journal of Information Systems Education, 22(1), 31-43. https://jise.org/Volume22/n1/JISEv22n1p31.pd google scholar
• Wang, C. L. (2015). Mapping or tracing? Rethinking curriculum mapping in higher education, Studies in Higher Education, 40(9), 1550-1559. https://doi.org/10. 1080/03075079.2014.89934 google scholar
• WatermeYer, R. (2011). Curriculum alignment, articulation and the formative devel-opment of the learner. International Baccalaureate Organisation. https:// purehost.bath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/136642120/curriculumalignmente ng.pd google scholar
• Watson, E. G. S., Steketee, C., Mansfield, K., Moore, M., Dalziel, B., Damodaran, A., & Hu, W. (2020). Curriculum mapping for health professions education: A tYpologY. Focus on Health Professional Education A Multi-Professional Journal, 21(1),91-113. https://doi.org/10.11157/fohpe.v21i1.36 google scholar
• Wenzel, N. (2011). A case study examination of comprehensive curriculum mapping and its impact on guiding instruction and facilitating teacher collegiality (Doctoral dissertation). Walden UniversitY, Minneapolis, MN. Re-trieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. https://www. proquest.com/docview/899268051/8CB4905C157453FPQ/1?accountid=86202& sourcetYpe=Dissertations%20&%20These google scholar
• WilanskY, J. A. (2005). The effects of curriculum mapping on the instructional practices of professional collaboration, standards alignment, and assessment (Doctoral dissertation). Dowling College, Oakdale, NY. Retrieved from ProQuest Disserta-tions and Theses database. https://www.proquest.com/docview/304913188/8 B104B8CB8F1414EPQ/1?accountid=86202&sourcetYpe=Dissertations%20&%20 These google scholar
• Wiles, J. (2009). Leading Curriculum Development. Corwin Press google scholar
• Willett, T. G. (2008). Current status of curriculum mapping in Canada and the UK, Medical Education, 42(8), 786-793, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2008. 03093. google scholar
• Zelenitsky, S., Vercaigne, L., Davies, N. M., Davis, C., Renaud, R., & Kristjanson, C. (2014). Using curriculum mapping to engage faculty members in the analysis of a pharmacy program, American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 78(7), 139-148. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe78713 google scholar
• Zubek, J., Johnson, K. M., Luttrell, M. J., BrYner, R. W., Choate, J. K., & French, M. B. (2023). Development of the PhYsiologY Professional Skills Curriculum Mapping Tool (PS- MAP). Advances in Physiology Education, 47(1), 117-123. https://doi.org/10. 1152/advan.00115.2022 google scholar