Professions are changing rapidly and at an increasing rate, confronting professionals with an unprecedented requirement for adaptability and anticipation. The accelerated growth of knowledge relevant to professions and its relationship to curricula for preparing professionals has been referred to as the "cult of coverage." School culture requires that, insofar as possible, every aspect of the profession be covered in both didactic and practicum components of the curriculum. This paper examines content-based and problem-based approaches to professional learning. Questions about what is truly essential are discussed and recognition given to the fact that students need not learn everything within the confines of the school. Apprenticeships, mentor programs and other real-life educational opportunities are becoming available while learning as a lifelong process is being acknowledged as well. When today's students are in mid-career, practice will be different, therefore, students need to learn to adapt and handle not only well defined situations, but also difficulties and anomalies that will be encountered in the future. (Author/LL)