This book offers a comprehensive examination of the importance of educating professionals for practice in the 21st century and why and how that education needs to differ from the curricula of today. The book contains 13 chapters divided among 3 main parts: part I explores the broad social trends and political forces affecting professionals and their roles; part II analyzes professional schools' emerging curricular responsibilities, their effectiveness in meeting challenges, and ways of making them better; and part III examines the need for a stronger bond between the educational system and systems of practice. Chapter authors and titles are as follows: "Sociocultural Changes Affecting Professions and Professionals" (Christine H. McGuire); "New Expectations for Professional Competence" (Ilene B. Harris); "The Expanding Use of Technology" (Joanne Gard Marshall); "Increasing Pressures for Recertification and Relicensure" (John J. Norcini and Judy A. Shea); "Connecting Education and Practice" (Sally Hixon Cavanaugh); "Confirming the Centrality of Liberal Learning" (Robert A. Armour and Barbara S. Fuhrmann); "Building Awareness of Ethical Standards and Conduct" (David T. Ozar); "Emphasizing Critical Thinking and Problem Solving" (Charles E. Wales, Anne H. Nardi; Robert A. Stager); "Learning from Corporate Education Programs" (Robert Rippey); "Evaluating Competence for Professional Practice" (William C. McGaghie); "Challenges for Continuing Professional Education" (Nancy L. Bennett and Robert D. Fox); "Broadening the Concept of Scholarship in the Professions" (R. Eugene Rice and Laurie Richlin); and "Setting Priorities for Change in Professional Education" (Lynn Curry and Jon F. Wergin). Contains over 400 references as well as name and subject indexes. (GLR)