Optometry

Modern Facilities

Featuring advanced equipment and a variety of clinical technologies, our on-campus clinic allows students to provide comprehensive eye and vision care to patients.

Clinical Experience

In addition to our on-campus eye clinic, students have clinical learning opportunities in selected clinical facilities, Veterans Administration Centers, health departments, hospitals and community agencies.

Early Introduction

Students begin seeing patients during their first year and progressively increase their time in clinic during their entire curriculum at MCPHS University.

Prestigious Affiliations

The School of Optometry at MCPHS is affiliated with over 60 sites across the United States for fourth-year clinical rotations in the doctorate program. Affiliations are continually being developed to ensure excellent clinical education.

Additional Patient Experience

Our complete retail store located at the Eye & Vision Center gives students the opportunity and experience of providing personalized one-on-one service to patients.

Service-Based Training

Free clinics and other volunteer service opportunities locally, regionally or internationally allow students to serve others while receiving course credit.

Combined Baccalaureate/Doctorate Program

This unique educational opportunity allows highly motivated students to complete their optometry education in a combined, straight-through, seven-year program.

A field of growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for optometrists is expected to grow at a much faster rate than many other occupations, with a potential 27% increase in jobs needed by 2024. This growth is partly driven by an aging population, with vision problems tending to occur more frequently later in life.

Well-prepared

With innovative training and immersive clinical opportunities, our graduates are extremely well prepared to enter and advance in the field of optometry. Clinical education experiences are varied so that students are prepared as independent practitioners of contemporary optometry.

Well-paid

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for optometrists was $103,900 in May 2015, with the highest 10 percent earned more than $187,200.

Job satisfaction

Optometrists rank #11 in the U.S. News’ list of the 100 Best Health Care Jobs of 2016 and #12 in U.S. News’ list of the 100 Best Jobs of 2016. Jobs are ranked according to their ability to offer an elusive mix of factors, including salary, the number of expected openings, advancement opportunities and career fulfillment.

Graduation Rates

• 80% of 2012 matriculates graduated in 4 years as part of the class of 2016
• 93% of 2012 matriculates graduated in 5 years
• 80% of 2013 matriculates will graduate in 4 years as part of the class of 2017
• 92.5% of 2013 matriculates are expected to graduate in 5 years

Residencies Placement

• 37% of the graduating class of 2016 successfully matched with Optometric Residency
• 33% of the graduating class of 2017 successfully matched with Optometric Residency
• This compares favorably to the 19% of optometry graduates, nationally, who have completed Optometric Residencies

Competitive Awards 

• 42% of the graduating class of 2017 had posters selected for publication at the June 2017 meeting of the American Optometric Association(AOA)     

Improve vision, provide quality eye and health care, and support the optometric profession by educating future optometrists within an interprofessional, state of the art, and community oriented environment, while providing care to all members of society, especially those who are underserved.

Goals

• Continuously monitor, develop, and improve our curriculum so that it is relevant, efficient, and effective.
• Recruit, admit, and retain students with diverse backgrounds and skills that will promote a culturally sensitive and educationally stimulating environment.
• Recruit, hire, and retain faculty with diverse educational background, experience, and areas of focus to support the needs of our students, patients, and the advancement of the profession through research and scholarship.
• Continuously monitor, develop, and improve our clinical program so as to deliver the best care possible to our patients.
• Strive to develop a culture and environment that embraces and demonstrates respect, community, and trustworthiness.
• Teach, mentor, and support our students to develop the knowledge and skills to practice ethical, compassionate, and evidence based eye care.
• Promote lifelong learning, dedication to community service, and cultural sensitivity.
• Promote interprofessional education in our academic and clinical programs to develop an appreciation of and an ability to interact with other health care professionals.
• Support our many communities by delivering high quality care, serving within a referral network, and developing relations to all sectors of our communities.
• Provide, maintain, and improve our facilities and environments to support student education and patient care.

The Doctor of Optometry (OD) program on the Worcester campus has been granted the classification of Accredited with Conditions by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141; phone: 800.365.2219).