Welcome to the Doctor of Optometry Program

White coats and name tags will be ordered for each student by the department. White coat sizes should be based on blazers or jackets that you wear over other clothing. The fall 2020 white coat order form is available here. Please complete and submit the form by July 20.

As first-year students in the School of Optometry, you will receive an equipment package, which includes the following items needed for your first year of studies;

• MCPHS First-Year Optometry Equipment Kit, packaged inside an MCPHS embossed rolling carrying case
• Your choice of a Diagnostic Set Package

The MCPHS Equipment Kit includes a personalized name plate for your equipment carrying case. For the nameplate option, students typically use their first and last name, sometimes incorporating a middle initial.

To choose your diagnostic set and enter your personalized engraved name plate information for your rolling equipment kit, please visit our distributor's brand-new website any time from Monday, June 22 through Monday, July 20.

Select "Sign In" in the top left-hand corner or scroll down to "Students & Residents Login to Your Account". From that screen, please select "Create an Account" and proceed with the following steps:

1. Use your @stu.mcphs.edu email address to register for an account
2. Enter "2024" as your Completion Year (this will ensure you receive access to view the MCPHS 1^st-Year Equipment Kit)
3. Confirm your account by visiting your @stu.mcphs.edu email account and clicking the link within the Pioneer International Account Confirmation email

Before you are able to add the equipment kit to your shopping cart, you will need to select your preference of a Heine or Welch Allyn Diagnostic Set, as well as entering your nameplate request.

Remember, no payment is required when you place your order. Your MCPHS student account statement will reflect an Optometry Equipment Fee. If you have applied for financial aid, your cost of attendance includes an allowance for this purchase.

For questions related to the website, or your equipment selection/purchase, please contact Kristi Gentile at 888.206.5380 or kgentile@pioneerstudent.com.

The Doctor of Optometry program will be using ExamSoft electronic testing software as well as Blackboard Collaborate Ultra for the administration of examinations and quizzes. All students are required to bring a laptop (Mac or PC) that meets the minimum specifications linked below in order to be able to sit for exams. When referring to the minimum specifications, take note of the requirements mentioning ExamID and ExamMonitor, which require your electronic device to be equipped with a webcam and microphone. Please also note that, if fall classes are held remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions, a desktop computer may be used in place of the aforementioned laptop.

Each student will also be required to purchase a privacy screen or privacy filter that fits on their device.

* Please note that Chromebooks are currently not compatible with ExamSoft software.

• PC Requirements
• Mac Requirements

An approved American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Basic Life Support (CPR/BLS) training for Healthcare Professionals is required of all students and must be maintained for the duration of the program. If you hold current CPR/BLS certification, please provide the Clinic Manager a copy of both sides of your signed card showing the name of the course director or training center. Otherwise, training should be completed before the start of the Spring semester and proof of certification must be provided to the Clinic Manager by January 11, 2021. Students must register for a hands-on training course or a combination of hands-on and online training. Training courses must be American Heart Association-approved; courses that "follow the AHA (American Heart Association) guidelines" is not sufficient and does not meet requirements to participate in clinical rotations. Visit the Red Cross for more information about CPR/BLS training for Healthcare Providers.

For questions whether your CPR/BLS certification is acceptable for clinical experiences, please contact the Clinic Manager, Heather Fusco, in the School of Optometry's Eye & Vision Center at heather.fusco@mcphs.edu.

As part of the CORI background check process that's required for MCPHS students encountering patients in the school's Eye & Vision Center and during screenings, please submit the following:

1. A government-issued photo identification during your first week of class. Students will receive an email announcement at their MCPHS email account regarding details of when these will be collected;
2. Completed iCORI Request Form to accompany your government-issued photo identification;
3. After your iCORI Request Form and government-issued photo ID have been submitted, you must place an order for your background check online at mycb.castlebranch.com, indicating package code MH82, with a fee payable by Visa or Master Card.

If you would like more information regarding enrolling as a student member in the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), or wish to opt-out, please submit this form by the first week of fall classes. For questions, you may reach out to the student chapter of the American Academy of Optometry on the Worcester campus.

Membership in the Academy gives you a foundation upon which to develop your research skills and professional goals. Student memberships are granted to full-time Doctor of Optometry candidates who are in good academic standing and is active for four years. Visit the AAO website for details about the benefits of student memberships”