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Pennsylvania College of Optometry

Melissa E. Trego, OD, PhD, Dean

Founded in 1919, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) established Salus University in July 2008.

Mission

The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) innovates and leads in the development of optometrists who advance health and health care through excellence in discovery, patient care, and professionalism.

PCO’s programs are offered in an interdisciplinary environment dedicated to teaching/learning effectiveness, enhancing career development, inspiring and developing leadership, and fostering new discoveries through research.

Goals

Goal 1: PCO will recruit, develop, and retain highly qualified faculty best suited to deliver the curriculum.

Objectives:

1.1 Conduct faculty salary and full time equivalent (FTE) analysis.

1.2 Train and support faculty to become established campus leaders in outcomes and assessment that enrich the College’s programs and prestige.

1.3 Increase faculty awareness of educational pedagogy and innovation that enhances the College’s scholarly impact.

1.4 Support and promote lifelong learning and growth opportunities that cultivate leadership, discovery, and scholarly activity.

1.5 Assess and identify needs for basic science/research/non-optometrist faculty recruitment.

Goal 2: PCO will implement a progressive curriculum that prepares students for patient-centered, problem-oriented, and evidence-based patient care which includes appropriate structures and delivery systems such as educational information technology (IT), didactic and clinical equipment, and institutional/staff support (2015-2018).

Objectives:

2.1 Identify Curriculum Committee including Committee Chair, Oversight Committee Members, Sub-Committees, and charges to members and sub-groups.

2.2 Initiate curriculum mapping to identify gaps, redundancies, and areas of potential expanded instruction.

2.3 Implement revised curricular changes.

2.4 Identify and incorporate educational IT resources for electronic reference materials and evaluation/testing into optometry didactic and clinical educational programs.

2.5 Modernize the College’s clinical skills training and evaluation environments to include emerging diagnostic/therapeutic equipment, modern patient care space, and e-technology and related resources, to address current and future trends in health care evaluation and management.

2.6 Maintain a maximum class size of 150 for next 3 years with attrition of no more than 2% and full year re-enrollment of no more than 3% (2015-2018).

Goal 3: PCO will identify and implement student learning assessment strategies, analyses, and appropriate interventions for the traditional and accelerated scholars doctor of optometry degree programs.

Objectives:

3.1 Assess scope and quality of the didactic education experience.

3.2 Assess scope and quality of the on-campus clinical education experience.

3.3 Assess scope and quality of the off-site externship program experience.

3.4 Assess scope and quality of the Advanced Certificates experience.

Goal 4: PCO will develop graduates at the cutting edge of progressive optometric practice who are competent and diversified; value integrated health care; and are prepared to practice in any healthcare setting.

Objectives:

4.1 Provide students with diverse clinical experiences during their training.

4.2 Increase core competencies in areas including minor surgical procedures (i.e. lasers), electrophysiology, and interdisciplinary patient-centered health medical home.

4.3 Improve first-time pass rate on national board scores.

4.4 Instill an understanding and appreciation for community-based service including health-care delivery, organization, and implementation.

Goal 5: PCO will maintain full accreditation by the ACOE.

Objectives:

5.1 Identify Self-Study Committee including Oversight Committee, Members, individual Standards Workgroups and charges to members and groups.

5.2 Develop a self-study document in preparation for 2016 ACOE Accreditation site visit that includes analysis, assessment, and implementation of processes (2015).

Educational Goals to Develop Entry Level Practitioners of Optometry

  1. Practice with the highest level of ethical standards for the profession.
  2. Demonstrate superior abilities for clinical skills and patient care.
  3. Attain licensure to practice evidence based contemporary optometry in any state.
  4. Exhibit a high degree of professionalism.
  5. Recognize the importance for continued growth, development, and learning.
  6. Demonstrate an ability to act as a mentor within the program and profession through acts of service.

Educational Objectives to Develop Entry Level Practitioners of Optometry:

  1. Apply background knowledge of basic sciences and systemic disease in the management of ocular disease.
  2. Properly utilize clinical skills in the acquisition of collecting data and performing comprehensive eye exams.
  3. Analyze pertinent clinical data to arrive at appropriate diagnosis and treatment plans.
  4. Effectively and confidently communicate to all involved healthcare providers in the delivery and management of patient care.
  5. Demonstrate competence in compliance with optometric healthcare organizations.
  6. Recognize the role of research in optometric care.
  7. Illustrate commitment to becoming lifelong learners.
  8. Demonstrate competency in the use of ophthalmic materials.
  9. Apply effective problem solving skills.
  10. Summarize the tenets that define good practice management.
  11. Use evidence-based knowledge to facilitate individualized patient care.
  12. Employ effective verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills when interacting with patients, colleagues, and other professionals.
  13. Evaluate the systems of the body as it relates to the ocular system.
  14. Illustrate the ability to apply critical thinking skills to clinical scenarios.
  15. Select and interpret results of relevant ophthalmic diagnostic technology.
  16. Execute high levels of ethics and professionalism.

Degree Program Overviews

Doctor of Optometry (OD) – Traditional Program

The Traditional Program for the Doctor of Optometry degree at Salus University, Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) follows a legacy that began in 1919, when PCO created a four-year degree program that set the standard for all other institutions of optometry that exists today.

The Traditional Program offers PCO students a cohort curriculum and includes the early clinical experience and extensive externships for which the College is recognized. Other features of this program include small group learning experiences, traditional semester breaks, and a learning environment in which what you learn in the classroom is practiced in the labs and applied to actual patients under the guidance and supervision of faculty.

The Traditional Program can be enhanced with advanced studies and electives courses and/or a residency program. Qualified students gain additional expertise in expanding areas of patient care provided by optometric leadership in the health care system.

Innovation continues to drive PCO’s Traditional Program. This is most recently reflected in exciting renovations recently made to the core curriculum. By anticipating how optometry’s role in the 21st century health care arena will continue to evolve, the curriculum is carefully crafted in a dynamic way to utilize cutting edge educational approaches and incorporate key competencies to provide you with the skills needed for contemporary practice.

Doctor of Optometry (OD) – Accelerated Scholars Program

The Accelerated Scholars Program at Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) is an opportunity for highly motivated and well-qualified applicants to earn a Doctor of Optometry degree designed specifically with them in mind. This program provides students the opportunity to complete all of the same traditional program optometry degree requirements in an accredited 36-month, year-round, campus-based program.

Each year, an entering class begins on July 1, and students enrolled in the Accelerated Scholars Program earn the same credit equivalency as that of students in the Traditional Program.

Drawn from key features of our Traditional Program and consistent with PCO’s reputation for innovation and commitment to excellence, this unique curriculum emphasizes:

  • guided independent learning
  • lecture and laboratory instruction
  • small group learning
  • case-based learning
  • online and web enhanced instruction

International Optometry Programs

Salus University offers a variety of educational programs and initiatives in response to the needs of international students and ophthalmic practitioners. For nearly 20 years, Salus has delivered education around the world, which has resulted in:

  • Improvement of optometry practice standards
  • International professional harmonization via cooperation with colleges and universities
  • Advancement and improvement of optometric legislation
  • Advancement and improvement of optometry’s role as a primary health-care profession

International Optometry Programs offered:

International Advanced Placement OD Degree Program

The Advanced Placement Doctor of Optometry degree (APOD) program offers an additional pathway to the OD degree specifically for interested and qualified international practitioners. Eligible applicants will be given a customized course of study that is designed based upon the applicant’s previous educational and clinical experience as well as their career goals.

Master of Science in Clinical Optometry (MSCO) with an Advanced Studies Certificate Degree Program

Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry offers a Master of Science in Clinical Optometry (MSCO) with an Advanced Studies Certificate Degree program for international ophthalmic practitioners desiring to advance their knowledge and skills in optometric care and to experience specialized training within a specific content area. This degree program features biomedical and visual sciences, clinical sciences, research design and application, and small group learning experiences, delivered in 38 semester hour credits over a 12-month period. This program is delivered in a full-time program of study taking place at Salus University, Elkins Park, PA, USA.

Advanced Studies Program

The Advanced Studies program offers an option for preparing students beyond the entry level, enhancing their knowledge and skills in distinct areas of practice or research, and expanding their breadth and concentration in selected knowledge bases. The PCO graduate with an Advanced Studies program certificate is able to apply these competencies and advanced technologies confidently, at a level of proficiency that surpasses basic entry-level expectations.