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 Doctors of Optometry optometrists who advance health and health care through excellence in discovery, patient care, and professional leadership.
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.
Student Learning Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Students will demonstrate didactic knowledge and skills required to achieve national licensure
Objective 1.1: Demonstrate an understanding of their individual responsibility and self-assessment for academic success
Objective 1.2: Demonstrate understanding in the basic sciences
Objective 1.3: Demonstrate understanding in the clinical sciences
Goal 2: Students will demonstrate proficiency in skills during the Internship phase of the clinical program to successfully enter the Externship program.
Objective 2.1: Demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively complete an eye exam
Objective 2.2: Receive and incorporate into practice constructive clinical feedback
Objective 2.3: Effectively communicate and collaborate with providers, colleagues, staff, and patients during the Internship phase of the program.
Objective 2.4: Demonstrate ethical, professional, and culturally competent skills and behaviors
Objective 2.5: Utilize evidence to conduct a comprehensive analysis of a clinical case
Goal 3: Students will demonstrate skills requisite for practice of independent, contemporary optometric practice.
Objective 3.1: Complete the externship phase of the program with minimum competency in specific optometric specialty areas
Objective 3.2: Exhibit skills for evidence-based research and case-based scholarly work and discussion.
Objective 3.3: Effectively communicate and collaborate with providers, colleagues, staff, and patients during the Externship phase of the program.
Objective 3.4: Provide care for patients from diverse backgrounds with a variety of ocular conditions.
Goal 4: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the the value, knowledge, and skills required for successful interprofessional collaborative care
Objective 4.1: Increase student recognition of the value of interprofessional activities.
Objective 4.2: Demonstrate effective interprofessional communication skills.