Doctor of Optometry (OD)
Mission
To inspire and educate future doctors of optometry to provide collaborative, evidence-based, ethical, and equitable health care that reflects the evolving practice of optometry, and to be leaders in the community and profession.
Program Overview
The Doctor of Optometry is a four-year academic program that prepares graduates to deliver contemporary eye, vision, and health care as an integral member of the primary care health team.
During the first year, students are introduced to clinical techniques and the basic biomedical and vision sciences.
The second year emphasizes advanced studies in clinical techniques, biomedical, and visual sciences. Students begin seeing their first patients at Ketchum Health, the University’s eye and health center.
Third-year students have patient care assignments at Ketchum Health and take courses in contact lenses, vision therapy, treatment and management of diseases of the eye, clinical medicine, and public health.
The final year is primarily spent serving patients in the various facilities of the outreach clinical program and within the University operated Ketchum Health Network. The Ketchum Health Network consists of a variety of clinical experiences and services located in the Los Angeles and Orange counties. The mission of the Southern California College of Optometry’s outreach clinical programs is to deliver the highest quality patient care and service and to educate clinicians in the art and science of optometry in diverse patient care delivery environments.
The degree of Doctor of Optometry will be conferred on students who are officially admitted to, and who satisfactorily complete, the four-year professional curriculum in optometry. Satisfactory completion of the SCCO program will academically qualify the graduate to apply for licensure in each of the 50 states and Canada.1
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Each state/province has its own requirements for licensure. Candidates for licensure should refer to the individual state/province requirements.
Admissions
The Southern California College of Optometry is committed to accepting a diverse group of qualified individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences in accordance with MBKU's Nondiscrimination Statement.
Criteria
Functional Guidelines for Didactic and Clinical Optometric Education
The functional guidelines in optometric education require that the candidate/student possess appropriate abilities in the following areas:
- observation;
- communication;
- sensory and motor coordination;
- intellectual-conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities; and
- behavioral and social attributes.
Each of these areas is described below.
Observation Abilities
The student must be able to acquire a defined level of required knowledge as presented through lectures, laboratories, demonstrations, patient interaction, and self-study. Acquiring this body of information necessitates the functional use of visual, auditory, and somatic sensation enhanced by the functional use of other sensory modalities. Examples of these observational skills in which accurate information needs to be extracted in an efficient manner include:
Visual Abilities
(as they relate to such things as visual acuity, color vision, and binocularity)
- Visualizing and reading information from papers, films, slides, video and computer displays
- Observing optical, anatomic, physiologic, and pharmacologic demonstrations and experiments
- Discriminating microscopic images of tissue and microorganisms
- Observing a patient and noting non-verbal signs
- Discriminating numbers, images, and patterns associated with diagnostic tests and instruments
- Visualizing specific ocular tissues in order to discern three-dimensional relationships, depth, and color changes
Auditory Abilities
- Understanding verbal presentations in lecture, laboratory, and patient settings
- Recognizing and interpreting various sounds associated with laboratory experiments as well as diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
Tactile Abilities
- Palpating the eye and related areas to determine the integrity of the underlying structures
- Palpating and feeling certain cardiovascular pulses
Communication Abilities
The student must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently, and sensitively with patients and their families, peers, staff, instructors, and other members of the health care team. The student must be able to demonstrate established communication skills using traditional and alternative means. Examples of required communications skills include:
- Relating effectively and sensitively to patients, conveying compassion and empathy
- Perceiving verbal and non-verbal communication such as sadness, worry, agitation, and lack of comprehension from patients
- Eliciting information from patients and observing changes in mood and activity
- Communicating quickly, effectively, and efficiently in oral and written English with patients and other members of the health care team
- Reading and legibly recording observations, test results, and management plans accurately
- Completing assignments, patient records, and correspondence accurately and in a timely manner
Sensory and Motor Coordination Abilities
Students must possess the sensory and motor skills necessary to perform an eye examination, including emergency care. In general, this requires sufficient exteroception sense (touch, pain, temperature), proprioceptive sense (position, pressure, movement, stereognosis, and vibratory), and fine motor function (significant coordination and manual dexterity using arms, wrists, hands, and fingers).
Examples of skills required include but are not limited to:
- Instillation of ocular pharmaceutical agents
- Insertion, removal, and manipulation of contact lenses
- Assessment of blood pressure and pulse
- Removal of foreign objects from the cornea
- Simultaneous manipulation of lenses, instruments, and therapeutic agents and devices
- Reasonable facility of movement
- Injections into the eye, lids, or limbs
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
Problem-solving, a most critical skill, is essential for optometric students and must be performed quickly, especially in emergency situations. In order to be an effective problem solver, the student must be able to accurately and efficiently utilize such abilities as measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, judgment, investigation, memory, numerical recognition, and synthesis. Examples of these abilities include being able to:
- Determine appropriate questions to be asked and clinical tests to be performed
- Identify and analyze significant findings from history, examination, and other test data
- Demonstrate good judgment and provide a reasonable assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients
- Retain, recall, and obtain information in an efficient manner
- Identify and communicate the limits of one’s knowledge and skill
Behavioral and Social Attributes
The student must possess the necessary behavioral and social attributes for the study and practice of optometry. Examples of such attributes include:
- Satisfactory emotional health required for full utilization of one’s intellectual ability
- High ethical standards and integrity
- An empathy with patients and concern for their welfare
- Commitment to the optometric profession and its standards
- Effective interpersonal relationships with patients, peers, and instructors
- Professional demeanor
- Effective functioning under varying degrees of stress and workload
- Adaptability to changing environments and uncertainties
- Positive acceptance of suggestions and constructive criticism
It is our experience that a number of individuals with disabilities, as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, are qualified to study and work as health care professionals and scientists with the use of reasonable accommodations. To be qualified for health sciences programs at MBKU those individuals must be able to meet both our academic standards and the technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations.
For further information regarding services and resources for students with disabilities and/or to request accommodations, please visit the Students tab of the portal and/or contact the University Student Affairs (studentaffairs@ketchum.edu).
Prerequisites
Academic requirements for admission to SCCO are based on standards set by the California State Board of Optometry, the accrediting bodies, and the judgment of the Admissions Policy Committee. To be considered as a candidate for admission to the professional OD program, a four-year baccalaureate degree is recommended but not required. Applicants who complete a minimum of 90 semester or 135 quarter credit hours of undergraduate study will qualify for admission. To be eligible to apply, the applicant must be on track to complete the required credit hours or degree by the end of the summer term that precedes fall matriculation.
The following minimum prerequisite courses must be completed with a C- or better at a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada:
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents must submit a certified bank statement showing their ability to pay for the first year of education prior to an I-20 form being issued for immigration purposes.
6 semester credit hours or 9 quarter credit hours:
- General Biology or Zoology (no lab required)
- English Composition or Literature (writing intensive courses are acceptable)
8 semester credit hours or 12 quarter credit hours in each of the following:
- General Physics (one-year sequence, including labs)
- General Chemistry (one-year sequence, including labs)
3 semester credit hours or 4 quarter credit hours in each of the following:
- Calculus (analytic geometry/calculus also acceptable)
- General Microbiology or Bacteriology (including lab)
- Human Anatomy (no lab required)
- Human Physiology (no lab required)
- Organic Chemistry (no lab required)
- Biochemistry (no lab required)
- Psychology
- Statistics
Placement (AP) courses for the prerequisites will be accepted as long as the appropriate number of credit hours was received. These courses must appear on your official college transcript or in a letter from the registrar.
Procedures
The number of applicants for admission to SCCO regularly exceeds the number of available spaces. SCCO, as a regional and national resource, receives applications from nearly every state in the nation as well as from foreign countries.
All first-time applicants, re-applicants, and those who have been previously enrolled in another optometry program must apply through the centralized service OptomCAS at optomcas.org. Applicants must follow the instructions on how to complete the application, submit transcripts, and submit letters of recommendation. In addition, SCCO’s supplemental application is located on the OptomCAS site and may be completed after selecting SCCO as a program to receive the application. The SCCO supplemental application fee is $75 and must be paid directly to SCCO through the MBKU portal. Applicants will receive automatic notification of how to pay the supplemental application fee once the application is received from OptomCAS. The official SCCO application period is July 1 (the first day of the OptomCAS cycle) through April 1. Applicants must submit both application and college transcripts to OptomCAS by April 1.
Standardized test scores are a mandatory application requirement. While the OAT is the preferred standardized test, SCCO accepts the MCAT, DAT, or PCAT. SCCO will also accept the GRE General Test for those applicants with a BCP (biology chemistry physics) GPA of 3.0 or higher (there is no minimum GPA qualification for the OAT, MCAT, DAT, or PCAT). The website for the OAT program is: ada.org/en/oat. OAT and GRE scores are automatically submitted to the OptomCAS application by the testing companies. For standardized scores other than the OAT, it is the applicant’s responsibility to authorize the release of these scores to SCCO. The last test date for all standardized test scores that will be accepted is April 1.
Accepted applicants who are required to submit the following requirements:
- A non-refundable matriculation deposit of $750
- A signed Matriculation Agreement
- A Criminal Background Check
Anyone admitted prior to May 1 has two weeks from the date of acceptance to submit these requirements to hold their seat. By May 15, a second non-refundable $750 deposit is required to secure their seat. Anyone admitted after May 1 has one week to submit the requirements and must submit the full deposit by the deadline. The full $1500 deposit will be credited to the Fall Quarter tuition upon their enrollment. Accepted candidates who have not completed all course prerequisites at the time of application must do so before beginning studies at SCCO. Send a request for more information on the application and interview process to odadmissions@ketchum.edu.
Process
Once applications are received, it is SCCO’s responsibility to select those applicants who are best qualified to make a contribution to the public and profession and who will benefit most from the optometric education program. The decision for admission is based on the applicant’s ability, scholarship, character, and motivation.
Once an application is submitted to OptomCAS, it takes approximately 2-3 weeks for OptomCAS to verify the application and release it to SCCO. Once we receive the application, applicants are given the ability to pay the $75 Supplemental Fee, which initiates the process of evaluation. Though not a mandatory requirement, letters of recommendation will be available to SCCO through OptomCAS. OAT scores are automatically processed and become available from the testing center within three weeks after the exam. The admissions procedure begins with a screening of each applicant’s scholastic qualifications including the college record and the OAT scores. The goal is to select students who are academically capable of completing the Doctor of Optometry program.
Next, the applicant’s personal qualifications are reviewed, since the study and practice of optometry requires great responsibility, maturity, ethics, devotion, intellectual curiosity, and social commitment. Letters of recommendation, essays, and extracurricular activities are evaluated. Candidates will be invited to campus for interviews dependent upon their academic and professional potential credentials. Interviews will begin in the fall and will be completed early in the spring. The interview enables SCCO and the applicant to learn more about each other. Additionally, the interview process endeavors to appraise such personal qualities as responsiveness, warmth, social situation adjustment, the communication of clear and concise ideas, maturity, and career motivation. Should an applicant successfully interview, a provisional acceptance is offered pending the successful completion of a routine criminal background check.
Combined Program
SCCO also offers a combined Doctor of Optometry and Master of Science in Vision Science program. Students admitted into the combined program are chosen from those accepted into the regular four-year Doctor of Optometry program. Students may apply for admission into the two programs concurrently or OD students may apply as late as week 8 of the Fall quarter of their first professional year.
Transfer Policy
The Southern California College of Optometry does not accept transfer students or offer advanced standing under any circumstances. All applicants to our program must apply through OptomCAS and complete the entire four-year program.
Tuition
2023–24 Tuition, Doctor of Optometry Program
| Annual Tuition & Fees | Full-Time Tuition | Class Fee | Mandatory Equipment & Materials | Student Association Fee | Graduation Fee | Total Annual Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2024 | $49,230.00 | $45.00 | NA | $70.00 | $115.00 | $49,460.00 |
| Class of 2025 | $49,230.00 | $45.00 | $2,878.10 | $70.00 | NA | $52,223.10 |
| Class of 2026 | $49,230.00 | $45.00 | $1,422.73 | $70.00 | NA | $50,767.73 |
| Class of 2027 | $49,230.00 | $45.00 | $7,164.84 | $70.00 | NA | $56,509.84 |
| Quarterly Tuition & Fees | Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring | Total Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2024 | $12,307.50 | $12,442.50 | $12,307.50 | $12,422.50 | $49,460.00 |
| Class of 2025 | $13,027.02 | $13,142.02 | $13,027.02 | $13,027.04 | $52,223.10 |
| Class of 2026 | NA | $16,999.25 | $16,884.24 | $16,884.24 | $50,767.73 |
| Class of 2027 | NA | $18,913.28 | $18,798.28 | $18,798.28 | $56,509.84 |
Tuition for returning students enrolled less than full time
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (less than full-time) per credit hour | $864.63 |
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual Parking fee (optional) | $335 |
While the occasion has not previously presented itself, the MBKU Board of Trustees does reserve the right to change tuition and fees or to establish additional fees for special features or services if deemed necessary.
Curriculum
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Quarter | Hours | |
| BVS 511 | Applied Biomedical Science | 3.00 |
| BVS 540 | Optics I | 5.00 |
| BVS 550 | Eye Movements | 4.25 |
| CLE 590A | Optometric Clinical Service IA | 0.25 |
| IPE 406A | DEI in Healthcare | 0.75 |
| IPE 401A | Professional Ethics | 0.75 |
| CLS 560 | Clinical Methods I | 4.50 |
| Hours | 18.5 | |
| Winter Quarter | ||
| BVS 530 | Ocular Anatomy and Physiology I | 5.00 |
| BVS 541 | Optics II | 5.00 |
| BVS 551 | Visual Optics | 4.00 |
| CLE 590B | Optometric Clinical Service IB | 0.25 |
| IPE 403A | Population and Public Health | 2.00 |
| CLS 561 | Clinical Methods II | 4.50 |
| Hours | 20.75 | |
| Spring Quarter | ||
| BVS 513 | Neurophysiology | 4.50 |
| BVS 515 | Pharmacology I | 3.00 |
| BVS 531 | Ocular Anatomy and Physiology II | 3.00 |
| BVS 542 | Ophthalmic Optics I | 3.00 |
| BVS 552 | Visual Psychophysics | 4.25 |
| CLE 590C | Optometric Clinical Service IC | 0.25 |
| CLS 660A | Ocular Health Procedures IA | 3 |
| Hours | 21 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Quarter | ||
| CLS 664A | Ocular Disease Diagnosis & Mgmt IA | 2.00 |
| BVS 640 | Ophthalmic Optics II | 3.00 |
| BVS 650 | Sensory Vision | 4.25 |
| CLE 690 | Optometric Clinical Service III | 0.75 |
| CLS 660B | Ocular Health Procedures IB | 3.00 |
| CLS 670 | Cornea and Contact Lenses I | 4.00 |
| BVS 616 | Pharmacology II | 2.00 |
| CLS 661 | Case Analysis and Prescribing I | 2.00 |
| Hours | 21 | |
| Winter Quarter | ||
| CLS 671 | Cornea and Contact Lenses II | 3.50 |
| IPE 402A | Evidence-Based Practice | 2.00 |
| CLE 691 | Optometric Clinical Service IV | 1.00 |
| CLS 664B | Ocular Disease Diagnosis & Mgmt IB | 2.00 |
| BVS 617 | Pharmacology III | 2.00 |
| CLS 663 | Ocular Health Procedures II | 3.50 |
| CLS 662 | Case Analysis and Prescribing II | 2.00 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Quarter | ||
| CLS 672 | Mgmt Non-Strab Binocular Vision Cnd | 3.50 |
| CLE 692 | Optometric Clinical Service V | 1.00 |
| CLS 760 | Pediatric Optometry | 2.00 |
| CLS 762B | Ocular Disease Diag & Mgmt IIB | 2.00 |
| CLS 770 | Cornea and Contact Lenses III | 3.25 |
| BVS 618 | Pharmacology IV | 2.00 |
| CLS 665 | Case Analysis and Prescribing III | 2.00 |
| Hours | 15.75 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Summer Quarter | ||
| CLE 790 | Optometric Clinical Service VI | 3.50 |
| CLS 771 | Vision, Perception and Learning | 4.00 |
| CLS 762A | Ocular Disease Diag & Mgmt IIA | 3.00 |
| CLS 720 | Clinical Medicine I | 4.00 |
| CLS 783 | Business & Career Management I | 2.00 |
| Hours | 16.5 | |
| Fall Quarter | ||
| CLE 791 | Optometric Clinical Service VII | 3.50 |
| CLS 763A | Ocular Disease Diag & Mgmt IIIA | 2.00 |
| CLS 772 | Strabismus & Amblyopia Diag | 4.50 |
| CLS 721 | Clinical Medicine II | 4.00 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Winter Quarter | ||
| CLE 792 | Optometric Clinical Service VIII | 3.50 |
| CLS 763B | Ocular Disease Dia & Mgmt IIIB | 2.00 |
| CLS 722 | Ophtha Lasers, Injection & Med Dia | 2.50 |
| CLS 774 | Low Vision Rehabilitation | 4.00 |
| CLS 773 | Strabismus & Amblyopia Mgmt | 3.00 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Quarter | ||
| CLE 793 | Optometric Clinical Service IX | 3.50 |
| IPE 404A | Interprofessional Case Conferences | 0.75 |
| CLS 765 | Ocular Diesease Case Management | 1.00 |
| CLS 723 | Ophthalmic Surgery | 2.50 |
| CLS 775 | Cornea and Contact Lenses IV | 1.50 |
| CLS 782 | Health Promotion | 1.00 |
| CLS 784 | Business & Career Management II | 1.50 |
| Hours | 11.75 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| All Quarters | ||
| CLS 885A & CLS 885B & CLS 885C & CLS 885D |
Business & Career Management IIIA and Business & Career Management IIIB and Business & Career Management IIIC and Businees & Career Management IIID |
2 |
| CLE 890 | Clinical Seminars | 4.00 |
| CLE 891 | Optometric Clinical Service X | 12.00 |
| CLE 892 | Outreach Clinical Service I | 12.00 |
| CLE 893 | Outreach Clinical Service II | 12.00 |
| CLE 894 | Outreach Clinical Service III | 12.00 |
| Hours | 54 | |
| Total Hours | 224.25 | |
Graduation Requirements
A student will be recommended for the degree of Doctor of Optometry, provided the candidate:
- Has completed all prescribed academic requirements;
- Is not on academic probation, has a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher, has no outstanding grade which is incomplete, and has a passing grade for all clinical rotations;
- Settle all financial accounts with the University.
The degree will not be conferred and the diploma will not be issued until all graduation requirements are met.
If a student has not met all graduation requirements, the student may be eligible to walk through and participate in the graduation ceremony with their class, if approved by the Dean.
Note on licensure: Meeting the graduation requirements for the OD degree at the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University does not guarantee eligibility for state licensure. Some states have specialized curricular requirements for licensure, and students are advised to check with the Optometry Board in states of possible residency for licensure requirements.
The Southern California College of Optometry reserves the right to make changes to the academic requirements, teaching modality, and required schedule at any point to ensure that all competencies and objectives are being met by optometry students.
Commencement Awards
Latinized honors are accorded to those students who have excelled scholastically on the following basis:
| Latin Honor | GPA |
|---|---|
| Summa Cum Laude | 3.80 - 4.00 |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.60 - 3.79 |
| Cum Laude | 3.40 - 3.59 |
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BVS 511 | Applied Biomedical Science | 3.00 |
| BVS 513 | Neurophysiology | 4.50 |
| BVS 515 | Pharmacology I | 3.00 |
| BVS 530 | Ocular Anatomy and Physiology I | 5.00 |
| BVS 531 | Ocular Anatomy and Physiology II | 3.00 |
| BVS 540 | Optics I | 5.00 |
| BVS 541 | Optics II | 5.00 |
| BVS 542 | Ophthalmic Optics I | 3.00 |
| BVS 550 | Eye Movements | 4.25 |
| BVS 551 | Visual Optics | 4.00 |
| BVS 552 | Visual Psychophysics | 4.25 |
| BVS 616 & BVS 617 & BVS 618 | Pharmacology II and Pharmacology III and Pharmacology IV | 6 |
| BVS 640 | Ophthalmic Optics II | 3.00 |
| BVS 650 | Sensory Vision | 4.25 |
| CLE 590A & CLE 590B & CLE 590C | Optometric Clinical Service IA and Optometric Clinical Service IB and Optometric Clinical Service IC | .75 |
| CLE 690 | Optometric Clinical Service III | 0.75 |
| CLE 691 | Optometric Clinical Service IV | 1.00 |
| CLE 692 | Optometric Clinical Service V | 1.00 |
| CLE 790 | Optometric Clinical Service VI | 3.50 |
| CLE 791 | Optometric Clinical Service VII | 3.50 |
| CLE 792 | Optometric Clinical Service VIII | 3.50 |
| CLE 793 | Optometric Clinical Service IX | 3.50 |
| CLE 890 | Clinical Seminars | 4.00 |
| CLE 891 | Optometric Clinical Service X | 12.00 |
| CLE 892 | Outreach Clinical Service I | 12.00 |
| CLE 893 | Outreach Clinical Service II | 12.00 |
| CLE 894 | Outreach Clinical Service III 1 | 12.00 |
| CLS 560 | Clinical Methods I | 4.50 |
| CLS 561 | Clinical Methods II | 4.50 |
| CLS 660A & CLS 660B | Ocular Health Procedures IA and Ocular Health Procedures IB | 6 |
| CLS 661 & CLS 662 & CLS 665 | Case Analysis and Prescribing I and Case Analysis and Prescribing II and Case Analysis and Prescribing III | 6 |
| CLS 663 | Ocular Health Procedures II | 3.50 |
| CLS 663Z | Ocular Health Procedures IIZ | 1.50 |
| CLS 664A & CLS 664B | Ocular Disease Diagnosis & Mgmt IA and Ocular Disease Diagnosis & Mgmt IB | 4 |
| CLS 670 | Cornea and Contact Lenses I | 4.00 |
| CLS 671 | Cornea and Contact Lenses II | 3.50 |
| CLS 672 | Mgmt Non-Strab Binocular Vision Cnd | 3.50 |
| CLS 720 & CLS 721 | Clinical Medicine I and Clinical Medicine II | 8 |
| CLS 722 | Ophtha Lasers, Injection & Med Dia | 2.50 |
| CLS 723 | Ophthalmic Surgery | 2.50 |
| CLS 760 | Pediatric Optometry | 2.00 |
| CLS 762A | Ocular Disease Diag & Mgmt IIA | 3.00 |
| CLS 762B | Ocular Disease Diag & Mgmt IIB | 2.00 |
| CLS 763A | Ocular Disease Diag & Mgmt IIIA | 2.00 |
| CLS 763B | Ocular Disease Dia & Mgmt IIIB | 2.00 |
| CLS 765 | Ocular Diesease Case Management | 1.00 |
| CLS 770 | Cornea and Contact Lenses III | 3.25 |
| CLS 771 | Vision, Perception and Learning | 4.00 |
| CLS 772 | Strabismus & Amblyopia Diag | 4.50 |
| CLS 773 | Strabismus & Amblyopia Mgmt | 3.00 |
| CLS 774 | Low Vision Rehabilitation | 4.00 |
| CLS 775 | Cornea and Contact Lenses IV | 1.50 |
| CLS 782 | Health Promotion | 1.00 |
| CLS 783 & CLS 784 | Business & Career Management I and Business & Career Management II | 3.5 |
| CLS 885A & CLS 885B & CLS 885C & CLS 885D | Business & Career Management IIIA and Business & Career Management IIIB and Business & Career Management IIIC and Businees & Career Management IIID | 2 |
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The fourth professional year is designed to promote continued development of the student’s emerging clinical problem-solving abilities. The focus is on higher order cognitive thought processing such as analysis and evaluation, rather than basic levels of knowledge and comprehension. The instruction material is designed to advance the student’s content knowledge beyond the first three years through challenging patient care problems that highlight or emphasize differential diagnosis, management decisions, referral decisions and follow-up, as well as address newer techniques and procedures for diagnosis and management. The outreach clinical programs provide students with comprehensive clinical education in the diagnosis, management and treatment of conditions of the visual system. Patient groups served are diverse in age, race, culture, socio-economic level and health delivery systems. Patient care is provided in various settings including optometric and co-management centers; Department of Veterans Affairs centers; HMOs; military; public health and USPH Indian Health clinics; medical ambulatory clinics; community health centers; and general and specialty hospitals. Under direct supervision of licensed optometric faculty, students provide full-scope optometric care in specialty clinics. Interdisciplinary team training in vision rehabilitation and primary care educates students for the role of optometrists as vital members of the health care team. Advanced clinical instrumentation and both diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents are utilized, in all clinical care settings, under the direct supervision of licensed optometric faculty and/or board-certified ophthalmologists.
To offer fourth-year students a wide variety of clinical educational experiences, SCCO has approximately 40 primary and 65 alternate outreach clinical program affiliations with various military, public health, Department of Veterans Affairs, low vision rehabilitation, developmental/pediatric clinics, co-management clinics, inter-professional clinics and private practices. The clinics are located throughout the U.S., with the majority located west of the Mississippi River, as well as international sites located in Japan. These clinical programs are operated in conjunction with a number of independent, local, state and federal agencies.
Students select their outreach assignments at the beginning of the third professional year, which allows for a full year of planning.
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BVS 801 | Nutrition and Preventative Health | 1.00 |
| CLS 801 | Adv Diag & Management of Dry Eye | 2.00 |
| CLS 802 | I and A of Imaging Technology | 2.00 |
| CLS 804 | Applied Ocular Genetics | 1.50 |
| CLS 805 | Effect Learning Strategies Optom | 1 |
Scholarships and Awards
Each year more than 150 scholarships and awards totaling more than $500,000 are given to qualified optometry students at MBKU. These awards are made possible by philanthropic donors who made gifts of private support to SCCO.
Fall scholarships and spring awards recognize and honor students who have achieved excellence in academics, clinical skills, research, leadership, and service or have financial need. Recipients of scholarships are determined by the SCCO Scholarship Committee, SCCO clinical faculty, and Dean of SCCO under the direction of the SCCO Student Advising and Programming Specialist. All students, entering any of the four professional years of study, may apply for Fall scholarships based on criteria given by the donors. All monetary scholarships are directly applied to the recipient’s financial aid package for education expenses at the university.
Spring awards are primarily given to graduating fourth-year students at SCCO. Under the direction of the SCCO Student Advising and Programming Specialist and the SCCO Scholarship Committee, the clinical faculty in each discipline recommend recipients on the basis of merit in their clinical area based on criteria as set forth by the award donor. These awards recognize the noteworthy achievements made by optometric interns.
Descriptions of individual scholarships and awards may be found by accessing the Tuition & Financial Aid page on the SCCO Admissions website by clicking this link: SCCO Scholarship Programs.
Residency Programs
The mission of the Department of Residency Programs of SCCO at MBKU is to establish, promote and support postgraduate residency training. Residency programs are uniquely designed to advance intellectual knowledge and enhance the clinical expertise of residents through excellence in patient care, scholarly activity, and research.
SCCO at MBKU has residency programs that cover the areas of Cornea & Contact Lenses, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Neuro-Optometry, Ocular Disease, Primary Care, and Pediatric Optometry/Vision Therapy. There are currently 58 residency positions within 26 programs in the areas of health management organization, Indian Health Service, multi-disciplinary settings, private-practice settings, on-campus programs, and Veteran’s Affairs. For detailed information regarding residency programs, please visit our website: ketchum.edu/optometry/academics/residency-programs. These one-year accredited postdoctoral programs are focused on training our residents to attain advanced competencies through direct patient care with exceptional clinical management experiences, teaching opportunities, and didactic/scholarship activities. All programs are structured in accordance with the guidelines of the AOA’s Accreditation Council on Optometric Education and are fully accredited or provisionally accredited during the inaugural year. All residents receive a stipend, liability coverage, and various benefits depending on the specific program.