Diploma in Four-Year OD (Doctor of Optometry) Program

The four year Doctor of Optometry Program is our core academic program. It consists of three years of study in the classroom, clinic, laboratory, and seminar settings, followed by an all-clinical fourth year. Clinical experiences provide students with exposure to diverse patient populations, state of the art instrumentation, and supervisory faculty committed to exemplary patient care and education. Throughout our programs, the preceptorship method is used with licensed and experienced faculty serving as mentors for our students.

The College’s four-year Doctor of Optometry degree program provides students with a strong foundation in the visual, biomedical, and clinical sciences, which are then integrated through a rich and diverse patient care experience. This program prepares students for a career as a clinician, researcher, or educator. Our unique elective program provides the opportunity for advanced education in an area of personal interest with options for pursuing postgraduate education.

The four-year program curriculum is organized and delivered through four academic departments: Vision Sciences, Biomedical Sciences and Disease, Primary Care, and Specialty and Advanced Care, as well as the departments of Clinical Education and Graduate Studies. Each course is developed as one step in a sequence designed to facilitate each student’s mastery of the knowledge and skills required of an optometric professional capable of managing the human eye and visual system conditions.

Students enrolled in the Four-Year OD program can apply in their first year to enter the dual degree program to earn a master of science in vision science degree simultaneously with their OD degree.

Students enrolled in the Four-Year OD program can apply in their first year to enter a dual degree program to earn a PhD in addition to an OD degree. The seven-year program is available through a partnership with Boston University.

A Doctor of Optometry graduate from the New England College of Optometry must be knowledgeable in ophthalmic and systemic care and continuously commit to improving knowledge and abilities. The graduate will be skilful in techniques and new technologies, skilful in problem-solving, and professional, ethical and compassionate behaviour and standards. The graduate will be able to address community health issues and thrive in a changing health care environment.