ACOE_Self-Study

Optometric Clinic Integrative Seminar

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The Integrative Seminar Track is designed to help students integrate clinical knowledge and skills with the basic sciences that form the foundation of the profession and clinical care. The seminars included in this track provide small-group learning environments that use clinical case studies to improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In the third year, the emphasis of Integrative Seminar is on developing the ability to think critically and obtaining the skills necessary for independent, life-long learning. Daily chart review and end of day case discussion foster clinical reasoning ability. Interns submit clinical case analyses to the IOR to assess competence of clinical thinking. Electives on a variety of areas and advanced topics are offered in the beginning (summer) and end (spring) of third year. Please see Appendix II-5 or https://www.sunyopt.edu/pdfs/academics/electives_catalog_sp17.pdf for the current catalog of elective courses. Students must complete two electives. Students may participate at no charge in the Summer Flex Program between first and second years. This program includes a clinical skills course (not for credit), where students can practice and improve skills taught in year one and be introduced to skills taught in year two. In addition, a pilot program was initiated in summer 2018 that allows students to reduce their first- and second-year course loads by taking select courses ( Integrated Optics II, Visual Function: Sensory module B, Visual Function: Sensorimotor I ) for credit during the summer. Educational Outcomes As detailed under Standard 1.3, our students consistently perform above the national average on all three parts of the NBEO licensing examination and a high percentage of fourth-year students indicate intent to enter a residency program. 2.2 The program offers an optometric curriculum of at least four academic years. The curriculum [pages 9 – 12 of the Course Catalog ( Appendix II-2 )] consists of 10 terms over a period of four years. There are mandatory summer sessions following the second- and third- professional years. The Advanced Standing Program at SUNY College of Optometry was established in 2015. Its purpose is to allow graduates with degrees and advanced training in healthcare to obtain a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from SUNY College of Optometry. Admission to this program, which entails 2.5 to 3.25 years in residence at SUNY Optometry, requires the completion of substantial training abroad with credit given after careful review by the dean and department chairs of the candidate’s transcripts , and review by specific course IORs. The Advanced Standing program combines independent study and courses within the departments of Biological and Vision Sciences and Clinical Education at SUNY Optometry. There are two basic tracks that may be used depending on the applicant’s background , and these tracks

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