ACOE_Self-Study

Student Community Service Hours

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500

Community Service Hours by Students

0 500

2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18

Year

6.9 The program must make available to students information on postgraduate educational programs, such as residencies, graduate degrees and fellowship training opportunities. The College has a long-standing history with residency education, as well as one of the largest programs in the country. SUNY College of Optometry students are exposed to this program through a variety of mechanisms, including meetings with the residency director who discusses various topical areas relating to doing a residency, presentations given as part of the professional curriculum, dissemination of various program announcements and information and interactions with residents who serve as instructors in clinical laboratories and rotations. Descriptions of each of the College’s residency programs can be found at http://www.sunyopt.edu/education/academics/residency-programs or Appendix VI-27 . In recent years, about 40% of graduating SUNY students indicate they plan to enter a residency program either affiliated with SUNY or another school/college of optometry ( Appendix VI-28 or https://www.sunyopt.edu/pdfs/about/factbook2018/OD_Program_Student_Learning_Outcom es/Percent%20planning%20to%20enter%20a%20residency%20program.pdf). In recent years, about 3 to 6 professional students elect to enroll in the combined OD-MS program ( Appendix VI-29 ). These students are provided with information regarding opportunities for continued graduate studies (to pursue a PhD). Optometry students also have the option to obtain an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Optometry Business Management, which is offered jointly with SUNY Empire State College and described at http://www.sunyopt.edu/education/academics/mba-certificate-program ( Appendix VI-30 ). The 18 credits earned in this program are transferable into the SUNY Empire State College MBA program upon acceptance into this program. Since the initiation of this program in 2014, 7 students have been awarded an Advanced Graduate Certificate and 3 an MBA. Both the certificate and MBA programs are open to practicing optometrists.

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