MSCHE Self Study April 2021

Priority 2 : Deliver a dynamic curriculum that engages students and advances contemporary optometry (Strategic Goal 2) The College has continually assessed and modified its curriculum to respond to the changing health care environment and the expanding scope of practice in optometry. The success of the College’s academic degree programs is evident through the outcomes data and, for the OD degree, the students’ performance on national licensing exams. The College’s Residency Program expanded significantly during the 2013 ‐ 2018 Strategic Plan growing to forty ‐ two residency positions. While we have one of the largest residency programs in the nation, we developed new positions to provide additional post ‐ graduate clinical training options. These additional programs will not only meet the future vision care needs of the public, but will also provide advanced training leading to additional career opportunities. Given the strength of the core programs, the College has focused on developing new offerings that allow students to supplement core competencies and acquire additional knowledge and skills. These offerings include; dual degree programs, elective course work, expanded and specialized clinical externships, non ‐ degree research opportunities (T ‐ 35 grant, research assistantships) and the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Optometry Business Management. Most recently, the College introduced a program of Micro ‐ credentials for subspecialties and a combined Residency/Graduate Research Degree (MS or PhD) program. For Priority 2, the following key challenges/opportunities were identified through the self ‐ study process:  Micro ‐ Credentials: Introduced only a year ago, the program has been quite popular, providing students with additional, in ‐ depth education in areas of subspecialization. This program requires continued assessment, modification and further development.  OD Curricular Reform: As the profession evolves so must the curriculum. Changing scope of practice to include minor surgical procedures, redesign of the National Board Exam Part 3 to emphasize communications and clinical decision ‐ making, and the increasing use of simulation, all highlight the need to ensure the timely anticipation of new developments and flexibility in curriculum design for the OD program.  Cultural Competency and Healthcare Disparities: With an increasing awareness of racial and ethnic disparities in the health care, and the importance of social determinants of health, the faculty and the Office of Academic Affairs will review the didactic and clinical curriculum to prepare the students to more effectively, serve diverse communities.  Assessment: The College has an extensive and well ‐ developed process for assessing educational effectiveness. During the Self Study two recommendations to improve the assessment process also emerged: o The timing for soliciting feedback from graduates emerged as a concern. Alumni Surveys have been sent out 5 ‐ 6 years after graduation. More immediate feedback could be beneficial to the review of curricular effectiveness and will be examined by the Office of Institutional Research and Planning.

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