MSCHE Self Study April 2021

 Students may participate at no additional charge in the Summer Flex Program between first and second years. o 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. o In addition, students may 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. The curriculum, which is published in the Course Catalog , consists of 10 terms over a period of four years. It is delivered in two 16 ‐ week semesters per year for the first three years. Individual courses may be conducted for a full semester or within an eight ‐ week module. An additional mandatory 10 ‐ week summer session takes place in year three. Year four consists of four 12 ‐ week quarters beginning in the summer after year three. As a free ‐ standing campus of State University of New York, the College has full authority and responsibility for all educational programs. In response to student requests for more time to prepare for Part 1 of the national licensing boards (NBEO), and to better align third ‐ and fourth ‐ year clinics, Academic Affairs and the department chairs developed a plan to move the third year to quarters. The plan was reviewed and approved by Dean’s Council, the Clinical Education Council, and the Curriculum Committee. It will be implemented in AY 2021 ‐ 22. The curriculum features seven tracks ( Curriculum Map ) that extend throughout the four years: Tracks Centered in the Department of Biological and Vision Sciences  Systemic and Ocular Health  Refractive Conditions  Visual Perception and Sensorimotor Control Tracks Centered in the Department of Clinical Education  Clinical Examination  Public/Community Health  Optometric Clinic  Integrative Seminar The foundational clinical experience provided during third ‐ year and fourth ‐ year rotations occurs at the on ‐ campus University Eye Center (UEC). The UEC, which is staffed by faculty members employed by the SUNY College of Optometry, is a comprehensive eye ‐ care facility (New York Article 28 facility) located in the heart of midtown Manhattan on 42 nd Street across from Bryant Park. In 2019 ‐ 20 it was staffed by about 60 optometrists and 12 ophthalmologists along with one nurse, two social workers and two learning specialists. In recent years, the annual number of patient visits has averaged about 70,000, but fell to about 50,000 in 2019 ‐ 2020 related to the COVID ‐ 19 pandemic, which hit New York City particularly hard. Due to the UEC’s location in the nation’s most populous city, as well as the diverse externship site offerings (discussed later), students experience a challenging variety of patient care experiences . In addition to its 42 nd Street location, the College’s Office of Health Care Development manages 11 eye clinics staffed

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