MSCHE Self Study April 2021

vision rehabilitation). The program is in its second year, and other micro ‐ credential concentrations are under consideration. Surgical and Advanced Procedures: The College has developed a new course, scheduled for the end of the third year, that provides 32 hours of didactic and hands ‐ on procedures focused on in ‐ office surgical and advanced procedures. Modification of Third Year Academic Scheduling: Academic Affairs is rolling out a new third ‐ year schedule organized around quarters. The optometry program curriculum will be taught on a semester calendar during the first two academic years, and a quarter calendar during the final two years when students experience the majority of their patient ‐ based clinical experience. This will allow better integration with the internal UEC clinical schedule and be better coordinated with the fourth year UEC and externship clinical calendar. The third ‐ year quarter calendar will also allow more time for electives and provide study time for students to prepare for the March NBEO Part 1 examinations. Virtual Reality, Simulation Training, and Virtual Clinics: The College has invested significantly in the technology to provide virtual reality simulations for human biological sciences and optometric procedures training. The COVID pandemic necessitated remote access learning, and temporary virtual clinics were developed that focused on small group case discussions with a focus on case decision making and the fundamentals of evidence based practice. These sessions were approved as limited temporary replacements for clinical experience by the New York State Department of Education and the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. We found that these virtual clinic sessions successfully engaged students, provided deeper learning opportunities, and helped students hone their case management skills. Virtual clinics, with student presentations, additional readings, and small group facilitated discussion were so valuable we have begun to adopt them in our Integrative Seminar track. COVID ‐ 19 Impact  Academic programs. In March 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency in New York State, and the College stopped all in ‐ person educational activities. The College had already activated its emergency pandemic plan and was prepared. With permission of USDE, NYSED, MSCHE, and ACOE, the remaining lectures, seminars, and small group discussions in all didactic courses were delivered by synchronous interactive remote access; educational laboratories that could not be taught via remote access were suspended; and student clinics were replaced with small group remote access “virtual” clinics. These were comprised of case presentations, directed learning assignments, and small group discussions of case management. Research activities were also suspended except for those projects at risk of losing data and resources.

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