MSCHE Self Study April 2021

Over the past 10 years, 57 students enrolled in the OD ‐ MS combined degree program. Forty students successfully earned OD ‐ MS degrees after 4 years of study, 10 students are still enrolled and working to complete the program, and 7 withdrew before completion. . From 2015 ‐ 20, actively matriculating OD ‐ MS students authored 8 publications and had 37 presentations at annual conferences. Recent Examples of Actions taken as Result of Assessments As indicated in the College’s Assessment Plan , data collected for the combined OD ‐ MS program are analyzed to determine if students are meeting its educational leaning objectives. When data suggest substantive shortcomings, potential solutions are formulated and implemented. While the analysis and formulation of potential solutions may be initiated at various administrative levels level related to the combined OD ‐ MS program, the forums/offices best suited for analysis, planning and implementation are:  Committee on Graduate Program, Policy, Admissions, and Standing  Dean’s Council  Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research An ad hoc committee appointed by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research most recently performed a comprehensive review of the OD ‐ MS curriculum in 2013. The primary outcomes assessed in this review were student attrition and quality of thesis work. The resulting recommendations, which were implemented over the subsequent five years, include the following:  Prior to 2014, prospective OD ‐ MS students applied to both programs prior to their entry into the optometry program. Currently, first year OD students apply to the combined OD ‐ MS program in January of their first year after the fall semester. This allows students to acclimate to the optometry program in the fall and better assess their ability to take on the additional requirements of the OD ‐ MS program. It also allows the admissions committee to assess the performance of applicants in the first semester of the optometry program to ensure that students are performing well and can handle the additional work required of OD ‐ MS students This change has resulted in the attrition rate dropping from 22.3% in 2010 ‐ 2013 to 12.5% in 2014 ‐ 2018. No students have dropped out of the program in 2019 and 2020.  Beginning in 2013, we instituted an annual Research Open House in the fall to educate first ‐ year optometry students about research opportunities, including the OD ‐ MS program. The open house includes talks by graduate faculty and current students followed by a poster session highlighting current research at the College. The Open House is an initial step to familiarize optometry students with the combined OD ‐ MS program.  The required courses were completely restructured and streamlined into four pillar courses that delve into original literature and expand on areas taught in the optometry program. These graduate courses are sequenced with the optometry courses to ensure students have learned the requisite, basic material prior to attending each graduate course.

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