Student Handbook 2021

Transfer Credit Because different schools may have different curricula, it can be difficult to transfer into the SUNY doctor of optometry program from another optometry program. In certain circumstances, the SUNY College of Optometry will accept transfer credits in accordance with the registrar, the vice president and dean for academic affairs and the Office of Admissions. Transfer credits will be accepted for joint degree programs, the OD/MBA Certificate program, CSTEP and Advanced Standing.

A student who transfers into the SUNY OD program from another OD program will most likely receive her degree at a later time than if she had remained at her original institution.

To be considered for transfer into the SUNY OD program, the applicant must submit a letter from the dean of her original program stating that she is in good academic standing and is not subject to any adverse academic or disciplinary action. After an applicant is accepted into the OD program, the dean and/or department chairs will review syllabi of the courses for which transfer credit is requested to determine equivalency to courses in the SUNY program. For all College academic programs, the number of credit hours, course content and student performance are among the factors that may be considered in the decision to award or deny transfer credit. Courses offered by any mode of delivery may be considered for transfer of credit.

Transfer credits will be accepted for joint degree programs, the OD/MBA Certificate program, CSTEP and Advanced Standing.

Credit is not provided for prior learning experience including service in the armed forces, paid or unpaid employment, or other demonstrated competency or learning.

Assignment of Credit Hours. The College is on a semester system with a semester defined as approximately sixteen instructional weeks with one week for midterms and finals each. One credit hour is assigned for the following activities over the course of a semester: 50 minutes of lecture and two hours of out-of-class work per week, 2 hour of laboratory and one hour of out-of-class work per week, 3 hours of clinical activity per week. Student Coursework If the student is required to take coursework totaling more than 12 credits, during the first or second half of a semester, the student is responsible for the full semester tuition. If a student attends less than 12 credit hours they will be charged the per-credit-hour fee. Degrees The SUNY College of Optometry confers the Doctor of Optometry (OD), Doctor of Philosophy in Vision Science (PhD) and the Masters of Science in Vision Science (MS) degrees. The conferral of

64