Pennsylvania College of Optometry at

Salus University

History

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRYOPTOMETRY

Pennsylvania College of OptometrySalus University - A Place for Firsts

• 1919 – First non profit, independent college of Optometry• 1923 – First to confer doctor of Optometry degree • 1954 – First independent health profession institution to receive regional

accreditation• 1955 – First college of Optometry to establish the six-year total educational

program• 1978 – First to develop a comprehensive inter-disciplinary clinical facility, The

Eye Institute, for education and patient care• 1988 – First independent college of Optometry to affliate with a medical school,

Hahnemann University (now MCP Hahnemann University School of Medicine)• 1996 – First United States institution to serve as headquarters of the World

Council of Optometry• 2000 – First school or college of Optometry to offer Doctor of Audiology degree• 2007 – First and only U.S. School of Optometry to be recoginized as the leader in

International Education • 2008 – First school of Optometry worldwide to establish its own University –

Salus University

Prof. Dr. A. Gonen,O.D.Prof. Dr. A. Gonen,O.D.Associate Dean and Director Associate Dean and Director ––

International EducationInternational Education

Master of Science in Clinical Optometry

Scandinavia Course #7

PCO PROGRAMS & DEGREES• Bachelor of Science in Optometry (B.Sc.)• Master of Science in Clinical Optometry (M.Sc.)• Master of Science in Low Vision Rehabilitation

(M.Sc.)• Master of Science in Orientation and Mobility

(M.Sc.)• Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)• Doctor of Philosophy in Visual Science (Ph.D) -

in cooperation with Cardiff University, Wales, U.K.

Master of Science (M.Sc) in Clinical Optometry

Pennsylvania College of Optometry at

Salus University

ACCREDITATION

• Departments of Education - State of Pennsylvania

• United States Department of Education• Mid - Atlantic states commission for

higher education• All the relevant authorities in Austria

and the European union.

Program Structure• 2 years part time• Lectures once a month for a long weekend

in the host country• Research and case presentation prepared

in the home country with supervision from Salus University. Research and case presentations are delivered on campus in the U.S. during patient care rotations.

• 2 patient care rotations and lectures in the U.S. Each patient care and lecture rotation requires 16-17 days stay on campus in the U.S. First rotation during the first year, second rotation during the second year.

Dates may change..

Examinations• Two written examinations• At the end of each year• Approximately 120 – 150 multiple choice

questions• Passing grade is 80%• Individual evaluations for patient care,

research, and case presentations.• Remediations – there are two chances to

remediate students who failed examinations.• Remediations examinations are on areas of

weakness only.

Tuition

• $25,000 USD for a minimum of 32 participants

• Payable in two portions. 50% at the beginning of the first year and 50% at the beginning of the second year.

US Accrediation

Singapore

Israel

Germany

Austria

Switzerland

Norway

Germany

United Kingdom

Austria

Impact1. Increased privileges for Optometrists worldwide.2. Supreme court decision in Austria – 2008. The

Austrian Supreme court has ruled that Salus University graduates with a M.Sc in Clinical Optometry have the right to practice Clinical Optometry in its full scope of practice in Austria.

3. Optometry School upgrades worldwide (Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Israel etc.)

4. Increase in Optometrists income and third party payment for Optometric services.

5. Harmonization of the profession throughout Europe and eventually worldwide.

6. Opportunities for Optometrists to advance to doctoral degrees (Ph.D, OD)

PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT LADDERPROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT LADDER

M.Sc in Clinical Optometry

Ph.D.

Advanced Clinical Practice

Hospital Based

PracticeResearch Industry

Consulting

University Level

Teaching

Public Health

B. Sc. (Optometry)

O.D.Therapuetic

Level Practice