Academic Programs
General Information
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Doctor of Optometry Program
The mission of the Southern California College of Optometry is to provide the highest quality optometric education through excellence in teaching, patient care, research and public service.
The College offers a four year, post-baccalaureate program leading to the degree, Doctor of Optometry (O.D.). The program is 14 quarters in duration.
The first professional year curriculum provides the foundation for clinical practice and emphasizes basic biomedical and vision sciences. The curriculum also introduces students to clinical topics, including practice management, public health, professional ethics, interpersonal communications and pre-clinical methods. Students are scheduled for limited patient care experiences in the on-campus Eye Care Center (ECC).
The second professional year expands the students’ knowledge in the clinical sciences and completes the advanced biomedical science courses, including clinical medicine and pharmacology. Students begin examining their own patients in the ECC in preparation for comprehensive patient care in the third professional year.
As part of the third professional year curriculum students enjoy two days of patient care assignments each week at the ECC under the supervision of clinical faculty. They also complete their didactic requirements with courses in cornea and contact lenses, strabismus and vision therapy, ocular disease management, public health and low vision rehabilitation.
The final year of the optometry program focuses on direct patient care in the various clinics and health centers of the Outreach Clinical Program. One 12-week rotation is spent on campus at the ECC where optometric referral services are emphasized. In order to graduate, students must successfully pass all 65 academic courses, including a research requirement.
Educational Philosophy
Presenting a premier optometry degree program within a four year period presents an ongoing challenge to the faculty. While lectures and laboratories are provided in state-of-the-art facilities, the faculty continues to seek more effective ways to deliver educational content. For the past decade, greater emphasis has been placed on incorporating small group discussions in the curriculum at the expense of some lecture time. The faculty is also committed to enhancing the availability of on-line information to students to supplement the traditional lecturing resources available through course syllabi, class notes and library resources. Faculty closely monitor student performance and are accessible for any additional support that students may need.
Academic Requirements
All students follow the same academic schedule. The program averages 20 credit units for each of the nine academic quarters. Class size is 96 students, with 16 students assigned in laboratory sections with faculty instructors. Seminar discussions with eight students and one faculty instructor are also offered.
An examination schedule is posted prior to the start of each quarter and consists of all mid-quarter and final exams. A reading week, offered prior to finals, provides students with additional preparation time and study opportunities.
Advanced Units
A student may apply for substitution of specific limited courses already earned at another institution for courses in the SCCO curriculum. Students may apply for this by petitioning individual instructors.
Academic Standing
Academic standing of students is indicated by the following grades:
A - Outstanding
B - Above Average
C - Average
D - Below Average, Passing
F - Failing
The grade point system indicates the academic attainment of the student. Under this system, grade points are assigned for each course according to the following scale:
4 grade points for each unit of A
3 grade points for each unit of B
2 grade points for each unit of C
1 grade point for each unit of D
0 grade points for each unit of F
Also used are grades E - Incomplete; W - Withdrawal; P - Pass; AS - Advanced Standing; AUD - Course audited without credit; FD - remediated failing grade.
The faculty subscribe to criterion reference testing which sets a standard for performance levels, rather than having students compete against each other.
National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO)
The NBEO administers examinations several times each year. Passage of all parts is required by most state boards in lieu of the written and/or practical examinations for state optometric licensure. SCCO students are eligible to take the Basic Science (Part I) examination in March of the third professional year; the Clinical Science (Part II) examination in December of their fourth year; and the Clinical Skills (Part III) examination prior to the conclusion of their fourth year.
Faculty
The SCCO faculty is comprised of over 80 full- and part-time members who provide the lecture, laboratory and clinical instruction to optometry students. In addition, there are over 60 adjunct faculty who supervise SCCO students in the College's Outreach Clinical Program.
The faculty is a diverse group of highly qualified educators. They represent graduates from the majority of schools and colleges of optometry in the nation, and most have completed either a clinical residency or postdoctoral degree. The majority of faculty are Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry and members of the American Optometric Association. Many have also achieved recognition in other professional and scientific organizations. This blend of talented and diverse clinical experts provide students with an excellent theoretical background and clinical mentoring.
In addition to the faculty's primary goal of achieving excellence in teaching, faculty are also actively engaged in research and scholarly activities, and regularly participate in professional, educational and scientific organizations at local, state and national levels. Several SCCO faculty serve in prominent state and national leadership roles to influence and facilitate policy and decision making to shape the future of optometric education and the profession.
Degree
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Doctor of Optometry Degree The degree Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) is conferred on students who satisfactorily complete the four-year professional curriculum. Satisfactory completion of the SCCO program qualifies graduates to take state licensing examinations in each of the 50 states. |
Commencement Exercise
Doctor of Optometry degrees are conferred at the College's annual Commencement Exercise, which is held each May at the conclusion of the Spring Quarter.
Graduation with Honors
Latinized honors are accorded at graduation to those students who have excelled scholastically on the following basis:
Summa Cum Laude 3.80 – 4.00
Magna Cum Laude 3.60 – 3.79
Cum Laude 3.40 – 3.59
Transcript Request
Request for release of records for currently enrolled students. Print a copy of the request. Complete it, sign it, and return it to the Student Affairs Office.