Doctor of Optometry
Mission
To educate today's minds to provide tomorrow's eye, vision and health care.
Program Overview
The Doctor of Optometry is a four-year academic program that prepares graduates to deliver contemporary eye, vision and health care as an integral member of the primary care health team.
During the first year, students are introduced to clinical techniques and the basic biomedical and vision sciences.
The second year emphasizes advanced studies in clinical techniques, biomedical, and visual sciences. Students begin seeing their first patients at Ketchum Health, the university’s eye and health center.
Third-year students have patient care assignments at Ketchum Health and take courses in contact lenses, vision therapy, treatment and management of diseases of the eye, clinical medicine, and public health.
The final year is primarily spent serving patients in the various facilities of the outreach clinical program and within the University operated Ketchum Health Network. The Ketchum Health Network consists of a variety of clinical experiences and services located in the Los Angeles and Orange counties. The mission of the Southern California College of Optometry’s outreach clinical programs is to deliver the highest quality patient care and service and to educate clinicians in the art and science of optometry in diverse patient care delivery environments.
The degree of Doctor of Optometry will be conferred on students who are officially admitted to, and who satisfactorily complete, the four-year professional curriculum in optometry. Satisfactory completion of the SCCO program will academically qualify the graduate to apply for licensure in each of the 50 states and Canada.*
*Each state has its own requirements for licensure. Candidates for licensure should refer to the individual state/province requirements.