Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Doctor of Optometry
Scholars Program
Scholars Program Information Webinars
To learn more about the Doctor of Optometry Scholars Program, please join us for one of the following webinar information sessions, where you will hear from the Dean of PCO, Dr. Linda Casser, as well as current students, who will provide more insight on the Scholars Program and answer any questions. We hope to see you online!
For dates and to register to attend
The Scholars Program at PCO is an opportunity for highly motivated and well-qualified applicants to earn a Doctor of Optometry degree designed specifically with them in mind. This program provides students the opportunity to complete their optometry degree requirements in an accredited 36-month, year-round, campus-based program.
The inaugural class accepted into the program will begin in June 2014 and graduate in May 2017. Students enrolled in the Scholars Program earn the credit equivalency of students in the traditional program.
Drawn from features of our traditional program and consistent with PCO’s reputation for innovation and commitment to excellence, this unique curriculum emphasizes:
- guided independent learning
- lecture and laboratory instruction
- small group learning
- case-based learning
- online and web enhanced instruction
The program’s structured patient care experiences and small student-to-faculty ratio provides close faculty mentorship, as students develop the critical thinking and clinical competencies necessary for optometric practitioners. To enhance this learning experience, the student cohort will be immersed in patient care at the beginning of the program.
The Scholars Program recognizes and develops individual student learning styles and leadership skills. Academically talented and motivated applicants will be carefully screened and accepted based on qualifications, history of academic performance and career path. If you are highly motivated to complete your studies, have a strong academic record, are disciplined enough for guided independent learning, and want to begin your optometric career as soon as possible, the Scholars Program at PCO might be the best pathway for you.
Interested applicants who would like to be considered for admission into the Scholars Program beginning June 2014 can contact Salus University Office of Admissions at admissions@salus.edu or 215.780.1301.
*Guided Independent Study Definition
Guided independent study (GIS) provides students with the opportunity to work individually and in small groups with faculty mentors.
Each course that uses the GIS model provides materials and reference resources to help the student achieve clearly defined course objectives. As in traditional lecture courses, a GIS course describes the methods of evaluation used to determine the student’s grade.
Guided independent study provides students with opportunities for close one-on-one interactions between other students and their mentors through regularly scheduled meetings. This level of supervision assures that the student has sufficient guidance and is making appropriate progress through the course materials.
In this learning process the student must be able to make a commitment to working on the course goals and to maintain continuous self-motivation.
03/06/2013