International Students Flair in Elkins Park

The Department of International and Continuing Education (DICE) is feeling mixed emotions as its cohort completes its program; sad for the end of this incredible year but excited for the bright future of its recent Masters of Science (MSc) in Clinical Optometry graduates. 

The MSCO degree is hosted by DICE and is a one year program offering international students the opportunity to come to the United States and more specifically on the University’s Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus to receive their Masters in Clinical Optometry. 

The one year program incorporates both academic and clinical components and provides students with valuable additional experience before they apply to optometry positions or doctorate programs. 

This group of students was the sixth cohort to complete the full-time delivery model of this program. “This particular year was interesting because we had students enrolled in both the hybrid and full-time on campus program tracks,” said Melissa Vitek, OD ‘95, FAAO, dean of International and Continuing Education and the director of the MSCO program. “It was challenging for faculty members to adjust to lecturing simultaneously to students in both tracks but the students really enjoyed having the option of a hybrid or in-person approach.”

The hybrid approach allowed for greater accessibility to a wider range of students. Students from this year's cohort are from countries including Nigeria, Somalia, Ghana, Romania, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

“My favorite part of this program was how diverse the students’ backgrounds were,” said Dr. Vitek. “We had students from all over the world and to see them develop relationships with one another was very rewarding.”

DICE values the connections it is able to make with each student both academically and personally. The department works hard to support students on an individual basis and provides them with customized support and solutions based on their situations. “Everyone involved in the program wants you to succeed,” said Melinda Marc, MSc ‘22. “I was so amazed by the flexibility of all of the staff and professors, going out of their way to help us in any way they could.”

“The clinical exposure this program offers gave me such great experience that I don’t think I would have been able to get anywhere else,” said Muhannad Faouri, MSc ‘22. “The program provides you with lots of hands-on experience you are missing from just a bachelor’s degree. It is going to be easier for me as I apply to optometry schools because I have all of this experience.”

Each student has a unique story for how they ended up at Salus University, yet they all bring the same excitement, passion and value to the program. As the MSc6 cohort embarks on their next endeavors, DICE is assured they will all have a positive impact on the communities they will serve. “I was inspired by President Mittleman to become a military optometrist,” said Marc. “I will be starting my Doctor of Optometry program in a month and my plan is to hopefully be accepted into the military as a student and serve as a military optometrist upon completion of my doctorate.”

“I have an optometry job lined up after my completion of the program,” said Waleed Alfawaz MSc ‘22. “After that, I may consider pursuing an MBA.”

Faouri is applying to optometry schools with the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University being his number one choice. “I am going to keep pursuing becoming an OD in the United States,” he said. 

The program left a lasting impact of knowledge, experience and comradery on this year's cohort, and the University is excited to see all they accomplish. The MSc6 cohort is prepped for success as they all venture into their future programs and opportunities.

“If I could choose to do this program all over again I would,” said Marc. “I am excited for the future and to take what I’ve learned in this program to my next opportunity.”