Program Overview Video

Online Brochure

Overview of Program

Pacific University College of Optometry prepares engaged learners to be optometric leaders and vision scientists through a diverse education while advancing professional and ethical eye care, scholarship, and service to the community. PUCO offers a four year doctoral program in optometry. We pride ourselves on our clinically oriented program, focusing on the graduation of a comprehensive practitioner with expertise in general optometry, contact lenses, low vision, vision therapy, sports vision and ocular disease.

The curriculum consists of academic and laboratory experiences integrated with clinical work. Our dedicated faculty members are highly regarded teachers, clinicians, and researchers who bring diverse backgrounds and multifaceted interests to the optometry program. This provides a rich intellectual environment in which students are provided much more than the basic education and tools to become an optometrist. Students also learn the value of having an open and inquisitive mind which serves as the foundation for lifelong learning. This is an essential skill in order to grow with future technology and knowledge so that our graduates provide the highest quality care throughout their career. In addition to clinical training, Pacific demonstrates its commitment to quality optometric research by offering all students an elective research thesis opportunity, encouraging and providing funds for faculty to attend scientific meetings and providing research facilities. The annual Pacific Vision Conference on campus allows practitioners, students, faculty and other researchers the opportunity to exchange findings and information.

We have excellent facilities located on the Pacific campus along with a network of clinical centers in the Portland metro area. Graduates have broad-based clinical skills in all areas of optometry. Preparation for clinical work begins in the first year and increases in complexity as the student progresses. Intensive clinical work in the third year requires the student intern to rotate through a series of Pacific University EyeCare centers. In addition, fourth year students will complete four full-time external preceptorships. The College affiliates with more than 100 preceptors throughout the US and at select locations in Canada, Europe and Asia. Preceptorship rotations are a much anticipated, highly rewarding and exciting part of the program. Students have an opportunity to customize their fourth year program by choosing sites that meet their individual interests and career goals.

Unique to Pacific University are additional graduate degree programs, allowing specialization in various areas of optometry. In conjunction with Pacific's College of Education, the Master of Education (MEd), Visual Function in Learning program is designed to provide specialized study to qualify the optometrist as an education vision consultant. The MEd may be pursued concurrently with the OD degree. Pacific also offers a concurrent MS and PhD Vision Science degree for students with a strong interest in research. In conjunction with Pacific's College of Business, the College of Optometry allows students to complete an MBA concurrently with the OD program.  

Residency programs leading to a certificate in Hospital Optometry, Rehabilitative Optometry, and Hospital/Geriatric Optometry are also available. These are conducted in conjunction with Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Residencies in Cornea & Contact Lenses and Pediatric Optometry are also offered at the Forest Grove campus.