Summary
| Year of study | Credits | Lecture hours | Lab / Demo hours | Screening hours | Clinic hours |
| First Year | 43(45) | 510 | 255(315) | 30 | 0 |
| Second Year | 41.1 | 435 | 270 | 30 | 150 |
| Third Year | 39.16 | 360-390 | 120-180 | 0 | 390 |
| Fourth Year | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1600 |
| Program Totals | 150.26 | 1305 | 645-765 | 60 | 2140 |
| Total Program Hours 4150-4270 | |||||
Sequential
| Team | Opto | Course | Credits |
| 1st Year: Fall | SBS1 | Systemic Biomedical Sciences 1 | 4 |
| APP1 | Applied Pharmacology 1 | 3 | |
| APO1 | Applied Optics 1 | 4 | |
| PCO1 | Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry I | 2 | |
| CCO1 | Cultural Competency in Optometry I | 2 | |
| CCL1 | Cultural Competency Language Lab I (Optional) | (1) | |
| HDA0 | Human Development and Aging | 2 | |
| OAP1 | Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology I | 2.5 | |
| 1st Year: Spring | SBS2 | Systemic Biomedical Sciences 2 | 4 |
| APO2 | Applied Optics 2 | 4 | |
| PCO2 | Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 2 | 2 | |
| VS01 | Vision Screenings | 0.5 | |
| CCO2 | Cultural Competency in Optometry 2 | 2 | |
| CCL2 | Cultural Competency Language Lab 2 (Optional) | (1) | |
| OAP2 | Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 3 | |
| APP2 | Applied Pharmacology 2 | 3 | |
| OCD1 | Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 1 | 1 | |
| 1st Year: Summer | LFC0 | Perception of Light, Form and Color | 4 |
| Team | Opto | Course | Credits |
| 2nd Year: Fall | SBS3 | Systemic Biomedical Sciences 3 | 4 |
| APO3 | Applied Optics 3 | 4 | |
| PCO3 | Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 3 | 5 | |
| VSC1 | Vision Screenings and Clerkship | 1 | |
| MBV0 | Ocular Motility and Binocular Vision | 4 | |
| ODS1 | Ocular Disease 1 | 4 | |
| OCD2 | Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 2 | 0.5 | |
| 2nd Year: Spring | PCO4 | Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 4 | 5 |
| CLK1 | Clinical Clerkship | 1 | |
| CSA0 | Comprehensive Clinic Skills Assessment | 0.1 | |
| PCL0 | Primary Care Contact Lenses | 3 | |
| ODS2 | Ocular Diseases 2 | 4 | |
| DVT1 | Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 1 | 3 | |
| EPH0 | Epidemiology and Public Health | 2 | |
| OCD3 | Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 3 | 0.5 | |
| Team | Opto | Course | Credits |
| 3rd Year: Summer | PC01 | Patient Care 1 | 0.66 |
| OVR0 | Vision Research | 2 | |
| 3rd Year: Fall | ODS3 | Ocular Diseases 3 | 4 |
| DVT2 | Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 2 | 3 | |
| PLV0 | Primary Care Low Vision | 3 | |
| GRO0 | Geriatric Optometry | 1.5 | |
| PDO0 | Pediatric Optometry | 1.5 | |
| EBO0 | Clinical Reasoning and Evidence-Based Optometry | 1 | |
| POE0 | Profession of Optometry and Ethics | 1 | |
| PCO2 | Patient Care 2 | 4 | |
| PBM0 | Publishable Manuscript Submission | 0.5 | |
| 3rd Year: Spring | ACL0 | Advanced Contact Lenses | 2 |
| AVT0 | Advanced Vision Therapy | 2 | |
| ALV0 | Advanced Low Vision | 2 | |
| NOR0 | Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation | 2 | |
| AOD0 | Advanced Ocular Diseases | 2 | |
| AEP0 | Advanced Electrophysiology | 2 | |
| SSV0 | Sports Vision | 2 | |
| PMT0 | Practice Management | 2 | |
| RVS0 | Review Seminar | 1 | |
| PCO3 | Patient Care 3 | 4 | |
| Team | Opto | Course | Credits |
| 4th Year Clinic Program | PC40 | Patient Care, Bayamón Clinic | 2.5 |
| PC41 | In- House Satelite Clinics, Rio Piedras Clinic | 2.5 | |
| PC42 | In- House Satelite Clinics, Caguas Clinic | 2.5 | |
| PC43 | In- House Satelite Clinics, Santurce Clinic | 2.5 | |
| PC44 | In- House Satelite Clinics, Hato Rey Clinic | 2.5 | |
| PC45 | In- House Satelite Clinics, Juana Diaz Clinic | 2.5 | |
| LE01 | Local Externships Sites, Site 1 | 2.5 | |
| LE02 | Local Externships Sites, Site 2 | 2.5 | |
| LE03 | Local Externships Sites, Site 3 | 5 | |
| LE04 | Local Externships Sites, Site 4 | 5 | |
| EA01 | Externships Sites Abroad, Externship Site 1 | 2.5 | |
| EA02 | Externships Sites Abroad, Externship Site 2 | 2.5 | |
| EA03 | Externships Sites Abroad, Externship Site 3 | 5 | |
| EA04 | Externships Sites Abroad, Externship Site 4 | 5 | |
| Total | 150.25 | ||
Integrative teaching is emphasized in both the Academic Department (didactic teaching) and Patient Care Department (clinical instruction) in the new curriculum. The concept is to provide students with a clinical perspective in basic science concepts, thereby developing conceptually based clinical reasoning skills applicable to entry-level practice.
The Academic Department is no longer differentiated into a Basic Science Department and a Clinical Science Department. Hence, courses under this curricular structure are not to be defined as purely basic science courses or clinical science courses. They are assembled and taught in one of the following three manners:
• as conceptually-inclined courses with clinical relevance
• as clinically-inclined courses with conceptual significance
• as a parallel–corresponding courses with equivalent conceptual and clinical relevance
Common denominators among courses in these categories are intended to facilitate the students’ ability to develop clinical reasoning with a conceptual background. Based on this model, emphasis on concept and application varies depending on the course modality.
Presentation of material will be cohesive and synchronized by either integrating or correlating basic and clinical concepts. Conceptually inclined courses and clinically inclined courses require an integrative presentation, whereas parallel-corresponding courses are presented correlatively. Integrative
presentations of conceptually inclined courses involve discussion of clinical associations that are pertinent to the predominant basic science topic taught. In the same manner, clinically inclined courses are taught providing basic science concepts related to the clinical topic
discussed to provide background comprehension.
Parallel-corresponding courses consist of proportioned presentations of health concepts related to primary ocular diseases and ocular diseases secondary to systemic conditions, with their respective clinical applications utilizing a complementary approach. Elective courses also form part of the new curriculum. The purpose of these courses is for the optometric student to further enhance their knowledge in specific areas within optometry
in order to encourage the students to apply for optometric residency programs. All these electives are to be offered in the spring term of the third year and all will be evaluated on a pass/no pass basis. The optometric third-year student must enroll in five elective courses.
| Conceptually-Inclined Course with Clinical Relevance | Opto SBS1-3: Systemic Biomedical Science 1-3 |
| Opto APP1-2: Applied Pharmacology 1-2 | |
| Opto APO1-3: Applied Optics 1-3 | |
| CCO1-2: Cultural Competency in Optometry 1-2 | |
| CCL1-2: Cultural Competency Language Lab. 1-2 | |
| Opto HDA0: Human Development and Aging | |
| Opto OAP1-2: Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology 1-2 | |
| Opto LFC0: Perception of Light, Form, and Color | |
| Opto MBV0: Ocular Motility and Binocular Vision | |
| Opto EPH0: Epidemiology and Public Health | |
| Opto RVS0: Review Seminar |
| Clinically-Inclined Courses with Conceptual Significance | Opto PCO1-4: Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 1-4 |
| Opto OCD1-3: Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 1-3 | |
| Opto PCL0: Primary Care Contact Lenses | |
| Opto DVT1-2: Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 1-2 | |
| Opto OVR0: Vision Research | |
| Opto PLV0: Primary Care Low Vision | |
| Opto GRO0: Geriatric Optometry | |
| Opto PDO0: Pediatric Optometry | |
| Opto EBO0: Clinical Reasoning and Evidence-Based Optometry | |
| Opto POE0: Profession of Optometry and Ethics | |
| Opto PMT0: Practice Management |
| Efective Courses | Opto AVT0: Advanced Vision Therapy |
| Opto ALV0: Advanced Low Vision | |
| Opto NOR0: Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation | |
| Opto AEP0: Advanced Electrophysiology | |
| Opto SSV0: Sports Vision | |
| Opto ACL0: Advanced Contact Lenses | |
| Opto AOD0: Advance Ocular Diseases |
| Parallel-Corresponding Courses with Equivalent Conceptual and Clinical Relevance | Opto ODS1-3: Ocular Diseases 1-3 |
| Opto AOD0: Advanced Ocular Diseases (elective course) |
The Patient Care Department also has changed in the new curricular structure. Students will enroll in Vision Screenings commencing the spring term of the first year. In addition, clinical clerkships have been added to the second year program. Clinical clerkships consist of student observations in third and fourth-year interns clinical rotations to observe intern/patient, doctor/patient, and intern/doctor interactions. As students become more proficient in primary eye care procedure, they will be allowed to have limited participation in the examination.
The fourth-year clinical program consists of a total of 25 credits, to be completed before the graduation date. It will be required of all fourth-year clinic interns to provide primary eye care at the School main clinic and the in-house satellite clinics, as well as providing care in the School’s secondary care clinics. In addition, they must complete part of their clinical education at IAUSO approved external clinic sites. These sites encompass all types of clinic practice scenarios; hospitals, private single and group optometric offices, ophthalmology offices, and optometric practices that provide secondary, specialized optometric service such as vision therapy, low vision, and specialty contact lenses.
In order for any student to be able to register in the third year clinic program, all first and second year coursework must be successfully completed before registration. In order for any student to be able to register in the fourth year clinic program all first, second and third year coursework, including all clinics, must be successfully completed before registration.
| 1st year | Opto VS01: Vision Screenings |
| Opto OCD1: Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 1 |
| 2nd year | Opto VSC1: Vision Screening and Clerkships |
| Opto OCD2: Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 2 | |
| Opto PCL0: Primary Care Contact Lenses | |
| Opto CLK1: Clinical Clerkships | |
| Opto OCD3: Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 3 |
| 3rd year | Opto PC01-PC03: Patient Care 1-3 |
| 4th year | Opto PC40: Bayamon Main Clinic |
| Opto PC41-45: In-House Satellite Clinics (5) | |
| Opto LE01-04: Local Externship Sites | |
| Opto EA01-04: Externship Sites Abroad |
The Primary Eyecare Residency Program emphasizes:
- Advanced post-doctorate training to develop proficiency in primary eye care optometry
- Enhanced experiences within multi-disciplinary clinical settings
- Training in pre-and post-ophthalmic operative care
This one-year residency program will also provide the resident with experience in teaching and research. The Primary Eyecare Residency is sponsored by the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry.
Apply Now!
- Complete application before December 31 of the previous year through the ORMatch. (https://natmatch.com/ormatch/)
- Eligibility Criteria:
- NBEO Part I, II and III completed
- Eligible to be licensed as an optometrist in the United States
- Three recommendation letters: 1 Director and 2 Full-time professors.
- Essay of interest in the program
- Curriculum Vitae
- Be available for interview
- Basic conversational Spanish language skills
Academic-Administrative Calendar
| Summer 2019 | |
| July Term (2020-04) | |
| June 3 - July 11, 2019 | "Disbursement Memo" |
| June | |
| 3 - 28 Monday - Friday | Course selection and payment of tuition* |
| 28 Friday | Last day for partial withdraw with 100% of reimbursement of tuition costs (not including fees) |
| 28 Friday | Last day for total withdraw with 100% of reimbursement of tuition costs (including fees)** |
| July | |
| 1 Monday | First day of classes |
| 2 Tuesday | Last day for partial withdraw with 75% of reimbursement of tuition costs |
| 4 Thursday | Holiday: Independence Day |
| 5 Friday | Late registration and class changes |
| 5 Friday | Cancellation of courses to students who have not paid the registration |
| 5 Friday | Last day for partial withdraw with 50% of reimbursement of tuition costs |
| 11 Thursday | Last day for faculty to enter “AW” in the Electronic Record, if applicable |
| 12 Friday | Last day for Administration to enter changes in the student’s registration report. “Cut-off Date/Enrollment Process” |
| 16 Tuesday | Initial accreditation and reimbursement*** |
| 17-18 Wednesday - Thursday | Check delivery to students and Direct Deposit |
| 25 Thursday | Holiday: Puerto Rico Constitution Day |
| 26 Friday | Last day for partial and total withdrawal with a “W” and to present any reclamation related to the grade reports of the previous session |
| 26 Friday | Last day of classes |
| 29 Monday | Final exams |
| 30 Tuesday | Last day to register grades in the Electronic Record |
* Each unit will use the days they deem necessary.
** For total withdraws use the Institutional Policy and Procedures for Reimbursements and Repayments.
*** From this day forward there will be accreditation every Tuesday and Thursday, and on Fridays, there will be accreditation and reimbursement until June 25, 2019. The student checks will be sent no later than three (3) days after the reimbursement process.
Academic-Administrative Calendar for First Semester of the Academic Year 2019-2020
FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD YEAR STUDENTS
(2020-11, Part of Term 0)
| August 1 - 12, 2019 "Disbursement Memo" | |
| August 2019 | |
| 1 - 2 Thursday - Friday | Registration for 2nd-year and 3rd-year students |
| 2 Friday | Last day for withdrawal from individual courses with a refund of 100% of tuition cost (fees not includes) |
| 2 Friday | Last day for withdrawal from all courses with a refund of 100% of tuition cost (fees includes) |
| 5 Monday | First day of classes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-year students |
| 5 Monday | Last day to pay tuition and fee |
| 6-9 Tuesday - Friday | Late registration and class changes |
| 7 Wednesday | Last day for withdrawal from individual courses with a refund of 75% of tuition cost |
| 9 Friday | Cancellation of courses to students who have not paid the registration |
| 9 Friday | Last day for withdrawal from individual courses with a refund of 50% of tuition cost |
| 12 Monday | Last day for faculty to enter the "AW" to the "InterWeb Rollbook" |
| 13 Tuesday | Last day for Administration to make registration changes "Cut-off Date/Enrollment Process" |
| 15 Thursday | Initial Accreditation of aid to students |
| 16 Friday | Second Accreditation of aid to students and Refund Process* |
| 20-21 Tuesday - Wednesday | Check delivery to students and Direct Deposit |
| September 2019 | |
| 2 Monday | Holiday: Labor Day |
| October 2019 | |
| 14 Monday | Holiday: Columbus' Day |
| 15 Tuesday | Last day for students to apply for the removal of incomplete grades. |
| November 2019 | |
| 1 Friday | Last day for partial withdrawal with "W" |
| 11 Monday | Holiday: Veterans Day |
| 19 Tuesday | Holiday: Discovery of Puerto Rico |
| 25 - 30 Monday - Saturday | Academic recess: Thanksgiving |
| December 2019 | |
| 2 Monday | Last day for complete withdrawal with "W" |
| 2 Monday | Last Day of Classes |
| 3 Tuesday | Study day final examinations |
| 4 Wednesday | Final examination period begins |
| 13 Friday | Final examination period ends |
| 17 Tuesday | Last day to enter grades to the "InterWeb Rollbook" |
| December 21, 2019 to January 6, 2020 - Christmas Recess | |
* After this date~ there will be accreditation every Tuesday and Thursday, and Friday there will be an accreditation and Refund Process until June 25, 2020. Check delivery will be made not later than three (3) days after refund.
Note: Weekly class schedule will include Saturdays and Holidays
Academic-Administrative Calendar for First Semester
Academic Year 2019-2020
FOURTH YEAR STUDENTS
(2020-11, Part of Term 1)
| May 30 until June 14, 2019 "Disbursement Memo" | |
| May 2019 | |
| 31 Friday | Book Advance to eligible student* |
| June 2019 | |
| 2 Sunday | Last day for students to decline the Advances |
| 6 - 7 Thursday - Friday | Registration of fourth-year students |
| 7 Friday | Last day for withdrawal from individual clinic rotations with a refund of 100% of tuition cost (fees not included) |
| 7 Friday | Last day for withdrawal from individual clinic rotations with a refund of 100% of tuition cost (fees included) |
| 10 Monday | Late registration |
| 10 Monday | First day of the Fourth Year Clinic Program for the completion of weeks 1 - 20 |
| 12 Wednesday | Last day for withdrawal from individual clinic rotations with a refund of 75% of tuition cost |
| 12 Wednesday | Cancellation of clinic rotations to students who have not paid the registration |
| 14 Friday | Last day for withdrawal from individual clinic rotations with a refund of 50% of tuition cost |
| 14 Friday | Last day for faculty to enter the AW to the "InterWeb Rollbook" |
| 15 Saturday | Last day for the Administration to make registration changes. Cut-off Date/ENRL Process |
| July 2019 | |
| 2 Tuesday | Initial accreditation of financial aid to students |
| 4 Thursday | Holiday: Independence Day |
| 5 Friday | Second accreditation of aid to students and refund** |
| 9-10 Tuesday - Wednesday | Payment check delivery to students and direct deposit |
| August 2019 | |
| 1 -5 Thursday - Monday | NBEO ABS study days: only for those taking NBEO ABS who present evidence to the fact |
| 6 Tuesday | NBEO ABS only for those taking NBEO ABS who present evidence to the fact |
| September 2019 | |
| 2 Monday | Holiday: Labor Day |
| October 2019 | |
| 14 Monday | Holiday: Columbus Day |
| 15 Tuesday | Last day for students to apply for removal of incomplete grades |
| November 2019 | |
| 11 Monday | Holiday: Veteran's Day|
| 14 Thursday | Last day to complete weeks 1 - 20 of Fourth Year clinic rotations |
* Advances checks delivery to eligible students during the first week of classes
** After this date, there will be accreditation every Tuesday and Thursday, and Friday there will be an accreditation and Refund Process until June 25, 2020. Check delivery will be made not later than three (3) days after refund.
** To be excused from the School duties (clinic the student must present evidence of NBEO exam to the Director of Patient Care and Module Chief at least 1 month before the board exam. Once the student finishes the board examination, he/she must report back to the scheduled duties the day after the last board exam was taken.
| Class Schedules July 2019 (2020-04) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 st | 2 nd * | 3 rd | 1 st | 2 nd * | 3 rd | 1 st | 2 nd * | 3 rd | 1 st | 2 nd * | 3 rd | 1 st | 2 nd * | 3 rd | ||||||
| 7:00 - 7:30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 7:30 - 8:00 | CSAO* | CSAO* | CSAO* | CSAO* | CSAO* | |||||||||||||||
| 8:00 - 8:30 | APO2 Room 2227 | PCO1 Clinic | APO2 Room 2227 | PCO1 Clinic | APO2 Room 2227 | PCO1 Clinic | APO2 Room 2227 | PCO1 Clinic | APO2 Room 2227 | PCO1 Clinic | ||||||||||
| 8:30 - 9:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 9:00 - 9:30 | APP2 Room 228 | APP2 Room 228 | APP2 Room 228 | APP2 Room 228 | APP2 Room 228 | |||||||||||||||
| 9:30 - 10:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 - 10:30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:30 - 11:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 - 11:30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:30 - 12:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| LUNCH | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1:00 - 1:30 | ODS1 Room 232 | PCO1 Clinic | ODS1 Room 232 | PCO1 Clinic | ODS1 Room 232 | PCO1 Clinic | ODS1 Room 232 | PCO1 Clinic | ODS1 Room 232 | PCO1 Clinic | ||||||||||
| 1:30 - 2:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2:00 - 2:30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2:30 - 3:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3:00 - 3:30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3:30 - 4:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4:00 - 4:30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4:30 - 5:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 5:00 - 5:30 | OVR0 Room 227 | OVR0 Room 227 | OVR0 Room 227 | OVR0 Room 227 | OVR0 Room 227 | |||||||||||||||
| 5:30 - 6:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6:00 - 6:30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6:30 - 7:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 7:00 - 7:30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 7:30 - 8:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 8:00 - 8:30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 8:30 - 9:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| * OPTO CSA0 students must register in the course and coordinate appointment directly with Dr. Manuel Conde. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Courses offered by Contract modality: APO1 and DVT1. Students must contact the individual faculty to determine the terms of the courses. | ||||||||||||||||||||