Curriculum for the Doctor Of Optometry Degree

Curriculum for the Doctor Of Optometry Degree

Year of Study Credits Lecture Hours Laboratory Hours Conference Laboratory Screening Hours Clinic Hours
First Year 44.5 450 255 82.5 0 40
Second Year 41.10 (43.10) 465 228 (228) 22.5 60 20
Third Year 38.66 277.5 60 142.5 0 390
Fourth Year 26 15 0 0 0 1600
Program Totals 150.26 (152.26) 1,207.5 543 (603) 247.5 60 2,050
Total Program Hours 4,108-4,168
Term Opto Course Credits
1st Year: Fall BMS1 Systemic Biomedical Sciences 1 4
OPT1 Applied Optics 1 4
IOA1 Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology 1 2.5
GCP0 General Concepts in Pharmacology 1
PPO1 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 1 1
PPL1 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 1 Laboratory 1
EPH0 Epidemiology and Public Health 2
POE0 Profession of Optometry and Ethics (1)
DCC1 Human Development and Cultural Competency in Optometry 1 2
CSC1 Conversational Spanish Communication Laboratory 1 (1)
1st Year: Spring BMS2 Systemic Biomedical Sciences 2 4
OPT2 Applied Optics 2 4
IOA2 Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology 2 3
APH1 Applied Pharmacology 1 3
PPO2 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 2 1
CCL2 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 2 Laboratory 1
DCC2 Human Development and Cultural Competency in Optometry 2 2
CSC2 Conversational Spanish Communication Laboratory 2 (1)
CLK0 Clinical Clerkships .50
1st Year: Summer (June) PFCO Perception of Light, Form and Color 3.5
OMO0 Ocular Motility 2
Term Opto Course Credits
2nd Year: Fall BMS3 Systemic Biomedical Sciences 3 4
OPT3 Applied Optics 3 4
BVP0 Binocular Vision and Perception 3
DIS1 Ocular Diseases 1 3
APH2 Applied Pharmacology 2 3
PPO3 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 3 2
PPL3 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 3 Laboratory 1.50
ICD1 Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 1 0.50
CSC3 Conversational Spanish Communication Laboratory 3 (Elective) (1)
SCR0 Vision Screening 0.50
2nd Year: Spring CMO0 Clinical Medicine Optometry 1.50
OPT4 Applied Optics 4 1.50
PCL0 Primary Care Contact Lenses 3
DVT1 Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 1 3
DIS2 Ocular Diseases 2 3
GDT0 Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment 2
PP04 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 4 3
PPL4 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 4 Laboratory 1.50
ICD2 Integrative Optometric Case Discussion 2 .50
CSC4 Conversational Spanish Communication Laboratory 4 (Elective) (1)
SCK0 Vision Screening and Clerkship 0.50
CSA0 Comprehensive Clinic Skills Assessment 0.10
Term Opto Course Credits
3rd Year: Summer (July) VIR0 Optometric Research 2
 
  PCO1 Patient Care 1 0.66
 
3rd Year: Fall CLA0 Advance Contact Lenses 1.50
 
  DVT2 Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 2 3
 
DIS3 Ocular Diseases 3 2
 
PLV0 Primary Care Low Vision 3
 
NOP0 Nutrition in Optometry 1
 
ICD3 Integrative Optometric Case Discussion 3 1
 
DOP0 Diversity in Optometry 2
 
PCO2 Patient Care 2 4
 
3rd Year: Spring AVT0 Advanced Vision Therapy (Elective) 1.50
 
  ALV0 Advanced Low Vision (Elective) 1.50
 
NOR0 Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation (Elective) 1.50
 
AEP0 Advanced Electrophysiology (Elective) 1.50
 
SSV0 Sports Vision (Elective) 1.50
 
PMN0 Publishable Manuscript Submission (Elective) 1.50
 
COD0 Complex Case Discussion (Elective) 1.50
 
ODM0 Ocular Disorders Management 2
 
ILS0 Injections, Lasers and Ocular Surgical Care 2
 
EBO0 Clinical Reasoning and Evidence-Based Optometry 1
 
RSM0 Review Seminar 0.50
 
PRM0 Practice Management 1.50
 
PCO3 Patient Care 3 4
 
Term Opto Course Credits
4th Year Clinic Program OGR1 Optometric Clinic Grand Rounds 1 – First Semester 0.50
OGR2 Optometric Clinic Grand Rounds 2 – Second Semester 0.50
PC40 Primary Eye Care Services and Specialty Clinics 2.5
PC41 COSSMA Cidra Clinic 2.5
PC42 Caguas Clinic 2.5
PC43 Santurce Clinic 2.5
PC44 Hato Rey Clinic 2.5
PC45 Juana Diaz Clinic 2.5
PC46 Bayamón Mobile Unit 2.5
PC47 San Juan Mobile Unit 2.5
PC48 Extended Bayamón Clinic: 8 Weeks 5
PC49 Extended Bayamón Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC50 Extended COSSMA Cidra Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC51 Extended Caguas Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC52 Extended Santurce Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC53 Extended Hato Rey Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC54 Extended Juana Diaz Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
LE01 Local Externship Site 1 2.5
LE02 Local Externship Site 2 2.5
LE03 Local Externship Site 3 5
LE04 Local Externship Site 4 5
EA01 Abroad Externship Site 1 2.5
EA02 Abroad Externship Site 2 2.5
EA03 Abroad Externship Site 3 5
EA04 Abroad Externship Site 4 5
Program Total Credits 150.26

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 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.

Residency Program

Primary Eye Care Residency – IAUPR

Mission

The program expects to provide post-graduate training so that the resident can develop proficiency in areas of primary care optometry, gain experience with multidisciplinary settings, and obtain training in pre-and-post -ophthalmic operative care. The program also will provide the resident with experience in teaching and scholarly activities, so that he or she may further pursue a career in education and research.

Program Goals

  • Provide post-graduate training, which develops the proficiency necessary to become a full-scope primary care practitioner
  • Develop quality clinical educators and clinical researcher

Program Description

  • One-year residency program (beginning by the third week of August)
  • A yearly stipend of $40,000 with benefits
  • Health Insurance benefits from IAUPR
  • Professional Liability Protection from IAUPR
  • Vacations as stipulated by the Academic Calendar of the IAUPRSO
  • Sick leave: According to the Faculty Manual, page 38, section 4.6.1.1 Full time faculty accumulates sick days of 1-1/2 days per month, that is 18 days per year. Sick absences of greater than two days requires a note from a physician.
  • No tuition or fees
  • Position: One
  • Workload: 80% (32 hours per week) in Clinical, 20% (8 hours per week) in Didactical
  • Accreditation status: Accredited by ACOE
  • Bilingual School’s Setting with Spanish’s speaking patients

Residency Experience

  • Scholarly and teaching experience
  • Clinical experience Worksites:
    • IAUPR’s Clinic Sites (Own transportation strongly recommended)
    • External Rotations at ophthalmology sites
    • Specialty areas rotation in Contact lenses, Pediatrics, Visual Training, Low Vision, Electro-diagnostics, Prothesis
  • Library and research resources
  • Administration time

Requirements for Completion:

  • The resident will demonstrate the necessary proficiency to become a full scope primary eye care practitioner through six outcomes.
  • The resident will demonstrate knowledge and skills as an educator and clinical researcher through three outcomes.
  • Optometry License in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
  • Completion of Part I, II, III, and TMOD of National Boards Examination in Optometry (NBEO).
  • Successful Clinical & Didactic evaluations.
  • Publishable quality paper.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Applicant must have successfully completed parts I, II, III, and TMOD of National Boards of Examiners in Optometry as a requisite for admission to the residency program.
  2. Candidates must be eligible to be licensed as an optometrist in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
  3. Recommendation letters: Three (3) are requested. One should be from the clinical director of graduating institution or chief academic officer. Two others from full-time faculty members have been involved with the applicant’s education.
  4. A brief essay stating reasons for applying to a program that is addressed to primary eye care is requested.
  5. Applicant should submit Curriculum Vitae and be available for interview.
  6. Knowledge of basic conversational Spanish language is required to communicate with the majority of the patient population although the English language is the official written language.
  7. Candidates must earn the degree of Doctor of Optometry from a school or college of optometry accredited by the Council on Optometric Education prior to the starting date of the residency program.
  8. IAUPR affirms that all candidates are evaluated without regard to sex, race, color, creed, origin, or disabilities.

Application Process

  1. Candidates must complete the application through the ORMatch. Deadline: February 1.
    For more INFO, refer to the ORMatch Webpage.
  2. All serious applicants are encouraged to arrange a site visit.

Contact information

For additional information contact

Coordinator name: Ariette Acevedo
Telephone: 787-765-1915
Fax: 787-756-7351
Email: aacevedo@opto.inter.edu
Accreditation Council on Optometric
Education (ACOE)

243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Suite 301, St. Louis,
MO 63141 | 1-800-365-2219
Email: accredit@theacoe.org

Academic Calendar

Inter American University of Puerto Rico

Academic-Administrative Calendar
Summer 2025 – July Session (2026-04)

Period Academic & Fiscal Events
June 2 to July 3, 2025 “Disbursement Memo”
Course selection and tuition payment *
June 30, Monday Last day for partial withdrawal with 100% refund of tuition cost (excluding fees)
June 30, Monday Last day for total withdrawal with 100% refund of total tuition cost (including fees)**
July 1, Tuesday Classes begin
July 1-2, Tue-Wed Late registration period and class changes
July 2, Wednesday Course cancellation for students who have not paid tuition
July 2, Wednesday Last day for partial withdrawal with 75% refund of tuition fees
July 3, Thursday Last day for partial withdrawal with 50% refund of tuition fees
July 3, Thursday Last day for professors to enter “AW” in the electronic registry, if applicable
July 4, Friday Holiday: Independence Day of the United States of America
July 5, Saturday Last day for Management to register student enrollment changes. “Cut-off Date/Enrollment Process”
July 8, Tuesday Accreditation of financial aid for students and disbursement***
July 9-10, Wed-Thu Student check distribution and direct deposit
July 25, Friday Holiday: Constitution Day of Puerto Rico
July 28, Monday Holiday: Birthday of José Celso Barbosa
July 29, Tuesday Last day for partial or total withdrawal with “W” grade annotation and to submit any claims related to prior session grade reports
July 29, Tuesday Last day of classes
July 30, Wednesday Final exams
July 31, Thursday Last day to enter grades into the Electronic Registry

* Each unit will use the days it deems necessary.
** For total withdrawals, the Institutional Refund and Repayment Policy and Procedure applies.
*** From this date, there will be accreditation every Tuesday and Thursday, and disbursement every Friday until June 19, 2026. Student check distribution will be no later than three (3) days after the disbursement process.

Original publication date: June 2, 2025

Class Schedules

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
7:30 – 8:00 PCL0 229 Dr. M. Matos PCL0 229 Dr. M. Matos PCL0 229 Dr. M. Matos PCL0 229 Dr. M. Matos PCL0 229 Dr. M. Matos
8:00 – 8:30
8:30 – 9:00 PFC0 227 Dr. H. Santiago PFC0 227 Dr. H. Santiago PFC0 227 Dr. H. Santiago PFC0 227 Dr. H. Santiago PFC0 227 Dr. H. Santiago
9:00 – 9:30
9:30 – 10:00
10:00 – 10:30
10:30 – 11:00
11:00 – 11:30
11:30 – 12:00
12:00 – 12:30
12:30 – 1:00
1:00 – 1:30 APH1 227 Dr. De Jesús APH1 227 Dr. De Jesús APH1 227 Dr. De Jesús APH1 227 Dr. De Jesús APH1 227 Dr. De Jesús
1:30 – 2:00
2:00 – 2:30
2:30 – 3:00
3:00 – 3:30
3:30 – 4:00
4:00 – 4:30 OMO0 227 Dr. De Gracia Dr. Vega OMO0 227 Dr. De Gracia Dr. Vega OMO0 227 Dr. De Gracia Dr. Vega OMO0 227 Dr. De Gracia Dr. Vega OMO0 227 Dr. De Gracia Dr. Vega
4:30 – 5:00
5:00 – 5:30
5:30 – 6:00
6:00 – 6:30
6:30 – 7:00
7:00 – 7:30

All students interested in these courses must complete registration with the School’s Registrar and accept charges.

June term extends from June 5 to June 28.

Courses offered by Contract modality: First year – GCP0; Second year: APH2, GDT0, BVP0, DIS1, DIS2; Third year: DIS3. If interested in participating in remedial courses by contract modality, besides completing registration with the Registrar and accepting charges, students must contact the faculty members directly to obtain the terms of these courses. Be mindful that the School catalog states that there is a maximum of 7 credits per summer session.

Schedule June 2025 V1.0

Books Lists