Coursework and Clinic:
An Interconnected Curriculum
Curriculum
Pacific University develops premier clinical doctors of optometry through integrated academic and laboratory experiences with clinical work. As a result, our four-year program prepares students for a broad scope of contemporary optometric care.
The School: Meeting Your Expectations
We integrate academic and lab experiences with clinical work from the beginning. Rigorous coursework and clinical experiences work together to help you simultaneously integrate knowledge, anchor essential principles and build skills.
Clinical Placements
Pacific University prides itself on providing a solid foundation in clinical education. Clinical work is introduced in your first year, increasing in complexity as you progress through the program. You will graduate as a full-scope, primary care optometric physician, yet you will also have exposure to areas of specialization such as contact lenses, low vision, ocular disease and special testing, pediatrics, primary care, sports vision and vision therapy.
A Day in the Life
Prospective students often ask us, “What is a day in the life of a student really like? How many hours do they study?” So we went straight to the source and asked some of our current students about a typical day. A Day in the Life gives you a glimpse of what you can expect.
FEATURED ALUMNI
Dr. Amber Dunn
Doctor of Optometry – O.D.
After graduating from Pacific University’s Optometry program in 2013, Dr. Dunn opened a private practice in King City, Oregon where she practices primary care optometry, with a specialty in dry eye disease. She is also an Assistant Professor at Pacific University in the OD program and currently serves on her state board as the membership director and nationally as a committee member for the larger optometric association, AOA.
Dr. Dunn was awarded Young OD of the year for Oregon in 2018 and works hard to continue to live up to that honor. When she is not seeing patients or teaching, Dr. Dunn enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.
“My time at Pacific showed me what true relationships are and how important they need to be. While in a professional program, you will go through many stages of life quickly and it’s important to have a strong foundation. The faculty were inspirational and my classmates were encouraging, fostering what became a successful optometric career.”