ICO is developing a new degree option for students enrolled in the College’s Doctor of Optometry program. This degree option will be a thesis-based, joint degree Master of Science in Clinical Vision Research (OD/MS) with the opportunity to graduate with both degrees on schedule with the pre-established OD graduation date. Students will apply to this program during the summer of their second optometric year and coursework will begin along with other optometric studies during the fall of the second year. Enrolled students will conduct a clinical research project, take concurrent research-related coursework, develop a written thesis based on their project’s background, methods, and results, and present an oral presentation (public defense) of their work to the ICO community.  The curriculum will consist of concurrent credit for coursework already being completed to fulfill the OD degree along with additional MS graduate courses. It is planned that initial applications to the program would begin in the Summer of 2026.

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It is envisioned that the new joint degree program will be an attractive and convenient option for students who have an interest in optometric research and may want to expand their career options upon graduation, such as pursuing additional advanced degrees like a Ph.D., working in academic settings and becoming an independent investigator, and/or serving within industry. Graduates with the OD/MS degree will also position themselves for competitive optometric residency positions, particularly those which may also emphasize clinical research within their programs. 

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In 2019, the College developed the Summer Research Program, and it has been offered to first-year students who are transitioning to the second optometric year. Students apply to this program during the latter half of their first year, and when accepted, spend the summer between their first and second year conducting a mentored clinical research project with the goal of presenting their work at professional meetings and ultimately publishing their work in the scientific literature. Because of the success of that program, the development of an MS program in Clinical Vision Research was a natural evolution. This will allow us to expand research training opportunities to more ICO students, and deepen our current students involvement. The MS program will not only benefit ICO students, but it will also benefit the larger academic culture at ICO by stimulating activity around research and helping to build an advanced infrastructure. Providing further training in research will also benefit the larger optometric community by adding more graduates to the pool of scientific researchers, which is critical to advancing science and the profession.

The OD/MS program will be an option for all first-year students, but it may be a particularly attractive option for students who have participated in the Summer Research Program because they will be able to utilize their projects toward their required joint degree work and thesis. Students in the OD/MS program will work with their primary mentor and a thesis committee that will help review and guide the student’s activity. In addition to courses in biostatistics, research design, scientific writing, and ethics, students will participate in research seminars and other activities that will enhance their knowledge and skills important for devising, conducting, and reporting on scientific studies.
 

Stephanie Messner, OD; Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs, introduces ICO’s exciting new program. Leading faculty researcher, Yi Pang, OD, PhD, sat down with Daniel Roberts, OD, PhD, and Rebecca K. Zoltoski, PhD to discuss the impact of this advanced research graduate program.