At SUNY College of Optometry, you’ll develop the knowledge, clinical skills, and critical thinking needed to thrive in the future of optometric practice. Our four-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) program combines a strong foundation in vision science with hands-on patient care that begins early and expands throughout your training. Students can personalize their education through electives, research opportunities, microcredentials, and advanced clinical experiences.
Choose to pursue your OD at our New York City campus or our new Syracuse campus. With shared learning resources and in-person clinical training at leading eye care centers and externship sites nationwide. Graduates leave prepared to provide exceptional, evidence-based patient care as skilled, ethical, and compassionate optometrists.
Pursue your OD at our NYC or Syracuse campus and experience the same rigorous SUNY Optometry curriculum in two distinct learning environments. Study in the heart of Midtown Manhattan with access to the full SUNY Optometry academic community, or join a close-knit cohort at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Whichever campus you choose, you’ll benefit from shared learning resources, in-person labs and clinical experiences, and connections to faculty and expertise across SUNY Optometry.
Build your expertise step by step through a four-year curriculum that brings vision science, clinical knowledge, and patient care together. You’ll develop a strong foundation in the biological and vision sciences, build clinical skills through hands-on learning, and take on increasing patient care responsibilities as you progress. Integrated coursework and clinical experiences help you connect what you learn in the classroom with real patient care, culminating in immersive fourth-year clinical rotations.
Turn curiosity into discovery with the Master of Science in Vision Science at SUNY College of Optometry. Designed for SUNY Optometry OD students and residents who want to explore the science behind vision and eye health, the program combines advanced coursework, hands-on research, and faculty mentorship to prepare the next generation of researchers, innovators, and clinician-scientists.
Work alongside leading vision scientists, investigate real-world questions in basic and clinical research, and contribute to advancements that shape the future of eye care. Through a flexible curriculum, individualized research opportunities, and a collaborative academic community, you’ll develop the skills to think critically, conduct independent research, and make meaningful contributions to the field.
Qualified OD students at our NYC campus can apply to the dual OD/MS pathway during their first year, allowing them to earn both degrees within four years through integrated coursework and research experiences. Students accepted into the OD/MS program pay no additional tuition for the MS degree while enrolled in the OD program. At our Syracuse campus, OD students can pursue select microcredentials as part of their academic experience.
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SUNY College of Optometry’s Microcredential Programs allow Doctor of Optometry (OD) students to customize their education by gaining advanced training in specialized areas of clinical practice beyond the standard curriculum. Available microcredentials include Cornea & Contact Lens, Glaucoma, Pediatrics, Low Vision/Ocular Disease, Myopia Management, and Vision Rehabilitation. Students accepted into these competitive, no-cost programs receive faculty mentorship, priority registration for relevant electives and externships, and enhanced opportunities for scholarly research, presentations, and leadership development. Upon successful completion, the microcredential is recorded on the student’s academic transcript and recognized with a certificate at graduation, providing graduates with additional expertise and a competitive edge for residency placement and employment. While these programs offer in-depth specialty training, they are not equivalent to residency training or specialist certification.
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The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Optometry Business Management prepares future optometrists to lead successful practices, navigate complex healthcare systems, and make informed business decisions. Offered jointly by SUNY College of Optometry and SUNY Empire State University, the program combines clinical education with practical training in leadership, finance, operations, healthcare policy, and strategic management.
Designed for OD students and practicing optometrists, this flexible 18-credit program provides the knowledge and skills needed to manage organizations, improve patient care delivery, and advance into leadership roles within the vision care profession. Courses are integrated with the OD curriculum and can be applied toward an MBA in Healthcare Leadership at SUNY Empire State University, creating a pathway for continued professional growth.
More information on Combined OD & MBA
Gain hands-on clinical experience throughout the OD program, with increasing patient care responsibilities as you progress. At the NYC campus, students train at the University Eye Center, while Syracuse students gain clinical experience at the Upstate University Center for Vision Care, Syracuse Community Health, and other affiliated regional sites. The Syracuse campus also offers opportunities for interprofessional learning and collaboration within a major academic medical center.
In your fourth year, you’ll complete four clinical rotations across a range of patient care settings. Students from both campuses complete at least one rotation at the University Eye Center in New York City, along with rotations at affiliated sites such as hospitals, other health care facilities, and private practices. These experiences provide exposure to diverse patients, clinical environments, and areas of optometric care.