MSc Clinical Optom degree
BSc Optom (bridging degree)

Awarded by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University, USA
Hosted by the Singapore Optometric Association

What is the duration of the course?

The MSc Clinical Optom degree course span a total of three years of part-time study. The BSc Optom portion is a bridge program prior to the commencement of the MSc program. This is because the MSc program usually accepts optometrists who already have a bachelors’ degree. However, Singapore is unique to offer optometry as a diploma course. Therefore, the university offers BSc Optom as a bridging degree for the MSc program. This thereby converts the original two years part-time MSc course into a three years part-time BSc + MSc course.

What is the cost of the MSc Clinical Optom course?

The course total fees is USD $18,000 for optometry degree graduates. For diploma in optometry graduates, the fees is US$24,000, as there are additional bridging modules that diploma holders have to undergo.

Why offer the MSc Clinical Optom degree and not the Doctor of Optometry?

PCO strives to improve the status and profession of optometry in many countries including Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Singapore and other countries. The O.D. degree allows the graduate to attain the skill and knowledge to prescribe medicine for the treatment of eye diseases. However, the medical treatment of eye diseases is not feasible in other countries including Singapore.

The MSc Clinical Optom degree was devised to upgrade the knowledge and skills for the purpose of diagnosing and managing patients with eye diseases with the knowledge but not the skill of medicinal treatment. If an MSc graduate wish to attain the skills of medicinal treatment of eye conditions, a two year conversion course is available to upgrade to an O.D. degree.

Will the entire course be conducted in Singapore?

Most of the lectures will be conducted in Singapore. Patient care will be conducted in the Elkins Park campus of Salus University where the Pennsylvania College of Optometry is located. Patient care lasts a total of four weeks, and is divided into two trips of two weeks each. Some lectures are conducted at Elkins Park campus during those four weeks.

How will the lessons be delivered?

Every month, a professor from PCO will fly into Singapore and lecture the class usually for four days straight. Each day of lecture lasts about seven to eight hours. After the lecture days, the students are expected to self study and revise on their own. Self study and independent work is crucial in this course. The professors are very happy to communicate via email if there are any questions during non-lecture days.

Practical lessons span two weeks. This is to get the students ready to see patients when they fly in to the USA campus. In these two weeks, instructors from PCO will fly into Singapore to teach the advance diagnostic techniques necessary for seeing patients.

For Diploma in Optometry entrants, are the BSc Optom and MSc Clinical Optom degrees fully awarded by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry of Salus University?

Yes, both degrees are fully awarded by the Pennsylvania college of Optometry of Salus University.

Are the BSc Optom and MSc Clinical Optom degrees recognized by the Optometrists and Opticians Board in Singapore?

Yes. Just like the Advanced Diploma in Optometry, the Ph.D. degree in Optometry, or the Master in Optometry degree offered by other institutions, the BSc Optom and the MSc Clinical Optom degrees are accredited as additional higher optometry qualifications. They do not serve to facilitate primary registration as an optometrist in Singapore. They are post-diploma / post-graduate higher qualifications of optometry.

Will the graduates of the MSc Clinical Optom degree be able to practice in the USA?

The graduate of the MSc course will have to undergo a two year Doctor of Optometry upgrading course in the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and pass the National Boards for Optometry to be able to practice in USA.

Will the graduates of the MSc Clinical Optom degree be able to practice in the U.K.?

The MSc Clinical Optom degree are considered as Non-EU/EEA (European Union / European Economic Area) qualifications. As such, the graduate is required to undertake the Examination for Non-EU/EEA qualified optometrists.

The General Optical Council in the UK has previously accepted the MSc Clinical Optom graduates who practice in the European Union / European Economic Area for registration, without the requirement of qualifying examination. This demonstrates the GOC’s acceptance of the MSc degree’s professional status, however, the accreditation of direct registration only applies to EU/EEA citizens. The GOC will consider the applicant on the basis of nationality and where the qualification is gained.

What are the requirements for registration to practice in the UK for the MSc Clinical Optom graduates?

Being considered as a Non-EU/EEA qualified optometrist, the graduate has to undergo one year of experience in Singapore and present a portfolio of evidence about this (selected case records). The graduate has to undertake and pass the Examination for Non-EU/EEA Qualified Optometrist. If successful, he/she can register with the GOC.