The College of Optometry administers the only professional training program for optometrists in Missouri and is just one of 21 ASCO member institutions in North America that award an OD. Over 97 percent of our students have earned a bachelor's degree prior to their admission to the four-year professional degree program which is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. At least one of the nearly 1150 graduates may be found in over 37 states and two foreign countries.
Our on-site, accredited, post-professional residency programs allow select graduates to seek intensive and specialized clinical experience following completion of the OD in two specialty areas: cornea and contact lenses and pediatrics and binocular vision. Practitioners enrolled in these programs are fortunate to work with our internationally renowned faculty.
The college also sponsors affiliated residencies supervised by nationally recognized optometrists located at the Veteran's Administration Hospitals in St. Louis, Kansas City, Mo., Wichita, Kan., and Marion, Ill. In addition to providing unique educational opportunities, these programs enhance the quality of care delivered to veterans. We are also proud of the affiliated program in hospital-based pediatric optometry located at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City. Many completing residency programs across the country will serve as the optometric educators of tomorrow.