Qualifications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS IN OPTOMETRY:
This is a list of basic qualifications for anyone to qualify as an optometrist (in their home country). Your optometrist may hold any (one or more) of the following qualifications:
DipOptom is a diploma in optometry that is awarded upon completing a 3-year full-time course of study. The Singapore Polytechnic is the only tertiary institution in Singapore to offer a course in optometry.This is the basic requirement to qualify as an optometrist in Singapore (for the purpose of registering with the Health Sciences Authority), although other optometry qualifications from the UK, USA and other commonwealth countries are also accepted.
Other programmes offered by the Singapore Polytechnic include a part-time Advanced Diploma in Optometry (Adv.Dip.Optom.) and the Certificate in Contact Lens Practice (CCLP). The CCLP course was offered part-time before 1995 when diploma courses (in optometry) were not available. Many certificate holders have since upgraded to a Diploma in Optometry.
BSc Optom is a bachelor of science degree course (in optometry) that is awarded by a university in the UK. Similar degree courses are awarded by most other commonwealth countries (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, HongKong, Malaysia, etc). It usually takes 3-4 years full-time study to complete a bachelors degree.
A Bachelor degree in optometry is the basic requirement to qualify as an optometrist in most commonwealth countries.
UK Optometry Schools: University of Manchester, Cardiff University (Wales), Aston University (Birmingham), University of Ulster (N.Ireland), East Anglia University, Bradford University, City University (London). Australian/New Zealand Optometry Schools: University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, Queensland University of Technology, University of Auckland.
BSc(Hons) Optom is a bachelor of science degree course (in optometry) with the award of an 'Honours'. It will usually require good performance in additional coursework and/or a project during a BSc Optom degree course to qualify for an Honours degree. It may also sometimes require an additional 1 year of full-time study.
BOptom and BAppSc(Optom) stands for a bachelor of optometry and a bachelor of applied science (in optometry) respectively. These degree courses are similar to a BSc Optom degree, but they are usually awarded by Australian universities. It is also possible to receive an Honours, but it typically require additional coursework and/or a project.
OD is a doctor in optometry degree course that is awarded by an American/Canadian/Filippino university or college. It is a 4-year full-time postgraduate degree programme in the USA and Canada. This is the basic requirement to qualify as an optometrist in North America.
what is optometry? Click Here to find out!
*Suffix "Optom" is often added to indicate that the degrees/diplomas obtained are in Optometry.
POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS
Some optometrists may be awarded a master degree, a doctorate degree, a postgraduate diploma or a professional qualification through the study of advanced / specialised courses and/or research after they obtained their basic degrees in optometry.
BSc + MSc (Clin Optom) is a bachelor of science and a master of science degree in clinical optometry degree. The degrees are awarded concurrently by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry to candidates outside North America upon completing a 2-year part-time distance-learning course of study. The course in Singapore is facilitated by the Singapore Optometric Association. Most participants on this course will have previously completed a Diploma in Optometry (DipOptom) from the Singapore Polytechnic.
PGDip, or a postgraduate diploma, may be awarded by universities upon completing a 1-year full-time course of advanced study.
MOptom is a master of optometry degree programme awarded by Australian universities upon completing coursework or research. The duration of the course is usually taken 1-2 years full-time, but it can vary with universities. MOptom is also available as a 4 year full-time undergraduate programme in the U.K. It usually require very good 'A' levels result to gain entry to the UK MOptom programme.
MSc is a postgraduate master of science degree that may be awarded by universities upon completing a course of advanced study and/or scientific/clinical research. MSc programmes in the UK is typically intensive with coursework and will usually require a research thesis or dissertation in an area of interest. The duration for most MSc programmes is 1-2 years of full-time study.
MPhil is a postgraduate master of philosophy degree that is awarded after completing a 1-2 years full-time research and thesis in an area of interest.
PhD or DPhil, or the doctor of philosophy, is a postgraduate research programme that typically take at least 3 years full-time research and thesis in an area of interest to complete.
MCOptom and the FCOptom are postgraduate professional qualification titles awarded to Members and Fellows of the College of Optometrists in the UK. It usually takes at least one year of postgraduate examinations and other prerequisits to qualify for this professional qualification.
FAAO is a postgraduate professional qualification title that is awarded to Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry in the USA.
DIC is the Diploma of Imperial College that is awarded only by the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, upon completing at least 1 year of full-time postgraduate study consisting of research &/or a course of advanced study. This is typically awarded after pursuing a MSc or a PhD degree programme at Imperial College in London.