Optometry: transitioning to the Melbourne Model
As the University moves to the Melbourne Model, the current undergraduate optometry degree (the Bachelor of Optometry) will be phased out to be replaced by a new postgraduate degree which will begin in 2011 (subject to approval).
A major assessment of optometry training, including an extensive review of educational models worldwide, has been undertaken. It is anticipated that the Doctor of Optometry will be of four years duration and will consist of a combination of on-campus teaching and clinical placements, with the clinical component commencing in year 1 and gradually increasing to full-time in the final year. Opportunities will exist for clinical related research to be conducted as a required component of the degree.
The timeline for change is:
| 2009 | final intake for school leavers in the Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | no intake |
| 2011 | first intake into the Doctor of Optometry |
Selection for the proposed Doctor of Optometry (still to be confirmed) may include consideration of:
- Grade point average in an undergraduate degree which includes a tertiary subject (at any level) in Physics or Optics, plus three 2nd or 3rd year subjects: one in Anatomy or Cell Biology; and two in the Molecular, Cellular or Physiological sciences.
- An aptitude test
- A written statement in support of the application
Quotas and fee types
It is expected that the intake into the proposed Doctor of Optometry will be consistent with the current intake into the B.Optom at 60 per annum. We expect the mix of CSP and fee students to be the same as for the undergraduate program.
Pathways
For students of the University of Melbourne the preferred pathway is via the Bachelor of Science (with a life sciences major) or the Bachelor of Biomedicine (the core subjects fulfill the pre-requisite requirements). Students from other degrees or Universities will need to ensure that they include the pre-requisite subjects in their degree. Completion of a tertiary level Mathematics and/or Statistics subject is also strongly recommended (but is not compulsory).
Guaranteed entry
Students who meet the prerequisite requirements for entry into the proposed Doctor of Optometry will be guaranteed entry to the course if they meet specific criteria. The University's guaranteed pathway to graduate professional entry programs is detailed on the web.
Applications using this pathway will be made in the final year of undergraduate study. It is not necessary to nominate an intention to pursue this pathway before then.
Should I apply for the B.Optometry degree in 2009 or plan for the postgraduate degree?
At the end of the day this is a choice that only you can make, but some of the things you may wish to consider are:
| Bachelor of Optometry | Doctor of Optometry |
|---|---|
| If you select entry into the Bachelor of Optometry in 2009 and you are successful you know that you have secured a pathway to your chosen career. | Entry into the proposed Doctor of Optometry after completion of a bachelor degree is not guaranteed (unless you qualify for the pathway described above). However, students will have the opportunity to obtain a broad education before having to make a specific choice about a professional qualification. |
| 5 years of tertiary study is required to obtain professional qualification and currently provides the highest standard of optometry training in Australia. | 4 years of tertiary postgraduate study (preceded by 3 year undergraduate degree) is required to obtain professional qualification. This structure is consistent with the highest standards internationally. |
| Exact fees and numbers of places are known. | Exact fees and numbers of places are not yet known. However, it is expected that the quota will be roughly the same, and that the mix of CSP and fee places will be similar to the past. |
| The Bachelor of Optometry at Melbourne is the only degree to have graduated therapeutically trained optometrists in Australia. | The proposed Doctor of Optometry is currently the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere. |
| Demand for places is strong. A minimum ENTER of 96 is required for the Bachelor of Optometry. | As the first (and possibly only) Doctor of Optometry program on offer it is expected that there will be greater competition for places. |
Both the Bachelor of Optometry and the proposed Doctor of Optometry would qualify you to practise as a therapeutically endorsed Optometrist in Australia, and to register to practise in several overseas countries.
If you are really unsure about your career choices you may prefer to enter a new generation degree, and defer your decision about which professional training you want to pursue until after you have completed your undergraduate degree.
Want to be kept updated?
The Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences invites you to register for email updates over the next few years as the new course is developed and more details become available. If you wish to be kept updated as information becomes available please keep visiting this web site and/or sign up to receive email updates.