About UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry
Eyecare • Teaching • Research • Service
Our Mission in Action: We are the only optometry school in the country associated with a faith-based institution emphasizing individualized attention and placing a high importance on our student’s personal growth and development. In addition to our goal of graduating clinically proficient optometrists, UIWRSO is equally concerned with graduating well-rounded healthcare professionals. We challenge you to consider what it means to be a compassionate doctor and leader in the community.
In this effort, we have implemented the Health Professional Personal Development Pathway contained within specific courses within the first two years of professional study. Examples of workshops and lectures within the personal development pathway include topics on mission, service, ethics, social justice, human dignity, leadership, embracing diversity, effective communication, self-care, and a patient-centered approach to healthcare.
Additionally, UIWRSO in partnership with HOYA, offers the Interfaith Room. This space, designed by three of our inaugural class interns, provides our students with a quiet place to pray, meditate and reflect. The Interfaith Room is a shining example of our continued commitment to our students’ personal and spiritual growth.
Community Service and the idea of giving back for the greater good, is a long held value and tradition at the University. UIWRSO incorporates this value into the curriculum through required service hours and ongoing opportunities to participate in community outreach programs. During the 2nd Year of professional study, our students have the opportunity to provide vision and disease screenings to underserved populations. In addition to our service curricular requirements, our student organizations routinely offer members both vision related and general community service opportunities. Examples include SVOSH coordinating volunteers for Special Olympics – Opening Eyes programs at competitions in Texas and NOSA coordinating an Elf Louise Christmas Toy Drive.
Student Success: UIWRSO is committed to the success of each student enrolled in the professional program. We work hard to create a cohesive and supportive atmosphere, providing our students access to academic as well as non-academic support services. Support services offered include:
- Academic Support Services
- Career Resources
- Counseling Services
- Library Services
- Access to Healthcare
- Student Organizations
One of The Best Academic Environments For Schools of Optometry In The Nation
The prescribed 4-year curriculum is based in the medical model, emphasizing individualized attention and
clinical development. The curriculum integrates classroom experience and patient contact, providing early exposure to clinical training captured through community outreach programs, rotations through our clinics and externships in clinical sites both nationally and internationally.
Distinctive features of the curriculum include case-based seminars, grand rounds, problem-based learning, incorporation of educational technologies such as web-based learning, classroom performance system, digital libraries, podcasts and video conferencing.
Opportunities exist for clinical research through our Summer Fellowship Training Program as well as interaction with other medical and health care providers primarily through our Inter-Professional Education (IPE) program.
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