Fresh and exciting courses in contact lenses, sensory neuroscience, myopia control, community eye health, public health, and business studies are now available for optometrists to undertake through the University of New South Wales (Sydney) School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS).
The programs of study have been updated to reflect the evolving career needs of practising optometrists.
“We have hand-picked a selection of courses that would be ideal for practising optometrists to return to study and escalate their capacity for global and domestic impact in clinical practice, and be identified as business leaders in managing optometry practices,” said Dr Juno Kim, SOVS Postgraduate Coursework Coordinator. “We are also diversifying study plans for students who have broader career aspirations in public health.”
Master of Optometry
The Master of Optometry (MOptom 8073) is a postgraduate master’s degree offered by the SOVS. The program was recently updated and revised to include a diverse number of courses that broaden and develop expertise in multiple areas, including contact lenses, sensory neuroscience, myopia control, community eye health, public health, and business studies. Courses in this degree offer a variety of teaching methods that intend to appeal to new and established practitioners who hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent in optometry.
We have hand-picked a selection of courses that would be ideal for practising optometrists to return to study and escalate their capacity
Providing courses run by leading Optometry and Vision Science clinicians, researchers and vision scientists, SOVS has partnered with the School of Population Health to provide a suite of courses that are pertinent to clinicians, including, but not limited to Foundations in Public Health & Health Care Systems, Foundations of Epidemiology and Principles and Practice of Primary Health Care Services in the Community.
Listening to the educational needs of practitioners, SOVS has formed an alliance with the UNSW Business School, and will now offer marketing and management courses within the MOptom program that include Managing and Leading People, Marketing Communication and Promotion, and Entrepreneurship and New Venture management.
The program is designed for flexibility and remote learning. According to one student, Suki Jaiswal, “I found the program flexible in allowing me to take on courses based on my schedule and the mixed program delivery of online and in-person learning ensured I could learn at my own pace.
“The pinnacle for me was learning tools and effective techniques on incorporating evidence-based practice into my daily patient management,” she said.
“With the addition of courses in business skills, I think the program is a fantastic way to update knowledge on disease management and upskill yourself to expand your career prospects.”
Indeed, the program authorities at UNSW believe that optometrists in the field desire diversity in their professional training, and the Master of Optometry (MOptom) is a continually evolving program that will meet the needs of all students who enrol now and in the future.
Graduate Certificates
Domestic students looking for a shorter program can access the same range of courses by enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Optometry which takes only two terms to complete (as opposed to 1.5 years).
Other graduate certificate programs on offer include the Graduate Certificate in Myopia Management, and the Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics.
UNSW’s Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics offers practising Australian optometrists the opportunity to add to their qualifications and skills, responding to the demands of this healthcare sector. This one-year program is designed to meet standards set by the Optometry Board of Australia (OBA) and is accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ). Students who are currently Australian optometrists will receive the specialised training qualifying them to prescribe therapeutic agents to their patients. This program offers blended learning of online webinars, clinical workshops and clinical placements.
Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility
UNSW SOVS is also offering a new Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility. This one-year program is open to practitioners wanting to diversify their studies to become orientation and mobility specialists. The delivery of this program also involves blended learning with online classes and professional placements. MOptom students are also able to enrol in foundation orientation and mobility courses as part of their MOptom program, and these courses offer insight into supporting people who are blind or have low vision.
Find Out More
UNSW will host a master class on 2 November 2021 for the MOptom and Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility programs. For more information about events and the postgraduate coursework programs on offer, visit the School of Optometry and Vision Science’s UNSW Website.
