Master of Science in Clinical Vision Research Program

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The Illinois College of Optometry has a new degree option for students already enrolled in the College’s Doctor of Optometry program. This degree option is a thesis-based, dual degree Master of Science in Clinical Vision Research (OD/MS) with the opportunity to graduate with both degrees on schedule with the pre-established OD graduation date. 

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Students may apply to this program during the summer of their second optometric year and coursework will begin along with other optometric studies during the fall of the second year. During this thesis-based MS program, enrolled students will conduct a clinical research project, take concurrent research-related coursework, develop a written thesis related to their project’s background, methods, and results, and present an oral presentation (public defense) of their work to the ICO community. Along with their enrollment, students will develop a thesis committee comprised of their project advisor(s) and 2-3 additional qualified faculty, one of whom must be from the Student Research Committee. The curriculum will consist of concurrent credit for coursework already being completed to fulfill the OD degree along with additional MS graduate courses.

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Although not a prerequisite to the OD/MS joint degree program, students who are already participating in the annual ICO Summer Research Program can apply to the OD/MS program and use their Summer Research Program project toward the requirements of the OD/MS dual degree program. Students participate in the Summer Research Program during the summer after their first year of matriculation in the OD program. During the Summer Research Program, students conduct an on-campus, mentored clinical research project under the supervision of ICO faculty members. This may be an attractive option to facilitate requirements for the OD/MS program dual degree program.

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Program Requirements

• Successful performance in the Summer Research Program is preferred but not a requirement.

• Cumulative GPA > 3.0 at end of spring quarter Y1

• Enrolled students must remain in good academic standing during the program

• Must select a graduate research advisor  

• Must select a thesis committee (primary research advisor and 2-3 additional qualified faculty; must include someone from the Student Research Committee; can include an external person as needed depending on the project)​

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Application Process

• No application fee

• GRE not required

• Application requires a current curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, and a completed program application 

• Application deadline: Approx July 15 of Y2 academic year​

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Curriculum

54.5 quarterly hours 
(29.5 hours of dual degree core optometry coursework – already being taken as part of the OD professional program, 9 hours MS graduate courses, and 16 hours toward execution of master’s thesis)
 

Dual degree core courses (29.5 hours) 
Timeframe corresponds to regular OD degree curriculum.

1.  Applied Ocular Anatomy (6.0 hours, Y1)

2. Geometric and Theoretical Optics (7.5 hours, Y1)

3. Vision Science I, II, and III (13.0 hours, Y1/Y2)

4. Ocular pathophysiology (3.0 hours, Y2)

 
MS graduate courses (9 hours)

1. Ethics in Research (1.0 hour, Y2)

2. Biostatistics and Research Design in Biomedical Research I (2.0 hours, Y2 or Y3)

3. Scientific and Clinical Writing (1.0 hour, Y2)

4. Biostatistics and Research Design in Biomedical Research II (2.0 hours, Y3)

5. MS Research Seminar (Research Seminar A, Research Seminar B, Research Seminar C, 3.0 hours total, 1.0 hour each during three separate quarters, Y2/Y3.

 
Execution of master’s thesis (16 hours)

1. Master’s thesis research hours (12.0 hours total, Y2/Y3)

2. Thesis Proposal Development (2.0 hours, Fall Y2)

3. Thesis Preparation and Defense (2.0 hours, any time after research completion and MS coursework completion)

 

Tuition

Tuition covers the 25 additional course hours required for the program, i.e., 9 hours of MS didactic courses, and 16 hours for the master's thesis hours. Charges are incurred according to quarter of course enrollment. Therefore, the distribution of charges will vary during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th professional academic year. Scholarship opportunities are available to enrolled students. Students who participate in the ICO Summer Research Program and subsequently enroll in the MS program receive tuition-free credit hours that are applied toward the MS degree. These include 6.0 credits toward thesis research hours and up to 3.0 credits toward other didactic hours.

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