In addition to clinical training, Pacific demonstrates its commitment to quality optometric research by requiring a research thesis of each student, encouraging and providing funds for faculty to attend scientific meetings and providing research facilities. The annual Pacific Vision Conference on campus allows practitioners, students, faculty and other reseachers the opportunity to exchange findings and information. Unique to Pacific University are additional graduate degree programs in clinical optometry, allowing specialization in various areas of optometry. These are conducted in conjunction with Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. We have excellent facilities located on the Pacific campus along with a network of clinical centers in Portland.
Graduates have broad-based clinical skills in all areas of optometry.
Clinical work is introduced in the first year of the professional program and increases in complexity as the student progresses. Intensive clinical work in the last year requires the student intern to rotate through a series of clinical centers operated by the College, both on campus and in nearby Portland.