About the College

Founded in 1919, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), established Salus University in July 2008, and became part of Drexel University in July 2025.

Mission

The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) innovated and leads in the development of Doctors of Optometry optometrists who advance health and health care through excellence in discovery, patient care, and professional leadership.

PCO's programs are offered in an interdisciplinary environment dedicated to teaching/learning effectiveness, enhancing career development, inspiring and developing leadership, and fostering new discoveries through research.

Majors

• Doctor of Optometry (OD) - Traditional Program
• Doctor of Optometry (OD) - Accelerated Scholars Program
• Advanced Placement OD Degree Program

Certificates

• Health Sciences

Student Learning Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Students will demonstrate didactic knowledge and skills required to achieve national licensure

Objective 1.1: Demonstrate an understanding of their individual responsibility and self-assessment for academic success.

Objective 1.2: Demonstrate understanding in the basic sciences.

Objective 1.3: Demonstrate understanding in the clinical sciences.

Goal 2: Students will demonstrate proficiency in skills during the Internship phase of the clinical program to successfully enter the Externship program.

Objective 2.1: Demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively complete an eye exam.

Objective 2.2: Receive and incorporate into practice constructive clinical feedback.

Objective 2.3: Effectively communicate and collaborate with providers, colleagues, staff, and patients during the Internship phase of the program.

Objective 2.4: Demonstrate ethical, professional, and culturally competent skills and behaviors.

Objective 2.5: Utilize evidence to conduct a comprehensive analysis of a clinical case.

Goal 3: Students will demonstrate skills requisite for practice of independent, contemporary optometic practice.

Objective 3.1: Complete the Externship phase of the program with minimum competency in specific optometric specialty areas.

Objective 3.2: Exhibit skills for evidence-based research and case-based scholarly work and discussion.

Objective 3.3: Effectively communicate and collaborate with providers, colleagues, staff, and patients during the Externship phase of the program.

Goal 4: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the value, knowledge, and skills required for successful interprofessional collaborative care.

Objective 4.1: Increase student recognition of the value of interprofessional activities.

Objective 4.2: Demonstrate effective interprofessional communication skills.