The College of Optometry at Ferris State University is the only College of Optometry in Michigan and is one of only 16 in the United States.

The primary mission of the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State is to educate and train professional students who, upon graduation, are able to provide the diagnostic and treatment services which characterize the general practice of optometry. The Doctor of Optometry program is a four year professional Optometry degree program which admits 36 students annually. Admission is competitive and the health sciences curriculum is rigorous.

The College of Optometry at Ferris State exceeds the standards of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry and is fully accredited by the Council on Optometric Education and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Each college optometry class consists of just more than 30 students selected from a national and international applicant pool. The low faculty-student ratio is conducive to excellent educational and clinical training in Optometry. The curriculum is designed to produce college optometry graduates that are qualified to practice full-scope optometric care in any state and optometry practice setting. The College of Optometry is housed in Pennock Hall with academic, administrative, and on-campus clinical facility with many off-campus clinical facilities providing clinical education for optometry students.

Bachelor of Science in Vision Science
The Michigan College of Optometry awards the Bachelor of Science in Vision Science degree at the conclusion of the first year in the professional degree program to those students who are eligible. Students not already in the possession of a Bachelor's degree are eligible to receive the degree upon successful completion of the required first year optometry courses and upon having satisfied all the general education course requirements as set forth by the University. Only students enrolled in the Michigan College of Optometry are eligible recipients of this degree.

Residency Training
The Michigan College of Optometry is well known throughout the health care professions for graduating highly skilled Doctors of Optometry. However, some graduates wish to specialize in certain aspects of eye care which requires an additional year of clinical training in the desired specialty area. The Michigan College of Optometry offers four post-doctoral residency programs. Dr. Bruce Morgan is the Chief of Residencies.

• Ocular Disease Battle Creek VAMC
• Ocular Disease Grand Rapids VA
• Ocular Disease Jackson TLC/MCO
• Ocular Disease/Primary Care Fort Wayne Campus VA
• Cornea/Contact Lenses Michigan College of Optometry
• Ocular Disease Detroit VAMC

Continuing Education
The Michigan College of Optometry plays an integral role in the development of the profession in the state, Great Lakes region, and nation. Part of the college's responsibilities is to provide continuing education to optometrists who have already graduated from MCO or one of the other 16 optometry programs in the United States. The Michigan College of Optometry offers continuing education programs at the Big Rapids campus and the faculty are frequently sought out to provide educational courses for CE programs across the nation.

• MCO CE Programs
• MCO Faculty

For more information on the College of Optometry and specifics view the College of Optometry Admissions Policies.

More on Academic Requirements of Optometry Doctorate Degree Program the Ferris State College of Optometry. College students seeking admission in the College of Optometry must earn a bachelors degree with a concentration in pre-medicine and also work in the MCO Cornea & Contact Lens Service Centers providing comprehensive eye care including cosmetic and specialized correction of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia using both rigid and soft contact lenses for patients of all ages. Recent developments in high-performance lens materials and designs often allow patients to excel with contact lenses who were previously told that they could not wear them. The Medical and Surgical Service uses the latest, cutting edge high-tech optometry equipment and technology to evaluate and manage optometry patients with glaucoma, diabetes, cataracts, and age-related problems such as macular degeneration and dry eye as well as other vision threatening abnormalities.

Ferris State Optometry students are provided opportunities to participate in minor surgical procedures for common eye problems such as a chalazion, skin tags (growths) growing around the eyes and permanent removal of misdirected eyelashes are performed in the clinic. Other optometry surgery services, such as cataract surgery and eyelid surgery are performed in a state-of-the-art eye surgery center specially equipped for eye surgery of all types. The preoperative evaluation and post-operative care is performed at the College of Optometry at Ferris State University. Laser surgery (LASIK, PRK) for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism is also available for patients of the University eye center. The low vision clinic also accepts eye care appointments for individuals who are unable to read normal size print, such as a newspaper, using conventional glasses or contact lenses.

College of Optometry patients are demonstrated handheld, stand, pocket and spectacle mounted magnifying devices to accomplish specific reading tasks. The clinic also has many electro optical devices that can improve near, intermediate and distance vision. The Cherry Street Health Clinic location provides the largest eye care program for the uninsured in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Services include comprehensive eye examinations, dilated eye exams, dispensing of eye glasses and diagnosis and treatment of eye disease. Michigan College of Optometry faculty and students provide these eye care services at little or no charge with sliding fees for optometry and eye care services based on income and family size.

Michigan College of Optometry
Ferris State University
1310 Cramer Circle
Big Rapids, Michigan MI (USA) 49307
Optometry Administrative Offices - Tel: 231-591-3700
Eye Care Appointments - Tel: 231-591-2020