ACOE recognizing new Professional Optometric Degree Program Standards

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The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) is now recognizing new Professional Optometric Degree Program Standards that are applicable to both existing and prospective optometric degree programs, including news standards concerning alignment, terminology, and adherence, among others. ACOE has been recognizing the new standards, which are the results of the ACOE’s comprehensive standards review process that launched in December 2021, since January 1, according to a news release.

“The Standards for both proposed and existing professional optometric degree programs have never been more comprehensive or rigorous, and the ACOE has never been more focused on fulfilling its mission,” says G. Timothy Petito, OD, ACOE chair, in the release. “As directed by the US Department of Education (DoE), which sets forth regulations to which recognized accreditors, including the ACOE, must adhere, we follow the applicable regulations when establishing, maintaining and applying standards to assure the quality of optometric education. Part of the regulations require the ACOE to seek public comments on its standards, and we encourage the public, policy and public health experts, involved programs, and every Doctor of Optometry to offer comments and information to aid the ACOE in fulfilling its mission.”

The new standards include the replacement of previously 2 separate sets of standards: one set for developing programs seeking preliminary approval and another set for existing programs. “The alignment in standards ensures a developing program understands the requirements it must adhere to once a program becomes operational, while holding the program to requirements commensurate to their development stage,” the release states.

Additionally, the ACOE’s new standards incorporate terms defined by its glossary, including several key or new terms such as “contemporary optometry.” The council’s expectations for programs offering distance education or alternate pathways are also further defined, which can work to define a path that confers with an OD degree but is different from a traditional program. Evidence is also now necessary for providing proof of adherence to policies and procedures. Finally, the council’s new standards stress programs’ adoption of a continuous quality improvement cycle, which involves establishing benchmarks, conducting self-assessment for determining performance, identifying performance gaps, and taking “appropriate action in a continuous loop,” the release said.

The ACOE is recognized by the DoE and Council on Higher Education Accreditation, and was most recently reaffirmed by the DoE in 2023.

As for the ACOE’s accreditation process, the council follows a comprehensive and continual review process to maintain a high-quality education for optometric students. This process takes more than 6 years for a prospective professional optometric degree program. As of January 1, prospective programs that have been granted status from ACOE include University of Detroit Mercy School of Optometry, High Point University School of Optometry, Universidad Ana G. Mendez Cupey Campus, and University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

The ACOE also has new Optometric Residency Program Standards that will take effect July 1, 2025.

Reference:

1. Accreditation Council of Optometric Education Standards updates take effect. News release. American Optometric Association. January 10, 2025. Accessed January 13, 2025. https://www.aoa.org/news/inside-optometry/aoa-news/acoe-standards-updates-take-effect-what-they-mean-for-optometric-education-programs?sso=y