Education/Visual Function in Learning, MEd

Applications are accepted twice a year: November 1 and April 1. Applicants must hold a Doctor of Optometry degree or have completed the fall semester of the first year of study within Pacific University College of Optometry and be in good academic standing, with a 3.00 minimum GPA in at least 9 credits of graduate work.

Additional Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit the following documents no later than four weeks before the beginning of graduate study:

Official transcripts of all colleges of study
Two references from optometry faculty. One letter of recommendation from an optometrist is required for applicants who hold an OD degree
Letter of intent describing how this degree will benefit applicant as a professional

A personal interview led by the MEd/VFL Program Coordinator or designee also is required.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Education/Visual Function in Learning program (MEd/VFL), administered by the College of Education in conjunction with the College of Optometry, is especially designed for optometry students and optometrists who wish to extend their knowledge of vision problems as they relate to reading and the learning process of children. The 30-credit program provides expertise in understanding the cognitive, linguistic, and visual challenges of learning to read. The program is offered only at the Forest Grove campus. Candidates must hold or be working toward Pacific’s Doctor of Optometry degree, have completed the fall semester of the first year of study with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, and be in good academic standing. Candidates may enroll in a maximum of 8 credits of education coursework before admission to the program.

Program Objectives

To develop a knowledge base concerning:
- the role that visual factors play in learning disability diagnosis and remediation;
- fundamental theories of cognition, learning, and language development;
- the major diagnostic theories in reading and related prescriptive techniques;
- decision-making systems, service delivery models, and program management within education organizations;
- the varied constituencies that the public schools must satisfy.
To develop skills in research, diagnosis, therapy, and case management within a multidisciplinary setting.

Thesis

The capstone experience is a thesis, giving candidates an opportunity to synthesize professional education in the optometric clinical setting. All Master of Education/Visual Function in Learning candidates will be appointed an Education program advisor and an Optometry program advisor who will guide the development, implementation and presentation of a research project.