Jan. 16, 2025 — The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) has introduced new standards for professional optometric degree programs, effective as of Jan. 1. These updates stem from a comprehensive review process initiated in December 2021, aimed at ensuring educational rigor and consistency for both developing and operational programs.

The revised standards consolidate previous guidelines, provide clarity in terminology, and set expectations for alternative educational pathways, including distance learning. They also emphasize adherence to policies, continuous quality improvement, and alignment between program stages.

Key changes include:

• Unified standards: The new framework combines previously separate standards, one for developing programs seeking approval and another for existing programs. ACOE shares that the alignment will ensure developing programs understand the requirements it must adhere to once it becomes operational at all stages.
• Terminology integration: The incorporation of terms defined by the ACOE’s glossary, like “contemporary optometry,” ensures uniform benchmarks across accredited programs, says ACOE.
• Alternative pathways: Clear guidelines are provided for programs offering nontraditional pathways, such as distance education.
• Evidence of adherence: Programs must demonstrate compliance with policies and procedures beyond merely establishing them.
• Continuous quality improvement: Programs are required to adopt self-assessment cycles, identify performance gaps, and implement improvements.

“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 ACOE chair G. Timothy Petito, OD. “As directed by the U.S. Department of Education…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.” 

As of Jan. 1, the following institutions have received accreditation status from ACOE for their professional optometric degree programs:

• University of Detroit Mercy School of Optometry, Novi, MI: Preliminary Approval
• High Point University School of Optometry, High Point, NC: Stage One designation
• Universidad Ana G. Méndez – Cupey Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico: Stage One designation
• University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, NC: Stage One designation

Preliminary Approval allows recruitment and enrollment, while Stage One designation signifies programs have completed feasibility and risk assessments but are not authorized to enroll students.

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions College of Optometry (RMUCO) in Provo, UT, received Preliminary Approval and welcomed its first cohort in May 2023. RMUCO’s accreditation status will be reviewed once its first class is scheduled to graduate. With RMUCO’s addition, there are now 26 professional optometric degree programs across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

ACOE’s standards aim to ensure programs meet their mission and objectives, support research, maintain qualified faculty, and provide adequate facilities and clinical experiences. The standards also mandate impartial admissions processes and adequate support for students pursuing independent practice in contemporary optometry.

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