Application
Preceptor Information
Program Descriptions

Application

If you are interested in becoming a preceptor for Midwestern University's Arizona College of Optometry students, please fill out this application and forward as indicated. Within a few days of your submission, you will be contacted by our Assistant Director of Rotations.

Preceptor Information

Why should I become a preceptor?

Being a preceptor to the future of the Optometric profession has many personal and professional benefits.  Aside from giving back to the profession, preceptors have the opportunity to mentor students through clinical experiences unique to their site.  These clinical experiences enhance the knowledge and skill level of our fourth year students offering them the opportunity to become confident, capable clinicians in the field. 

Additionally, our preceptors receive the following benefits:

• Appointment as Assistant Clinical Adjunct Faculty with the Arizona College of Optometry
• Access to Midwestern University's library resources and journals
• Complementary registration to Arizona College of Optometry's continuing education events and programs

What are the requirements?
To become part of our healthcare team as one of our preceptors, the following training and documentation is required:

• Must possess documented advanced training (residency or fellowship training) or comparable clinical experience (5 years),
• Proof of liability insurance and documentation of no adverse actions against licensure of the primary and secondary faculty are mandatory.
• Must maintain appropriate instrumentation and possess sufficient patient volume and diversity to offer a quality clinical experience
• Internet access is necessary.

What qualities do we look for in our preceptors?

• Motivated, enthusiastic, self-directed learners
• Optometrists developing a patient-focused practice
• Effective communicators
• Individuals eager to advance their mentoring skills and abilities

I'm interested. How can I get involved?
Simply fill out the application. Upon receipt and review, we will get in touch with you.

Program Description

The Arizona College of Optometry awards the degree, Doctor of Optometry, upon successful completion of the four-year professional program. Each year of the didactic curriculum students gain knowledge and skills appropriate for successful progression in the program.  The first year emphasizes ocular anatomy, physiology, geometric optics and basic sciences.  Upon completion of their first year students are introduced to ocular disease, ophthalmic optics, contact lens, and visual sciences in their second year.  The third year of our optometric education is divided between didactic courses and clinical experience.  In this year student knowledge is broadened with a curriculum that includes specialty services such as binocular vision, strabismus, low vision, and neuro ophthalmic disease.  The clinical component of the third year takes students from simulation in our state of the art laboratories to real patient encounters in our own Midwestern University Eye Institute.  The fourth year, supported by our preceptors, merges all clinical aspects and didactic knowledge through on and off campus external rotations.  It is here where students skills are enhanced in the field by supportive, caring clinicians sharing their unique experience and wisdom.  Clinical settings for external rotations may include military facilities, veteran administration hospitals, public health service hospitals, and specialty and/or private practices.