J. Bart Campbell, OD
Vice President for Academic Affairs
As Vice President for Academic Affairs, I would like to congratulate you on your invitation to interview at Southern College of Optometry (SCO). As one of the nation’s premier optometry schools, SCO takes pride in its caring faculty and progressive curriculum. This dynamic combination positions our students for success, both in optometry school and in professional practice.
SCO has a national reputation of excellence in optometric education, a hallmark of 94 years of educating optometrists. As you prepare for your interview, it might be helpful to review several key areas of success that have made SCO the right choice for our students.
QUALIFIED FACULTY
SCO has a highly qualified faculty, many of whom are nationally recognized as leaders in their areas of expertise. Our faculty members are dedicated to educating the best possible healthcare providers. With nearly 60 faculty members, SCO has an excellent faculty/student ratio of 9:1 and 4:1 clinically. This allows convenient access to faculty expertise critically important in preparing you for the profession of optometry.
INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM
To prepare for 21st century practice, your college of optometry must be dedicated to staying abreast of the latest technology and advances in optometric research and knowledge. Because Tennessee’s practice laws are among the most comprehensive in the country, our faculty can clinically teach a more extensive optometric program than may be found in most other states. As a student, you will receive instruction in ocular injections, pharmacological agents, and minor ophthalmic surgical procedures. Ophthalmic lasers are one of the most recent additions to our innovative curriculum. To enhance our students’ learning experience, service learning and interprofessional education are interwoven into our curriculum providing students with learning opportunities which complement what they learn in the classroom. SCO is committed to keeping up with instructional technology and strategies as well. Innovative teaching strategies, such as lecture capture and small group coursework, are encouraged.
NATIONAL BOARD SCORES
As Vice President for Academic Affairs, I am proud to note our high board passage rates that no doubt influenced your decision to consider SCO.
In 2023-2024, 86.7% of SCO first-time test takers passed the Applied Basic Science (Part I) portion of the NBEO exams compared to 65.8% nationally and 94.7% passed the PAM (Part II) compared to 84.2% nationally. The Part III first-time passage rate was 92.37% compared to a national average of 81.7%. These outstanding passage rates represent the quality of education and caliber of our students at SCO.
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES
As part of its commitment to providing the best instruction, SCO offers state-of-the-art facilities in which to learn your professional skills. SCO’s modern classroom and auditorium building supports best practices for both classroom and laboratory teaching. You may have heard about our clinical facility, The Eye Center, the Mid-South’s most comprehensive provider of eye health and vision care.
The Eye Center is the flagship of the clinical experiences offered at SCO. It was specially designed for optimal patient care and optometric education. Student interns may also have rotations through FocalPoint at Crosstown Concourse.
SCO students may also earn a Master of Business (MBA) degree at Christian Brothers
University while learning to be optometrists. This is particularly attractive to students who plan to open their own practice upon graduation.
In addition, SCO features:
• Expansive and updated labs
• A full scope library
• Computer Resource Center
• Access to a cadaver lab
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
SCO is committed to offering students opportunities to assist faculty in research endeavors. The college’s Summer Research Program partners students with faculty members for a variety of approved research initiatives. Students who participate gain exposure to hands-on research as they assist faculty with performing research procedures, collecting patient data, compiling research reports, and collaborating on the dissemination of the research results through academic papers and posters presented at optometry meetings such as the American Optometric Association or the American Academy of Optometry.
LIFELONG LEARNING
At SCO, we believe that learning doesn’t stop after graduation. SCO offers 25 residency programs with 52 positions. The post-graduate clinical training that our residents receive significantly enhances their clinical abilities. In addition, SCO hosts two annual Continuing Education weekends featuring high caliber, COPE-approved courses attended by alumni and other ODs.
The fact that you applied to SCO demonstrates your understanding of our institution’s strengths and opportunities. Your invitation to interview at SCO further establishes your potential as a successful student in our program. We look forward to meeting you and assisting you with your career goals.