Master of Optometry

2012 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2012 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Award granted Master of Optometry
Campus

Offered at Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus

Duration

1.5 years accelerated full time program delivered over four consecutive trimesters commencing in Trimester 1

Deakin course codeH710

Course commences 2014.

(H310 Bachelor of Vision Science commences 2012)

Course sub-headings

Course overview

The Master of Optometry aims to build upon and reinforce the intended course outcomes of the Bachelor of Vision Science to the standard of a Masters graduate and produce graduates that are able to be registered to practise optometry in Australia, and who are motivated to work in areas of workforce shortage. The course aims to produce graduates that are highly skilled in optometric clinical assessment and procedures, highly committed to ethical, legal and professional standards of practice and possess high levels of inter-personal and inter-professional communication, relationship management and commercial awareness. It will equip graduates with life-long independent learning skills, and a commitment to both patient-centred care and evidence-based practice, that will enable them to be the best practitioners possible.

Professional recognition

Students who successfully complete H710 Master of Optometry can apply for registration to practise as an optometrist in Australia. Graduates of the Bachelor of Vision Science will not qualify to practise as an optometrist.

 

Subject to accreditation (which will be determined when the first cohort of students graduate in mid-2015), graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Optometry Board of Australia (part of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)), the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board, New Zealand (ODOB) and the Australian Dispensing Opticians Association (ADOA). Once recognised to practise in Australia, optometrists can also register as a Medicare service provider, enabling clients to seek rebates for services received.

Career opportunities

Optometrists are expert in nearly all things concerning the eyes and visual system and can work in a variety of settings. Most optometrists (around 75%) work in private practice – which itself can be very diverse.  On a given day, an Australian optometrist may perform a primary visual assessment, treat advanced eye disease and dispense both prescription medicines and optical aids. At the same time, many optometrists are business owners and retailers.

 

Optometrists are perfectly situated to explore other employment opportunities, such as research, para-medical practice and work within vision-related non-government organisations.


Department of Human Services policy

In accordance with Department of Human Services policy*, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check prior to the commencement of clinical placements will not be able to undertake any placements.

 

Students will be asked to undergo serological testing prior to enrolment. Students may also be required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience.

 

* Department of Human Services Policy on Working with Children Check and Police Records Checks can be found at: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/facs/bdb/fmu/service-agreement/5.departmental-policies-and-procedures/5.6-police-records-check-policy

Fees and charges

Unit fees can be viewed within individual unit descriptions. You can search for a unit using the Unit Search.

 

Please be aware:

  • Fees are calculated on a per unit basis
  • Fees charged will depend on the individual units chosen
  • Fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and services

Course rules

H710 Master of Optometry is a four trimester 16 credit point course. All of the units in the course are prescribed and each unit is worth 4 credit points. Graduates of H310 Bachelor of Vision Science are eligible to articulate directly into this course.

Course structure

Year 1

 

Trimester 1

HMO701Unit description is currently unavailable (unit commences 2014)

 

Trimester 2

HMO702Unit description is currently unavailable (unit commences 2014)

 

Trimester 3

HMO703Unit description is currently unavailable (unit commences 2014)

 

Year 2

 

Trimester 1

HMO704Unit description is currently unavailable (unit commences 2015)


Income support

Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.

 

Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.