Master of Optometry
Course summary for local students
Student Information Centre
Tel 1300 334 733
enquire@deakin.edu.au
G = Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
S = Geelong Waterfront Campus
W =Warrnambool Campus
X = Off campus
| Award granted | Master of Optometry |
|---|---|
| Campus | Offered at Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus |
| Off-campus | No |
| Length | 1.5 years accelerated full time program delivered over four consecutive trimesters commencing in Trimester 1 |
| Next available intake | March (Trimester 1) |
| Indicative annual fee 2013 | No fees defined |
| Faculty contacts | Health - Student and Academic Services |
| Level | Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates) |
| Deakin course code | H710 |
Course commences 2014. (H310 Bachelor of Vision Science commenced 2012) | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Fees and charges
- Career opportunities
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Entry requirements - general
- Entry requirements - specific
- Credit for prior learning - general
- How to apply
Course overview
Offered as part of the Deakin optometry program, the Master of Optometry aims to build upon and reinforce the knowledge and applied skills acquired throughout the Bachelor of Vision Science (or equivalent) in order to develop the attributes, discipline-specific knowledge, professional behaviours and standards required to practise as an optometrist within Australia and New Zealand.
Throughout this course you will develop knowledge and understanding of optometric clinical assessment and procedures; ethical, legal and professional standards of practice; and acquire high levels of inter-personal and inter-professional communication, relationship management and commercial awareness. You will be provided life-long independent learning skills, and a commitment to both patient-centred care and evidence-based practice, that will enable you to practise professional in this field.
Work-Integrated Learning
Clinical placements are an integral part of Deakin’s optometry program. You will undertake a variety of short-term industry placements during the Master of Optometry and spend the final six months of the course as a ‘student resident’ in a range of clinical optometric and medical settings. These extensive clinical rotations will enable you to consolidate your knowledge and skills in supported environments under the supervision of qualified optometrists.
Clinical rotations may also include time in outer metropolitan, regional and/or rural settings.
Professional recognition
Students who successfully complete H710 Master of Optometry can apply for registration to practise as an optometrist in Australia. Completion of the Bachelor of Vision Science alone does not meet the registration requirements for professional practise as an optometrist and must be completed in combination with Deakin’s Master of Optometry (or equivalent program).
Deakin Optometry is in the process of being assessed for ‘accreditation with conditions’ by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ) – the accrediting body for optometry courses in Australia and New Zealand. This accreditation will then need to be confirmed after the first cohort of students graduate in mid-2015. The course curriculum is aligned to the competencies defined by OCANZ. Subject to accreditation, graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and as Medicare service, 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 providers, will be able to pursue employment opportunities throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Domestic students enrolled in this course may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study.
* The "indicative annual course fee" cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2013, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2013 can be viewed from the Unit Search.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.
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.
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
| HMO701 | Advanced Optometric Studies 1 (unit commences 2014) |
Trimester 2
| HMO702 | Advanced Optometric Studies 2 (unit commences 2014) |
Trimester 3
| HMO703 | Community Optometry 1 (unit commences 2014) |
Year 2
Trimester 1
| HMO704 | Community Optometry 2 (unit commences 2015) |
Requirements for Clinical Placements and Registration
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.*
Several clinical placement agencies require that students are vaccinated / blood tested before undertaking clinical placement and / or graduate employment. Deakin University Medical Centres provides detailed advice, blood testing and administer all necessary vaccinations prior to commencement of clinical placements and/or employment.
* 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
Entry requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.
Entry requirements - specific
H310 Bachelor of Vision Science or equivalent
Credit for prior learning - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University.
You can also refer to the Credit for Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
How to apply
Potential applicants should contact Optometry to discuss their application. Any subsequent applications must be made directly to the University through the Applicant Portal. Details of available courses and application closing dates can be found on the Apply webpage. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Your course may require further information in support of your application. Please refer to the faculty information website for further details.
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.
