Dual Degree Programs (OD/PhD and OD/MS Programs)

[drumstix]

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Hi,
Has anyone every done a dual degree program before with optometry? I am wondering what the general opinion and consensus is on these types of programs? They seem like a great opportunity for students who are research-oriented as well as clinically minded to obtain two degrees in a reasonable amount of time, such as 7 years?

Would any current students doing dual degrees at present recommend it? Or are there others who wouldn't recommend it? Are there any possible benefits/harms in doing dual degree programs of this nature?

Thanks in advance!

 

[drumstix]

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[PinkCupcake]

From what I could gather from my interviews it's not a very popular program. Usually one or two extra motivated students do it, but most choose not to. Personally, for reasons of money, many students choose to work straight out of school rather than take on more debt and more time to earn a degree they may never utilize (if you want to teach than a Ph.D would be good to have, obviously). Personally, I want to return and teach, but I don't foresee that for at least 10 years post-graduation.

 

[Squint]

NECO offers a concurrent OD / MS degree and the MS degree is free. See their web site. I know someone who took it and the MS opportunity greatly increased their knowledge level and was really worthwhile. On the downside , it is a lot of extra work, but if you are a strong academic it is a great opportunity especially at the price.

 

[drumstix]

NECO offers a concurrent OD / MS degree and the MS degree is free. See their web site. I know someone who took it and the MS opportunity greatly increased their knowledge level and was really worthwhile. On the downside , it is a lot of extra work, but if you are a strong academic it is a great opportunity especially at the price.

From what I could gather from my interviews it's not a very popular program. Usually one or two extra motivated students do it, but most choose not to. Personally, for reasons of money, many students choose to work straight out of school rather than take on more debt and more time to earn a degree they may never utilize (if you want to teach than a Ph.D would be good to have, obviously). Personally, I want to return and teach, but I don't foresee that for at least 10 years post-graduation.

Yes, I've heard that people who do these programs are kind of conflicted because you study OD for a bit, then that gets interrupted with the MS or PhD. research for a couple of years, then that gets interrupted to go back to OD to finish those requirements, then back again, so a lot of back and forth. But I was wondering if anyone has actually done it, or is in that type of program right now and can comment on it?

On paper, it sounds amazing, but I am just wondering how it is in a practical setting.. i.e., how the experience is for someone. Would they recommend it, or not?

 

[Jason K]

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[happymango]

I am merely an incoming optometry school freshman but am interested in research as well. These boards don't have a lot of information about dual degrees (you can do a quick search if you haven't already). If you would like more information, you should email professors at optometry schools who have earned dual degrees or just PhDs. Ask them why they got both degrees or why they decided that a masters was not sufficient and about their personal journey to get to where they are. Admittedly, I did this and am still unsure about what I want to do. It's difficult to know what you like until you actually do it, you know?

Some basic information ...

Not all optometry schools offer dual degree programs and not all the ones that do have good research reputations. Generally, schools established outside of optometry (i.e. state schools) have more reputable research programs. Optometry schools which offer OD/MSs and OD/PhDs include NECO, SUNY, UHCO, and OSU. I think ICO offers them too. You'll have to check for yourself if you're interested in any other optometry schools. In my experience, though, most optometry schools offer at least an OD/MS dual degree. I know Berkeley does not offer dual degrees, however.

During my interviews "on campus," I talked to students doing dual degree programs, actually only OD/MSs. Across the board, they said it's a little harder but not unbearable on top of going to classes for their OD. Also, generally OD/MSs are completed in 4 years. There is no extra time added for completing a Masters simultaneously. To do a dual OD/PhD seems a lot harder. I have not run into anyone who has done this yet the degree exists so somebody has to be doing it, I'm guessing/hoping. NECO's curriculum for the OD/PhD is laid out as follows: traditional 1st two years in OD program followed by entire PhD curriculum followed by last 2 years of OD program. This would be bad and NECO is supposedly trying to fix it because the first part of the boards is 3rd year.

Anyway, not a lot of good information on the internet. Ask actual people in real life at the optometry schools your'e looking at.

 

[Rain Clouds]

NECO's curriculum for the OD/PhD is laid out as follows: traditional 1st two years in OD program followed by entire PhD curriculum followed by last 2 years of OD program.

That's also how the majority of MD/PhD programs are laid out.

 

[abcdefj]

I have heard that the dual programs are not the best if you want to become a really good clinician AND a really good researcher. There is emphasis on both components so perhaps one will distract from the other. I guess it depends on how determined you are and what your goals are for the future.

 

[drumstix]

Yes, I've heard that too. Okay, so I guess it's not the best option. I guess this generalization can be made across the board for even MD/Ph.D. programs too?

 

[Rain Clouds]

It's definitely a more academic track. My sis is an MD/PhD, and she's planning on more of an academic track than a clinical medicine track - most people who want to just be clinicians just take it easy and get their medical license.

 

[drumstix]

It's definitely a more academic track. My sis is an MD/PhD, and she's planning on more of an academic track than a clinical medicine track - most people who want to just be clinicians just take it easy and get their medical license.

Yes, it seems to add about 1-2 years overall and I am assuming that's if there are no "glitches" along the way -- but with research, it's probably safer to anticipate problems as opposed to assuming smooth sailing. I was considering it myself, but I am not sure if it is a "good" option now. Maybe most of the OD/Ph.D.s out there got the two degrees separately..? Does your sister enjoy the dual degree program?

So to recap, it's like this for both the OD and MD dual degree programs with the PhD:
-4 years total for clinic (OD or MD) plus 5-6 years PhD curriculum (but they overlap).. so an additional 1-2 years on average?

Is that right? Or do I have this wrong??