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Is there anyone out there willing to explain the difference, benefits, disadvantages etc of doing the combined MSc/OD or just OD..
Thankss
Thankss
MSc/OD or just OD?
- Thread starter survivor1
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It's good to do if you plan to do research or teach in an academic setting (vs. clinical teaching).
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I was interested in this too. What advantages are there for a clinically practicing OD? Or is there just the benefit of getting into research at a later time, say if I wanted to practice for awhile then do something else?
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it really depends on what u want to do but the truth is....
if ur really_ambitious and want to have doors open for u that would otherwise be very hard to get into (e.g. academic leadership positions in optometry), then by all means do MS/OD. (though u probably will need to get PhD to really have stuff open, e.g. President of OD school, Dean of Science faculty, Editor-in-Chief of optometry journals, being on the invited international lecturer circuit, being "famous" within optometry, etc.).
that said, going down research is a totally different career path that is almost certainly going to be less lucrative, and less certain than PP, in the long run.
if ur really_ambitious and want to have doors open for u that would otherwise be very hard to get into (e.g. academic leadership positions in optometry), then by all means do MS/OD. (though u probably will need to get PhD to really have stuff open, e.g. President of OD school, Dean of Science faculty, Editor-in-Chief of optometry journals, being on the invited international lecturer circuit, being "famous" within optometry, etc.).
that said, going down research is a totally different career path that is almost certainly going to be less lucrative, and less certain than PP, in the long run.
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To my knowledge, I can't think of any advantage to having the additional degree if your sole intention is clinical practice. I doubt that patients will look at how many degrees you have when they are looking for an optometrist. (Maybe it would be a wow factor when they are sitting in your exam room looking at all of your degrees.) They are going to chsose based on your location, word of mouth, and what insurance panels you are on. As others have mentioned, have the additional Master's would be helpful, if not required, for research and academia.
If you need additional information, you are probably better off finding someone who has the MSc/OD and asking them.
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I am in the same boat wondering if I should apply for the OD/PhD program, I need to go talk to a representative to see how much of a "promise" I have to give as a freshman to going through with the PhD program if I get accepted. I like to teach subjects that I enjoy so I could see myself teaching some type of vision science/optics class if I ever get tired of treating patients (probably less stressful for me to teach for retirement when I get old 😛... ya I guess I am looking a little far ahead huh? 😛 o well). I could just wait and go back for the PhD but I know then it would be even more total years of school, but at least I'll probably have money to do it... idk i'm still have a lot of thinking to do I guess.
