About UHCO

Welcome to the University of Houston College of Optometry

We provide advanced training in modern eye care for future careers in clinical practice, teaching, and biomedical research since 1952.

A Message From The Dean

Welcome to the University of Houston College of Optometry, the only public optometry training program in the state of Texas. Our campus is located in the largest city in Texas and the 4th largest city in the nation, also home to the largest medical center in the world. We prepare students for modern clinical practice as primary eyecare providers in five different community clinic settings located in Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

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Michael Twa, O.D.,Ph.D.

Questions? Contact Us.

College of Optometry
J. Davis Armistead Building
4401 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Houston, TX 77204-2020
uhco@central.uh.edu
(713) 743-2020

Our Mission & Goals

The mission and goals of the University of Houston College of Optomtetry are to:
  1. EducateFuture leaders in clinical eyecare to serve their patients with integrity, respect, and compassion.
  1. PursueDiscoveries in biomedical research that advance our fundamental understanding of human health, the eye, and the visual system.
  1. ProvideQuality evidence-based care that improves health outcomes in our communities.

Our Vision

As one of the leading colleges of optometry in the nation, our vision is to be a community committed to excellence and innovation in optometric education, impact biomedical eye research, and evidence-based health care that improves individual wellness and public health.

 

Program Goals & Objectives

In 2022, the college completed out current strategic plan and articulated the following six major goals listed here.
Under each major goal, specific measurable objectives are identified.
Achieve student academic success
  • Graduate greater than or equal to 95% of matriculating students within 5 years.
  • Achieve less than or equal to 5% attrition due to academic underperformance.
  • Achieve NBEO passage rates at or above national averages.
Advance optometric practice and broaden participation across the health system
  • Maintain clinical training programs across a wide range of health care settings: private practice, employment, group, medical, academic, and community care settings.
  • Achieve greater than or equal to 30% annual participation in post-graduate residencies or fellowships.
  • Train all students in the principles and practice of evidence-based care.
Promote educational excellence
  • Provide faculty with annual teaching development resources.
  • Develop and implement a peer-review teaching assessment program.
  • Develop post-graduate practicum programs to complement didactic training.
Develop research impact
  • Rank in the top quartile for total NIH/NEI research funding nationally.
  • Train all students in the principles of scientific inquiry.
  • Achieve greater than or equal to 30% direct student participation in research by graduation.
  • Achieve greater than or equal to 5% pursuit of advanced post-graduate training annually.
Fiscal responsibility
  • Provide all students with educational resources in financial literacy.
  • Provide 100% of eligible 2nd to 4th year students with scholarship support.
Support community engagement that fosters ethical leadership
  • Develop and implement student peer-review system on professionalism and accountability for college values.
  • Expand project-based learning opportunities for public health and business practice courses.

Our Values

To achieve this vision, we have defined a shared set of core values that guide what we do in the classroom, in the care of our patients, and in the research discoveries we pursue.

Growth and Learning

We value life-long growth and personal development through the persistent and passionate pursuit of learning and excellence. We value learning based on experience and reflection that is also shaped by instinct and creativity to guide thoughtful and innovative decision-making. We promote growth in others through teamwork, mentoring, and collaboration.

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Reason

We value open minds, reason, truth, and critical thinking as we pursue evidence-based practices and inquiry-based learning.

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Integrity

We value personal and professional integrity, moral courage, and ethical responsibility as the foundation for all our decisions and interactions.

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Humanity

We promote basic human values of kindness, empathy, and mental and physical well-being. We demonstrate our dedication to these values through advocacy, respect, and commitment to the individuals and the communities we serve.

Humanity

UHCO Quick Facts

#1

Leading Institution in Myopia Research in the World

#2

In Research Funding Nationwide

50,000

Patients Seen Annually Across 5 Clinical Facilities

105

Degrees Awarded Annually

5000+

Alumni and Growing

$900,000

In Scholarships Awarded in FY23

Enhancing Health and Vision for Life