The Clinical Doctor of Optometry program is a four-year academic program leading to a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. Our graduates are highly trained clinicians who begin patient care in their second year at the UH Health-Eye Care Center and in our Ambulatory Surgery Center, the nation's only on-site surgery center owned and operated by the University of Houston College of Optometry. During their training, students can choose a specialty clinical focus, conduct research, and have opportunities for community health service projects. Students enrolled in the O.D. program may pursue a concurrent Master of Science (M.S.) degree.

The Graduate Program in Physiological Optics leads to the M.S. or Ph.D. degree and prepares students to embark on a career in teaching and research in the basic and clinical vision sciences. Students in the program are mentored by graduate faculty who are renowned in their scientific fields. The program offers financial support for most students.

The Master of Science (M.S.) program requires two years of study and includes teaching experience and coursework that focuses on vision science, experimental design, and data analysis. Under the mentorship of faculty researchers, students will complete a basic or clinical research project and a written thesis. Graduates of the program may teach, engage in vision research in academia or industry or seek additional training.

A combined O.D./M.S. program is designed for second-year optometry students pursuing a M.S. degree in Vision Science concurrently with the Doctor of Optometry O.D. degree. The required training complements the O.D. student's coursework and focuses on experimental design, data analysis, and skills specific to the required research project. The research project can be an extension of prior research, generally carried out in a research-training program for O.D. students in the summer between first and second year. This training is useful for clinicians who want to include research in their future careers.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program requires at least four years of study and provides students with teaching experience, advanced knowledge of the diverse and multidisciplinary field of vision science, and a firm understanding in experimental design and data analysis. Students working in laboratories of leading scientists will develop the skills and knowledge necessary for them to conduct innovative research in basic and clinical vision science. Recent graduates of the Ph.D. program are pursuing careers that include teaching and/or research in academic institutions or industry settings.

The Clinical Residency Program offers post-graduates advanced clinical training and education in one of several specialized concentration areas of: pediatrics and binocular vision, primary care community based, brain injury, ocular disease, cornea and contact lens, low vision rehabilitation, and hospital-based eye care. This one-year intensive program practices direct patient care, teaching, and scholarly activity under the guidance of experienced clinical faculty.