In this specialised combined degree, you will learn about visual health issues and their impact on communities. You will investigate the structure and function of the visual system, gain skills in clinical assessment, and gain an understanding of management approaches, and ethical, legal, and professional standards of practice. The course will train you in the detection, treatment, and management of eye and vision disorders, and you will graduate with a recognised qualification in optometry.
Optometrists are primary eye care practitioners who are involved in assessing the health and function of the eyes and visual system and the diagnosis and management of a wide range of ocular conditions. Deakin’s combined Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry aims to provide you with the discipline-specific knowledge required to practise as an optometrist throughout Australia and New Zealand.
As you learn about visual health issues and their local and international impact, emphasis is placed on the underlying social and environmental factors that contribute to the health gap between these regional communities and well-served urban population centres.
Clinical placements are an integral part of the program. You will undertake a variety of short-term industry placements and spend the final six months of the course as a ‘student resident’ in one of a range of clinical optometric and medical settings. These extensive rotations take place in both metropolitan and regional or rural settings, and will enable you to consolidate your knowledge and skills in supported environments under the supervision of qualified optometrists.
As a graduate of this course, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and to Medicare as a service provider. Related careers include ophthalmic practice business owner, spectacle retailer, not-for-profit campaigner, and visual simulator designer.
Professional recognition
Students who successfully complete D302 Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry can apply for registration to practise as an optometrist in Australia. Deakin Optometry has been awarded ‘accreditation with conditions’ by the Optometry Board of Australia, following assessment by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ). Graduates of D302 Bachelor of Vision Science/ Master of Optometry will therefore be eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and to Medicare as service providers, making them able to pursue employment opportunities throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Note: This course is currently accredited (with conditions) as at the date of publishing.
Career opportunities
Optometrists are primary eye care practitioners who are involved in assessing the health and function of the eyes and visual system and the diagnosis and management of a wide range of ocular conditions, Optometrists work in a variety of health care settings, with the great majority working in a private practice environment – which itself can be very diverse. On a given day, an Australian optometrist may perform a primary visual assessment, manage a newly identified eye disease, prescribe a prescription medicine, or prescribe, fit and dispense optical aids. At the same time, many optometrists are business owners and retailers.
Some optometrists use their qualification to engage in other employment opportunities, such as research, other para-medical practice and work within vision-related non-government organisations.
Following successful completion of the Deakin Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry, Deakin graduates are well prepared for employment in a diverse range of work settings including, but not limited to: hospitals, clinics, health services, state and local governments, non-government organisations, research institutes, tertiary education institutions, private practice, and corporate and community settings. Career and employment opportunities for qualified optometrists include private and public eye care, practice ownership, research and teaching, other ophthalmic practices, and recognised specialties within optometry such as low vision, paediatric vision, and behavioural optometry.
Alternative exits
Bachelor of Vision Science (H310)
Requirements for Clinical Placements and Registration
In accordance with Department of Human Services policy*, 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. Students are also required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of the course, andare required to read, understand and comply with the School of Medicine Infectious Diseases and Immunisation Policy. Failure to comply with this policy, or obtain a Working with Children Check, may also prevent students from undertaking clinical 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.
Students will be expected to purchase some specialist equipment during their course, and there may be some additional costs associated with your clinical placements. Further details will be provided during your enrolment. Students should expect to spend around $5,000 ($1,500 and $4,000) on equipment. Life expectancy of the equipment is around 15 years.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry students must attain 40 credit points. This is an accelerated three and a half year course delivered over ten consecutive trimesters commencing in Trimester 1. All the units in the course are core (these are compulsory).
The course rules are listed at BVisSci/MOptom Course Rules. Students must pass all first year units, or be granted credit for prior learning for these units, before proceeding to second year.
Course structure
Units
Course structure applies to students who commenced in 2015 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2015 should refer to previous online Handbooks or consult your course enrolment officer.
Students must enrol in the Waurn Ponds offering of all units
