University Master's Degree in Optometry

Compulsory Training: 21
Optional Subjects: 21
Compulsory Internship 6
Master’s Dissertation: 12

Total ECTS: 60

The curriculum of the Master in Optometry has a total of 60 ECTS (1 ECTS = 25 hours), divided into 2 semesters of 30 ECTS each.
The first semester is devoted to compulsory subjects (21 ECTS) and electives (9 ECTS).
The second semester of the degree is dedicated to completing the elective subjects (12 ECTS), the Internship (6 ECTS) and the Master’s dissertation (12 ECTS).

• Admission profile

  The Master’s Degree in Optometry is designed for students who wish to broaden their knowledge in the field of optometry and vision, whether for academic, scientific or professional reasons. The hybrid structure of the programme balances theory and practice to suit the needs of those aspiring to pursue a PhD in the field of vision with a focus on teaching and research, as well as those working professionals seeking to update their skills to meet current challenges. In an environment of constant advancement in knowledge, it is crucial for professionals to keep up with trends and adapt to audience demands in new informational and communicative contexts. Therefore, the Master focuses on connecting theoretical concepts with practical applications, providing students with a comprehensive training.
  As far as languages are concerned, no officially accredited minimum level is required, but an intermediate level of oral and written comprehension in Spanish, Galician and English is recommended.
  In establishing the admission criteria, the guidelines established in RD 822/2021 of 28 September will be followed. In addition to these fundamental requirements, the Master’s Degree Committee may establish additional criteria based on the academic record of applicants.

• Minimum number of ECTS enrollment credits per student and school period

  Compulsory Training: 21
  Optional Subjects: 21
  Compulsory Internship 6
  Master’s Dissertation: 12

  Total ECTS: 60

• Tutorial action and reception

  La facultad cuenta con la colaboración de varios profesores/as que actúan como coordinadores académicos, y cuya función es tutorizar y asistir en sus decisiones académicas a los estudiantes propios y de acogida.

• Access

  Access

  Titulacións de Acceso:
  Preferencia 1: Graduado en Óptica e Optometría, Bioloxía, Farmacia, Medicina, ou equivalente.
  Preferencia 2: Outras titulacións da rama de Ciencias da Saúde.

  Admission

  Within each preference, admission will be based on the academic record.
  Access to the master’s degrees

The main objective of the master’s degree is to provide students with advanced training in optometry and vision, which will be useful for the completion of a doctorate related to the areas of knowledge related to this master’s degree. At the same time, it will provide advanced knowledge and skills that are highly suitable for the practice of Optometry. In detail:
1. To provide students with advanced, specialised and multidisciplinary training in the areas related to vision.
2. To train students to carry out work and studies in areas linked to scientific and research activities or aimed at other professional activities such as their incorporation into technological companies, work in R+D+i laboratories or the professional environment in the field of visual health.
3. To train future professionals capable of creating technological, innovative or high added-value companies.
4. To constitute a master’s degree offer complementary to the existing bachelor’s and master’s degrees and master’s degrees on the Vida campus and the general offer in the region.

• Competencies

  COMP01 – Ability to apply different perspectives of knowledge in Vision Sciences.
  COMP02 – Ability to make decisions based on scientific, technical, and clinical information.
  COMP03 – Capacity for reflection from different knowledge perspectives.
  COMP04 – To apply specific clinical criteria in specialised practice across the various clinical fields of visual care: paediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, vision therapy, low vision, ocular surface, and contact lenses.
  COMP05 – To apply the methodology and procedures of scientific research in Vision Sciences.
  COMP06 – Ability to communicate research findings to specialist, academic, and general audiences.
  COMP07 – To apply screening concepts in primary visual and ocular care.
  COMP08 – To develop critical and self-critical thinking and decision-making skills.
  COMP09 – To demonstrate the ability to effectively and flexibly address complex challenges in multidisciplinary environments.
  COMP10 – To apply knowledge of Immunology to any study in Optometry, designing experiments and using the most advanced techniques and tools.
  COMP11 – Implementation of pharmacovigilance knowledge and clinical practice guidelines in clinical care.
  COMP12 – To know the basic concepts of Low Vision, standard protocols, and to become familiar with the most basic visual aids available for people with visual impairment who retain some, though limited, vision.
  COMP13 – To acquire optometric skills for managing individuals with reduced visual acuity, from assessing their visual capacity to prescribing simple special aids.

• Abilities and skills

  A/S01 – To demonstrate skills from different knowledge perspectives in Vision Sciences.
  A/S02 – Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team.
  A/S03 – To develop the necessary skills for engaging in research in the field of Optometry.
  A/S04 – To participate in debates and discussions, to lead and coordinate them, and to summarise and extract the most relevant and widely accepted conclusions.
  A/S05 – To acquire the ability to use Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
  A/S06 – To use different methods of oral and written communication (e.g. presentations, posters, panels) to convey knowledge, proposals, and viewpoints.
  A/S07 – To acquire the skills required to enter specialised professional practice in the field of Optometry.
  A/S08 – To acquire the skills necessary to select the most appropriate treatments for improving patients’ symptomatic conditions.
  A/S09 – Ability to distinguish between learning difficulties that may arise during childhood and potentially persist throughout life.
  A/S10 – Ability to communicate effectively with paediatric patients and/or their parents or guardians.
  A/S11 – Ability to collaborate with colleagues during the visual assessment of a patient.
  A/S12 – To carry out the visual screening protocol in paediatric patients.
  A/S13 – To identify and manage the different techniques used in visual examinations of paediatric patients.
  A/S14 – To be able to identify and assess the specific signs and symptoms associated with dry eye.
  A/S15 – To be able to understand all aspects related to the ocular surface and the use of contact lenses.
  A/S16 – To be able to apply contact lens fitting protocols safely and appropriately.
  A/S17 – To be able to select suitable candidates for wearing specialised contact lenses.
  A/S18 – To communicate information to patients about their condition, remaining vision, and the expected outcomes of visual rehabilitation.

• Knowledge

  K01 – To demonstrate knowledge from different perspectives of knowledge in Vision Sciences.
  K02 – To demonstrate mastery of the principles, methodologies, and new technologies in Optometry.
  K03 – To demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for entry into specialised professional practice.
  K04 – To know the specific clinical criteria for specialised practice in the various fields of visual care: paediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, vision therapy, low vision, ocular surface, and contact lenses.
  K05 – To be able to apply screening concepts in primary visual and ocular care.
  K06 – To deepen the study of basic Vision Sciences as a tool for knowledge and support for professional and research specialisation.
  K07 – To establish links between potential vision problems and the normal learning process.
  K08 – To be able to use knowledge of pharmacovigilance and clinical practice guidelines.
  K09 – To know the different tests that enable a precise diagnosis of various learning difficulties.
  K10 – To know the techniques for analysis and interpretation of optometric data.
  K11 – To describe and recognise the characteristics of the child’s visual development.
  K12 – To be able to distinguish and understand the different procedures for conducting a visual examination in paediatric patients, including visual acuity testing, refraction, ocular health, and examination of binocular vision, oculomotor function, and accommodative status.
  K13 – To demonstrate knowledge in the study of basic Vision Sciences as a tool for knowledge and support for professional and research specialisation.

Mobility

At the USC, the mobility of own and host students is regulated by the Inter-University Exchange Regulations approved by the USC Governing Council on 6 February 2008 and published in the Official Journal of Galicia on 26 March Regulations for inter-university student exchanges at the USC (available at: https://www.usc.gal/en/institucional/goberno/area/normativa/alumnado).
The External Relations Service (SRE), which reports to the Vice-Rector’s Office for Degrees and Internationalisation, is responsible for student mobility programmes, both for its own students and for host students. It manages international exchange projects such as Erasmus and Erasmus+, among others. It also has an International Welcome Centre as an entry point for host students.
More information can be found at: https://www.usc.gal/en/services/service-units/mobility-office.

Internships

External internships are carried out as part of the curriculum, forming part of the study plan and the training project. It corresponds to a compulsory subject in the second semester with 6 ECTS. In accordance with RD 822/2021, they are an activity of a training nature carried out by students and supervised by the university, with the aim of allowing them to apply and complement the knowledge acquired in their academic training. The subject is equivalent to 10% of the credits of the master’s degree, which gives an idea of its importance and interest in the study plan. These internships are relevant due to the professional aspect of the degree, with special attention to those students with previous clinical training. Contact with the profession, whether at a clinical or research level, is highly recommended, and these placements are therefore subject to special promotion and monitoring. The Faculty of Optics and Optometry, in collaboration with the Master’s Degree Committee and the external placements coordinator, organises and manages the students’ external academic placements, guaranteeing their quality, academic recognition and use. It will ensure that the internships have an essentially educational function and that there are no abuses or distortions in their implementation. To this end, it is essential to have the figure of an internship coordinator, who will be in charge of contact sessions with the students who are awarded the internship both prior to the internship and during the development of the internship process.
Places are offered in companies in the optometry sector (optical centres, clinics, etc.) and singular research centres of the USC. The list of agreements in force at the Faculty of Optics and Optometry for internships can be consulted in the Internships section of the website: https://www.usc.gal/es/centro/facultad-optica-optometria/practicas-tute…. In addition, both lecturers and students may propose new agreements between the USC and other companies or institutions, which must be signed before students join the programme. The assignment of the centre is made in a public act in order of highest to lowest score according to the student’s academic record (RD 10/03/2011) according to the average mark of access to the Master’s Degree in Optometry.
Master’s internships are scheduled throughout the second semester and until the end of the academic year. The maximum time spent at the training destination is limited to a maximum of 40 hours per week up to a maximum of 120 hours during the internship period (approximately 4 weeks). At the end of the placement, the student will submit a final report to the Faculty of Optics and Optometry and the company tutor will send a Final Evaluation Report of the student to the academic tutor.

The Master’s dissertation consists of 12 ECTS credits. The enrolment, completion, defence and administrative processing of the Master’s dissertation will be carried out in accordance with the regulations in force at the University and the specific regulations of each centre. The size of the subject is equivalent to 20% of the credits of the master’s degree, which gives an idea of its importance and interest in the study plan. This work has a relevant character due to the research aspect of the degree, with special attention to those students who intend to continue their training with a doctorate or aim at private companies in the field of research. The Faculty of Optics and Optometry organises and manages the students’ Master’s dissertations, guaranteeing their quality, academic recognition and achievement. The definition, completion, defence, grading and administrative processing of the Master’s dissertation are carried out in accordance with the regulations in force at the University and the specific regulations of the Faculty of Optics and Optometry. The Master’s dissertation is oriented towards the evaluation of the competences associated with the degree. In the Master’s Degree in Optometry, the Master’s dissertation can be of two types: scientific research or literature review. In both cases, it will be related to any of the subjects covered in the degree courses. In it, students must demonstrate the knowledge and competences acquired in the Master’s Degree as a whole. The student must carry out and present an original work in which he/she demonstrates the competences acquired throughout the studies. It will include tasks such as literature search and review, critical analysis, systematisation and integration of information, writing and oral and written presentation.