Accreditation Council on Optometric Education

Profile of Accredited Programs, 2020-2021:

Accredited U.S. and non-U.S. Programs:

7,488

Students

25 Total Degree-Granting:

11	Public
14	Private Nonprofit
0	Private For-Profit

n/a Total Non-Degree-Granting:

n/a	Public
0	Private Nonprofit
0	Private For-Profit

Recognition Status as of 2020-2021:

Recognized by: Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education

Range of Accreditation Activity:

Professional optometric degree programs (doctoral level), optometric technician programs (certificate level), and optometric residency programs (postdoctoral level) in the United States and Canada. [Only professional optometric degree programs (doctoral level) are in the ACOE's scope of recognition by CHEA. Data provided below related to number of programs is limited to professional optometric degree programs.]

Sponsoring Organization:

American Optometric Association

International Accreditation Activity:

Non-U.S. institutions or programs operating outside the U.S.

U.S. institutions or programs operating outside the U.S.

Yes

Organization evaluates credentials or degrees from outside the U.S.

Program Countries

Canada

Operating Information for Accrediting Unit Only:

Budget:

$842,495

$182,897	Direct support from any sponsoring organization
$n/a	In-kind support from any sponsoring organization

Employees and Volunteers:

5	Full-time Employees
0	Part-time Employees
19	Volunteers - Served 2020-2021

Composition of Decision-Making Body

An eleven-member Council comprised of three practitioners; three educators nominated by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, one of whom with residency experience; two members who were members of the Association of the Regulatory Boards of Optometry at the time of appointment, two public members, and one optometric technician member.

Profile of 2020-2021 Accreditation Activities :

Frequency of Comprehensive Reviews and Required Follow-Up: At least every 8 years.

Frequency of Comprehensive Review of Accreditation Standards: At least every 5 years.

Summary of 2020-2021 Formal Actions:

0	Initial Candidacy or Preaccreditation Granted
0	Initial Candidacy or Preaccreditation Denied
2	Initial Accreditation Granted
0	Initial Accreditation Denied
0	Accreditation Continued Following Comprehensive Review
0	Accreditation Continued Following Comprehensive Review with Required Follow-up
0	Notice or Warning
0	Probation
0	Show Cause
0	Accreditation Terminated or Removed
0	Actions under Appeal
0	Other

Summary of Additional 2020-2021 Actions:

4	Substantive Changes Reviewed
3	Site Visits
0	Voluntary Discontinuance or Expiration of Accreditation

Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE)

Profile of Accrediting Organization, 2020-2021

38.6585969, -90.4081492