Professional Development

A strong, vibrant and engaged faculty is central to advancing optometric education and graduating the next generation of superb Doctors of Optometry. ASCO facilitates faculty promotion and development through a variety of initiatives including leadership development opportunities for current and future faculty. The biannual Summer Institute for Faculty Development and the Future Faculty Program are highly successful signature opportunities provided by ASCO with the generous support of our corporate partners.

ASCO devotes resources to recruitment programs aimed at promoting academic optometry as a rewarding career option. Achieving a more diverse faculty continues to be a major focus, and part of a broader effort to help member institutions embrace and serve diverse student communities. The demands on faculty are constantly changing, and ASCO serves as a primary resource to develop the skills and knowledge base required to meet these demands.

ASCO also supports member institutions in attracting and developing new faculty, rewarding and retaining current faculty and encouraging the development of new researchers and PhD scholars.

Optometric Education Leadership Institute

Summer Institute for Faculty Development (SIFD)

Future Faculty Program (FFP)

Educational Starter Grants

Faculty Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities for ODs in Academia: Teaching & Research Needs (PowerPoint presentation)