Business Details
Your Future in Optometry Starts Here
New England College-Optometry (NECO) stands as a pioneering institution in optometric education, founded in 1894 and recognized globally for its innovative approach to training eye care professionals. Our mission centers on transforming how people perceive the world through rigorous academic curricula, cutting-edge clinical training, and a commitment to advancing eye health. With a focus solely on optometry, we provide students with unparalleled access to hands-on learning experiences, including early clinical exposure starting within the first month of enrollment. Our community-based clinical training model, the first of its kind, immerses students in diverse healthcare settings such as community health centers, VA hospitals, and international sites, fostering cultural competence and multidisciplinary collaboration. NECOs faculty comprises respected clinicians and researchers who lead advancements in areas like myopia control, low vision rehabilitation, and telehealth. As the oldest continuously operating optometry school in the U.S., we maintain a legacy of excellence while continuously adapting to technological and societal changes.Our graduates emerge not only as skilled practitioners but as advocates for equitable eye care access, serving communities locally and globally. The institutions state-of-the-art facilities, including the Clinical Training Center and Innovation Center, ensure students train with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. NECOs supportive academic environment, characterized by peer mentorship and personalized career guidance, prepares students for leadership roles in private practice, academia, and public health. With a diverse student body representing over 30 countries and a strong alumni network, NECO remains dedicated to shaping the future of optometry through education, research, and community engagement.
Services
Doctor of Optometry Program
Accelerated OD Program
Clinical Training Rotations
Vision Science Research
Community Eye Care Clinics
Student Mentorship Programs
Career Development Services
Telehealth Innovation
International Education Partnerships
Low Vision Rehabilitation
Highlights and features
- We offer 130+ years of leadership in optometric education.
- Our community-based clinical model trains students in diverse, real-world settings.
- We pioneered the first optometry school-based clinical training center.
- Our faculty includes nationally recognized researchers and clinicians.
- We maintain 150+ clinical affiliations across 30 U.S. states and international sites.
What people say
Hands-on clinical experience
Supportive faculty and peers
Diverse patient exposure
Strong career preparation
Innovative curriculum
Services
Doctor of Optometry Program
NECO's four-year OD program provides foundational knowledge in visual sciences and clinical skills through classroom instruction and hands-on patient care. Students complete 2110 clinical hours, including rotations in community health, ocular disease, and specialty care. The curriculum emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration and prepares graduates for licensure and practice in diverse settings.
Clinical Training Rotations
Students gain experience through four full-time externships in their final year, including community health, ocular disease, and elective specialties. Rotations occur at 150+ sites across the U.S. and internationally, exposing students to varied patient populations and practice models while developing diagnostic and treatment decision-making skills.
Vision Science Research
NECO faculty and students conduct research in areas like myopia development, low vision rehabilitation, and telehealth innovations. Opportunities include summer research programs, participation in the Innovation Center's technology testing, and collaboration with industry partners to advance eye care practices and patient outcomes.
Community Eye Care Clinics
NECO operates nine affiliated clinics in Boston and beyond, providing accessible eye care to underserved populations. Students work alongside licensed optometrists to deliver primary and specialty services, including vision screenings for schoolchildren and low vision rehabilitation, while gaining experience in community health outreach.
Student Mentorship Programs
First-year students are paired with upperclassmen for peer mentorship, fostering academic success and social integration. The program includes peer tutoring, shared note-taking, and guidance through the transition to optometry school, creating a collaborative learning environment that extends beyond the classroom into clinical training.
People
Kristen Tobin
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Kristen Tobin oversees student support services at NECO, focusing on academic success and well-being. With extensive experience in higher education administration, she leads initiatives to enhance student engagement and professional development.
Dr. Amy Moy
Faculty Member
Dr. Amy Moy contributes to NECO's clinical programs through teaching and research. She participates in alumni engagement initiatives and shares insights on the college's evolving clinical education strategies during virtual events.
Questions
What degree programs does NECO offer?
NECO offers a Doctor of Optometry (OD) program, accelerated and international OD tracks, an MS in Vision Science, and dual-degree options.
How does NECO's clinical training differ from other schools?
NECO pioneered community-based clinical training, placing students in diverse settings like community health centers and VA hospitals for multidisciplinary experience.
Are there research opportunities for students?
Yes. Students collaborate with faculty on research in myopia, low vision, telehealth, and participate in summer research programs.
What support services are available to students?
NECO provides academic advising, career services, peer mentorship, housing assistance, and mental health resources through the Center for Academic and Professional Achievement.
Does NECO offer international study opportunities?
Yes. Students can complete rotations in China, Canada, the UK, and Indigenous health centers in Alaska and New Mexico through global partnerships.
How does NECO support career development?
Career services include alumni networking, job fairs, entrepreneurship courses, and board exam preparation in a replica NBEO testing environment.
