Optometric Education Section - Become a Diplomate
In May of 2010, the American Academy of Optometry Board of Directors approved the Optometric Educator Diplomate Program. Please contact the Optometric Education Section Chair, Dr. Aurora Denial, for additional information.
Introduction and Background
Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary defines a diplomate as one who holds a diploma and whose competence has been certified by a board of examiners. While this designation traditionally is used to refer to physicians who are certified in a particular area of clinical expertise, the term is also used to certify competence in a non-clinical area of study or scholarship. The American Academy of Optometry has applied the term in its broader contextual meaning. Therefore, within the structure of the Academy, both clinical specialties and non clinical specialties such as public health and vision science are recognized areas of achievement for the diplomate status.
The Optometric Education Section of the Academy, which contains 424 members, is a leader in optometric education. The mission of the Optometric Education Section is to serve the educational needs of its membership by advancing research, promoting innovation in optometric education, encouraging visionary thinking, supporting ethical practices, and affirming provocative concepts in optometric education worldwide.
In achieving its mission the Section:
- Initiates forums on research in optometric education.
- Disseminates knowledge of innovation in professional education.
- Serves a visionary role in the advancement of new teaching and learning methodologies.
- Advocates for faculty and students engaged in optometric education.
- Collaborates with other sections in the joint sponsorship of educational programs.
- Enhances the commitment of Academy members to highest ethical and professional standards of optometric education.
The educational process is the core foundation for the sustenance and advancement of the profession. Most optometric educators obtained their faculty positions because of a clinical expertise within the profession of optometry and identify themselves as both educators and clinical specialists. A percentage of optometric educators have identified the educational process as their primary area of focus and specialty. Although this group may also have a clinical specialty, their research, scholarly activities and interests lie in the area of education.
The Granting of Diplomate status in Optometric Education is recognition of a focus and expertise in education beyond the level of teaching responsibilities that are commonly held by most faculty and adjunct faculty. The Diplomate status will recognize advancement in the areas of scholarly activity, educational research, advanced education and the delivery and transfer of knowledge. The Diplomate status will distinguish those individuals who hold a deep commitment and a higher level of training in the educational process.
For information on the application and evaluation process, please visit here.