La Plume/Elkins Park, Pa. – Keystone College and Salus University have signed articulation agreements enabling Keystone students to pursue professional degrees in Salus’ doctor of optometry (OD) program and its physician assistant (PA) studies master of science program.
The OD program, referred to as the “three plus four” program, is comprised of two phases: the pre-optometry curriculum at Keystone and the doctor of optometry degree program at Salus. Students who successfully complete a minimum of 90 credit hours in the pre-optometry program at Keystone and meet all additional requirements may apply for admission into Salus’ Pennsylvania College of Optometry’s doctor of optometry program. Keystone will confer a bachelor of science degree to students who successfully complete Phase I and year one of Phase II. Salus will confer the doctor of optometry degree to students who successfully complete the remaining Phase II requirements.
In the PA program, referred to as the “four plus two” program, students who successfully complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours at Keystone, earn a bachelor of science degree in the pre-physician assistant curriculum, and meet all requirements, may apply for admission to the Salus master of medical science in physician assistant studies degree program.
“This partnership is an excellent opportunity for Keystone College and Salus University to provide additional pathways to students pursuing careers as medical professionals,” said Keystone President Tracy L. Brundage, Ph.D. “Providing viable and obtainable career options is one of the many educational advantages that Keystone offers all of its students.”
Enrolling about 1,400 students, Keystone offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degree options in liberal arts and science-based programs in business, communications, education, fine arts, natural science, environmental resource management, geology, and social sciences. Located in La Plume, Pa., 15 minutes from Scranton and two hours from New York City and Philadelphia, Keystone is known for small class sizes and individual attention focused on student success through internships, research, and community involvement. For more information, visit www.keystone.edu.
Since 1919, Salus University, home of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, has been educating professionals in health science and rehabilitation. Based in Elkins Park, Pa., Salus’ four colleges offer curricula that feature inter-professional education and early exposure to clinical training and fieldwork. For more information, visit www.salus.edu.
