Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry requires that students complete formal, hands-on training at approved clinical sites and practices during their fourth year of study. The year is divided into quarters, two of which must be completed at the University's health centers throughout South Florida. During these rotations, students are exposed to primary care optometry, pediatrics and vision therapy, cornea and contact lens practice, geriatrics, and low vision rehabilitation. Students must also complete an external rotation in the area of ocular disease management.
Finally, each must complete one "elective" rotation at any approved site of their choice -- this may be a specialty optometric practice, a multidisciplinary eye or health care center, or any of the aforementioned services at the University (space permitting).
Please Note: Information below is subject to change without notice. Every attempt will be made to keep the information up-to-date.
* Does not specialize in Ocular Disease.
List of NSU Externship Sites
| externship site |
location |
students per rotation |
| Aker-Kasten Eye Center |
Boca Raton, FL |
3 |
| Aran Eye Associates |
North Miami Beach, FL |
4 |
| Bascom Palmer Eye Institute |
Miami, FL |
3 (6 month rotation) |
| Braverman Eye Center |
Hollywood, FL |
3 |
| Center for Sight |
Pensacola, FL |
1 |
| Clayton Eye Center |
Morrow, GA |
2 |
| Coastal Vision Center * |
Fernandina Bch, FL |
1 |
| Commonwealth Eye Surgery |
Lexington, KY |
1 |
| CorrectVision Laser Institute |
Pembroke Pines, FL |
2 |
| Draisin Vision Group * |
Charleston, SC |
1 |
| Robert M. Easton, Jr, OD, FAAO, PA * |
Oakland Park, FL |
1 |
| Envision Eye Center * |
Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
1-2 |
| Eye Associates of Pinellas |
Pinellas Park, FL |
1 |
| Eye Centers of South Florida |
North Miami Beach, FL |
4 |
| Filutowski Eye Institute |
Lake Mary, FL |
1 |
| Ft. Lauderdale Eye Institute |
Sunrise, FL |
3 |
| Frantz Eyecare |
Ft. Myers, FL |
1 |
| Drs. Heiden & Heiden, PA * |
Hollywood, FL |
1 |
| Indian Health Services |
Multiple Sites |
Multiple |
| Katzen Eye Group |
Towson, MD |
1 |
| MacDill Air Force Base * |
Tampa, FL |
1 |
| MCR Health Services, Inc. * |
Bradenton, FL |
2 (students per quarter) |
| Milan Eye Center |
Cumming, GA |
1 |
| Omni Eye Services |
Atlanta, GA |
1 |
| Ophthalmology Consultants and The Center for LASIK |
Margate, FL |
1 |
| Richard E. Sorkin, OD, PA * |
St. Petersburg, FL |
1 |
| Shanghai Eye & ENT Hospital |
Shanghai, China |
2-4 |
| South Florida Laser Eye Center |
Plantation, FL |
1 |
| South Florida Vision * |
Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
2 per location |
| The Eye Center of Drs. Davis & Nguyen * |
Pembroke Pines, FL |
2 |
| The Eye Institute |
Melbourne, FL |
1 |
| Tianjin Eye Hospital |
Tianjin, China |
2-4 |
| Vision America of Birmingham |
Birmingham, AL |
1 |
| Vision Unlimited * |
Miami, FL |
1 |
| Walter Reed Military Medical Center at Bethesda * |
Bethesda, MD |
1 |
NSU Externship Programs at VA Medical Centers
List of NSU Externship Programs at VA Medical Centers
| externship site |
location |
students per rotation |
| VA Medical Center in Bay Pines |
Bay Pines, FL |
1 (6 month rotation encouraged) |
| VA Medical Center in Charleston |
Charleston, SC |
1 (6 month rotation encouraged) |
| VA Medical Center in Columbia |
Columbia, SC |
1-3 (competes w/other colleges; 6 month rotation encouraged) |
| VA Medical Center in Erie |
Erie, PA 1 |
1 |
| VA Medical Center in Gainesville |
Gainsville, FL |
2 |
| VA Medical Center in Lake City |
Lake City, FL |
1 |
| VA Medical Center in Miami |
Miami, FL |
1 |
| VA Medical Center in Orlando |
Orlando, FL |
2 Lake Nona
1 Lake Baldwin (If Nona full)
|
| VA Medical Center in Salisbury |
Salisbury, NC |
Depends on availability |
| VA Medical Center in the Villages |
The Villages, FL |
1 |
| VA Medical Center in WPB |
West Palm Beach, FL |
2 |
| VA Medical Center in Wilmington |
Wilmington, DE |
1 (6 month rotation encouraged) |
| VA William Bill Kling |
Sunrise, FL |
1-2 |