Nov. 30, 2021 — The New England College of Optometry (NECO) recently announced its partnership with Noodle, an online learning network, to develop a distance education doctor of optometry program.

The “Hybrid OD” program (which is subject to accreditation review and approval by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education and the New England Commission of Higher Education) is slated to fuse an interactive online learning environment with in-person, hands-on clinical training to offer a wider availability of optometric education.

“Students are increasingly interested in flexible learning opportunities that blend the best of virtual education with in-person clinical experiences,” says NECO president and CEO Howard Purcell, O.D, FAAO, 2020 #EBGameChangers honoree. "Noodle’s expertise in digital technologies and services solutions will help our academic team create the most engaging, impactful program. Over the course of the next several months, we will work together to build a curriculum and education platform that benefits the next generation of students.”

NECO shares that its faculty will develop the Hybrid OD curriculum and collaborate with Noodle to ensure a successful online component. 

“We are honored NECO chose to build its cutting-edge hybrid doctor of optometry program with Noodle, which we believe speaks to the quality of programs we have built thus far, particularly in the health care space,” says Lee Bradshaw, Noodle’s chief strategy officer. “We are confident that with a partner like NECO we can achieve a balance of innovation and academic rigor for NECO’s future program offerings.”