Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry

CEO: Dr. Andres Pagan, Dean
Accreditation Liaison Officer: Dr. Angel Romero
Commission Staff Liaison: Terence Peavy, Vice President
Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools » Exclusively graduate/professional
Control: Private (Non-Profit)
Phase: Accredited
Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
Accreditation Granted: 1981
Last Reaffirmation: 2023
Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2030-2031

Contact Information

500 Carr Dr. John W Harris
Bayamon, PR 00957

(787) 765-1915

www.optonet.inter.edu

February 28, 2025
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of August 22, 2024. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2030-2031.
November 21, 2024
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of June 22, 2023. To note the follow-up team visit by the Commission's representatives to the main campus at 500 Carr Dr. John W Harris, Bayamon, PR 00957 on August 28-29, 2024. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2030-2031.
August 22, 2024
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due October 23, 2024, addressing the action taken by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and providing additional information on Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience, Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience, and Standard V: Educational Effectiveness Assessment. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2030-2031.
March 14, 2024
To note the Commission liaison guidance visit occurred on November 11, 2023. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2030-2031.
June 22, 2023
To acknowledge receipt of the self-study report. To note the on-site evaluation visit by the Commission's representatives to the main campus at 500 Carr Dr. John W Harris, Bayamon, PR 00957 on March 26- March 29, 2023. To reaffirm accreditation. To request a supplemental information report, due August 1, 2024, providing further evidence of (1) student learning programs that are characterized by appropriate assessment of student achievement throughout its educational offerings, at both institutional and program levels, with evidence that faculty and appropriate institutional stakeholders have considered and used assessment results to improve teaching and learning (Standard V) and (2) assessment of student learning and achievement that demonstrates that students have accomplished educational goals consistent with their programs of study (Standard V). To remind the institution that all materials and evidence must be submitted in English (Requirement of Affiliation 4). To direct a follow-up team visit following submission of the supplemental information report. To direct a prompt Commission liaison guidance visit to discuss the Commission's expectations. To note that Recommendation Responses in conjunction with the Annual Institutional Update (AIU) are no longer required. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2030-2031.
April 16, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of formal written notice from the institution in response to the Commission's request of March 9, 2020. To temporarily waive Substantive Change Policy and Procedures and allow the use of distance education to accommodate students impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) interruptions, in accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 5, 2020. Continued use of distance education beyond the limitations of USDE guidelines will require substantive change approval in accordance with Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. This flexibility is not available for clock-hour courses that lead to licensure if the licensing body will not accept distance learning courses or hours or give credit for them toward the number of hours a student must complete. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2022-2023.
March 5, 2020
To note that the Mid-Point Peer Review has been conducted. To request that, beginning in 2020 and in conjunction with each Annual Institutional Update prior to the self-study visit in 2022-2023, the institution provide further evidence of published information regarding student achievement, including student outcome measures (Standard IV and Public Disclosures Policy and Procedures).
November 15, 2018
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. To note that a follow-up visit will not be conducted. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026.
March 15, 2018
To accept the supplemental information report. To request a supplemental information report, due August 1, 2018, regarding the status of the institution. A small team visit may follow submission of the report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2022-2023.
October 19, 2017
To request a supplemental information report due December 1, 2017, regarding the status of the institution.
June 25, 2015
To accept the progress report. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2018.
June 27, 2013
To reaffirm accreditation and to commend the institution for the quality of the self-study process. To request a progress report, due April 1, 2015, documenting evidence of (1) further implementation of a sustained process for the assessment of institutional effectiveness at the unit level (Standard 7); and (2) further implementation of the process to assess the achievement of student learning goals in the new curriculum (Standard 14). The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2018.
November 20, 2008
To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2012-13.

Distance Education
Not approved for this delivery method
Correspondence Education
Not approved for this delivery method

Approved Credential Levels

The following represents credential levels included in the scope of the institution’s accreditation:

Master's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope to offer ONE program: Master of Science in Public Health
Doctor's Degree - Professional Practice Included within the scope

Main Campus
Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry
500 Carr Dr. John W Harris
Bayamon, PR 00957

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