The number of full-time faculty at the 23 optometry schools and colleges in the 50 states and Puerto Rico grew by 2.9% this year to 777, according to the 2017-18 Annual Faculty Data Report published in March by ASCO. This follows a 5.4% increase from 2015-16 to 2016-17 when the number of institutions increased from 21 to 23.
The report also detailed some additional changes to faculty composition:
- The number of female faculty members increased 4.6% (now at 55.7% of total) and male faculty members decreased 0.9%.
- 34.2% of full-time faculty have tenure and 16.3% are on a tenure track at the 19 institutions offering tenure.
- The average age of didactic full professors is 60.3 years of age; 58.0 years for clinical full professors.
- For those becoming faculty within the last year, 35.8% came from a residency program; 19.4% from another academic institution; and 11.9% from an optometry practice.
The full report was made available to the Deans and Presidents of ASCO’s member schools and colleges in March. The public report can be reached here.