NECO’s Clinical Training Center

On August 25, 2025, NECO President & CEO Dr. Howard Purcell led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the College’s new Clinical Training Center (CTC), representing a bold step forward in our mission to educate the next generation of optometrists. Designed with modern technology and flexibility in mind, the CTC allows our students to hone their clinical skills in an environment that mirrors the complexities of today’s—and tomorrow’s—healthcare systems.

Formerly housed at 930 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, the return of the Clinical Training Center to Beacon Street speaks to NECO’s commitment to building and supporting community and ensuring student satisfaction in every aspect of the educational journey.

Some interesting facts about the new CTC:

• On average, students enter the Clinical Training Center (CTC) a total of 17,024 times throughout the year to practice and refine their skills.
• The new CTC includes one additional practice bay, providing students with an estimated 20–22 more hours of practice time per week.
• The new facility features two fully equipped teaching bays that open into a dedicated demonstration room. This allows for more dynamic instruction and group learning opportunities.
• The layout includes dedicated areas for large instruments like digital refractors, retinal cameras, and visual field machines.
• The setup introduces students to the latest industry technologies, supporting both their education and potential industry partnerships.
• As one of the schools graduating the largest percentage of the optometric workforce, this access is critical to maintaining our leadership in clinical training.
•  The CTC is utilized for approximately 30–32 hours of classes and labs per week, totaling around 1,012 instructional hours per academic year. This is in addition to the student-led practice hours referenced above.