New Residents

Resident Selection

Keck School of Medicine of USC Department of Ophthalmology evaluates each eligible applicant for enrollment on the basis of professional and personal qualities of preparedness and motivation, ability and integrity, academic credentials and communication skills. The program does not discriminate with regard to gender, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status.

Applicants must fulfill the eligibility and certification qualifications outlined by the ACGME, the American Board of Ophthalmology, the California State Board of Medicine and Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Resident Eligibility

We accept seven new residents per year, selecting the best candidates from several hundred applications. In 2020, we had over 500 applicants.

Eligibility requirements include the following:
  • Completion of an approved medical school
  • Applicants must have one of the following qualifications to be eligible for appointment to Keck School of Medicine of USC Department of Ophthalmology residency program:
  • Graduates of medical schools in the United States and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
  • Graduates of colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
  • Graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada who meet one of the following qualifications:
  • Have received a currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) prior to appointment
  • Have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a United States jurisdiction. The institution does sponsor J1 visas and students with questions should contact the Office of International Affairs.
  • Graduates of medical schools outside the United States who have completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school.
  • In keeping with ACGME guidelines, effective July 2, 2021 our residency program will be moving to an integrated ophthalmology format where the 12 months of preliminary clinical experience (PGY-1) are integrated into the residency program. Applicants applying during fall of 2021 will be interviewing for the integrated ophthalmology program starting July 2022.

USC Department of Ophthalmology adheres to the requirements of the ACGME and Keck School of Medicine of USC. To be promoted, a resident must meet the training requirements at the time of recommendation and continue to meet those requirements through the end of the current contract year, as well as remain in compliance with all other terms and conditions of the House Staff Agreement.

To learn more about the opportunities available through the residency program at the Los Angeles General Medical Center/USC Roski Eye Institute, please contact Academic Program Administrator Michelle Cox at michelle.cox@med.usc.edu.

Current Keck School of Medicine medical students can learn more about ophthalmology residency at this Keck School Intranet resource.

Meet our Residency Leadership Team