Preprofessional
Curriculum

College Admissions
Requirements

Alumni and Foundation
Associations

Non-Academic
Policies

College Web Site

College of Optometry

Preprofessional Curriculum

Academic Prerequisites

Optometric practice is based on concepts of human relations, mature judgment, and mastery of scientific knowledge. Therefore, scholastic preparation for the study of optometry requires a background in the humanities (including English composition and literature, history, and philosophy), the sciences, and mathematics.

To be considered for admission to the College of Optometry, students must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours of undergraduate study. Most applicants, however, earn baccalaureate degrees prior to enrollment. By the year 2000, a baccalaureate degree will be required for all matriculants. At least 60 semester hours of prerequisite math/science courses must be completed satisfactorily (see Math/Science Requirements). The remaining semester hours must be in the humanities and social sciences (other than psychology). Elective courses that are especially relevant to optometry are listed in the university's Undergraduate Studies catalog.

Students who have not earned a baccalaureate degree prior to enrollment must complete university course requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree before beginning the third year in optometry. Courses in optometry fulfill requirements for total credit hours and for credit hours in a major field of study. University requirements must also be met. Since the first two years in optometry entail full course loads, students are strongly urged to earn a bachelor's degree and to complete the specific baccalaureate degree requirements before entering optometry school (refer to the Undergraduate Studies Catalog).

A four-year pre-optometry curriculum model can be found in the Undergraduate Studies catalog. Completion of the first three years fulfills minimum course requirements for admission.

Professional Degree Program

The educational program in optometry requires four academic years and two summer sessions. All fourth-year students begin studies just after the end of their third academic year. One-third of the fourth-year class serves external multidisciplinary primary care clinical rotations during each of the three semesters. One-third serves in an external medical setting, and one-third rotates through specialty clinics each term. Didactic courses are taken during the specialty clinic rotation. Students must satisfactorily complete a total of 177 semester hours, at least seven hours of which must be in approved electives. With permission of the associate dean for graduate studies, students may also take graduate courses in physiological optics for elective credit in the professional degree program.