Pre-Optometry Education

The Optometry Profession
Optometry is the primary health profession dedicated to caring for vision.  Through academic and clinical training, optometrists acquire the knowledge and skills needed to diagnose, treat, and prevent problems of the visual system.  Providing health education, managing curative or preventive regimes, and supplying vision care to special groups of patients are all part of an optometrist’s work.

Optometry Education
Curriculum at schools of optometry generally include instruction in all of the clinical and practical phases of optometry, as well as in the theoretical and fundamental aspects of visual science.  Throughout the professional curriculum, the relationships between basic and clinical science, theory, and practice, are continually emphasized.  Students often have the opportunity to spend a portion of their clinical time specializing in areas such as pediatrics, medical eye care, specialty contact lenses, low vision, and advanced primary care practice.  In general, professional programs leading to the Doctor of Optometry degree (O.D.) require four years of study beyond the undergraduate level.  

Some optometry schools provide tuition assistance to selected Nebraska residents.  For more information on these programs, students should contact each school individually or contact a Pre-Professional Adviser in the Arts and Sciences Advising Center.

Undergraduate Preparation
Undergraduate preparation for the study of optometry requires a strong foundation in the sciences and mathematics, as well as a background in the humanities, including English composition, literature and psychology.  Most optometry programs require the completion of at least 90 semester hours; many require a bachelor’s degree.  Because the academic programs tend to be very rigorous, most schools recommend the completion of a bachelor’s degree before entering optometry school.  Exposure to the field of optometry is strongly recommended.

Required and Recommended Courses
Specific admission requirements vary at optometry schools.  Students should consult with schools of interest directly to determine their admission requirements.  A list of each school’s requirements is also available at www.opted.org.  A list of generally accepted requirements is located below. 
Biology
General Biology with lab - 8 hours required
Microbiology with lab - 3 hours required
Physiology with lab - 3 hours required
Anatomy with lab – 3 hours
Chemistry
General Chemistry with lab - 8 hours required
Organic Chemistry with lab - 8 hours required
Biochemistry with lab - 3 hours
Physics
General Physics with lab - 8-10 hours required

Mathematics
Calculus – 5–10  hours required

Statistics - 3 hours required

Psychology
Introduction to Psychology – 4-7 hours required

English
English Composition - 6 hours required

Extracurricular Experiences
Pre-Optometry students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular experiences such as leadership roles, volunteer work, research, and shadowing, which will help them prepare for optometry school and the optometry profession.  Extracurricular experiences play a significant role in a student’s application to a professional school program.  Such experiences demonstrate a commitment and knowledge about the profession.  In particular, shadowing optometry professionals will help students learn more about the profession of optometry. 

Application and Admission
Students apply directly to each optometry school.  Generally, applicants must have a 3.0 minimum GPA in order to be competitive in seeking optometry school admission.  Most schools require applicants to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), which is now computer based and administered throughout the year at Prometric test sites.  Some schools consider the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) an acceptable substitute for the OAT.  Information about the OAT is available from the following organizations:  

Optometry Admission Testing Program
211 E. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Ph. 312-440-2593                                                  

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
6110 Executive Boulevard, Ste. 510
Rockville, MD 20852
Ph. 301-231-5944 or at www.opted.org

Applications are generally accepted beginning in August or September of the academic year preceding the anticipated date of enrollment.  Deadlines for applications also vary, with some schools having an application deadline as early as January 1.  For all specific application and admission deadlines, students must contact the school of interest directly.

Additional Resources
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
www.opted.org