Optometry School Requirements
A GENERAL SURVEY OF THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OF OPTOMETRY
If you are planning to apply to a school or college of optometry, use this sheet only as a guide. Each institution publishes its own school catalog, which specifies its own requirements and procedures. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU OBTAIN A CATALOG FROM THE SPECIFIC SCHOOL OR COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY YOU PLAN TO ATTEND. The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is an excellent resource, students considering optometry should become familiar with their website.
Basic Pre-Optometry Course Requirements
There are certain college-level courses that all schools and colleges of optometry require you to take prior to consideration for admission. Use this list of courses only as a guide.
| Courses | Semesters | UK Equivalents |
|---|---|---|
| General Biology w/ labs | 1 - 2 | BIO 150, 151, 152, 153** |
| Microbiology w/lab | 1 | BIO 208 & 209 or BIO 308 & 209 |
| General Chemistry w/lab | 2 | (CHE 105 & CHE 111 lab) and (CHE 107 and CHE 113 lab) |
| Organic Chemistry w/lab | 1 - 2 | CHE 230, 231, 232, 233 |
| General Physics | 2 | PHY 211 & PHY 213 |
| English | 2 | CIS/ WRD 110 and CIS/ WRD 111 |
| Calculus | 1 - 2 | MA 123 or MA 113 |
| Statistics | 1 | STA 291 |
| Psychology | 1 - 2 | PSY 100 |
**Biology majors take Biology 148, 152, and 155 in lieu of Biology 150, 151, 152, and 153
The following courses are required or recommended:
| Courses | Semesters | UK Equivalents |
|---|---|---|
| Physiology | 1 - 2 | PGY 206, PGY 412G, or BIO 350 |
| Anatomy | 1 | ANA 209 |
| Biochemistry | 1 | BCH 401G |
There are additional course requirements which vary with each school or college. Consult each school's catalog. The science courses you take should be those designed for pre-professional students. Brief survey courses in the sciences will not prepare you for optometry school. Most science courses must include laboratory experience.
