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Doctor of Optometry (OD)

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View Requirements

The first step in the admissions process is to ensure you’re on track to complete both the course prerequisites and application requirements in time to apply for your preferred year of entry.

Prerequisite Courses Print all prerequisite and admission requirements
Move your mouse over each prerequisite below to read details regarding the requirement.

General Biology or Zoology Qualifier

May not be an introductory course

General (Inorganic) Chemistry Qualifier

May not be an introductory course

Organic Chemistry Qualifier

May not be an introductory course

General Physics Qualifier

May not be an introductory course

General Microbiology or Bacteriology Qualifier

May not be an introductory course

Biochemistry Qualifier

May not be an introductory course

Psychology Qualifier

May be an introductory, general, or human development course

English Qualifier

May be an English Composition, English Literature, Writing or Critical Thinking course
May not be a Speech or Communication course

Prerequisite	Semester Units	Quarter Units	All prerequisites must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution (exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis) All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better (a grade of “C-” or lower is not acceptable) One course cannot be used to satisfy more than one prerequisite. All prerequisites must be completed by the spring term just prior to matriculation Only English and Calculus may be taken on an advanced-placement basis. Pass/No Pass will not satisfy the prerequisite courses. Foreign coursework must be submitted to an approved service for evaluation
General Biology or Zoology w/ lab	8	12
General (Inorganic) Chemistry w/ lab	8	12
Organic Chemistry w/ lab	3	4
General Physics w/ lab	8	12
General Microbiology or Bacteriology w/ lab	3	4
Biochemistry	3	4
Statistics	3	4
Calculus	3	4
Psychology	3	4
English	6	8
Anatomy and Physiology (not required but highly recommended)	0	0

Admission Requirements

Completion of prerequisite courses as outlined above

Minimum 90 semester or 135 quarter units of undergraduate coursework

Must be completed by matriculation at a regionally accredited U.S. institution

Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)

Official OAT scores must be received before application will be considered
Currently there are no time limits on scores or minimum score requirements

Letters of Recommendation

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required
Suggested sources:
- One (1) letter of recommendation from an Optometrist
- One (1) letter of recommendation from a professor
- One (1) letter of recommendation from your pre-health advisor

Although not required, having earned a BS or BA will likely strengthen your application

BS or BA may be in any subject

Proof of Legal US Residency - If Required

If you are an international applicant or any other applicant who is not U.S. citizen and is living in the U.S., you should be prepared to provide proof of legal U.S. residency at the time of interview.
Proof of legal U.S. residency is required prior to any offer of acceptance.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOFEL) - If Required

The TOEFL is required for all applicants submitting coursework from foreign schools
A minimum score of 213 for the Computer-Based test or 79 for the Internet-Based test must be submitted at the time of application
TOEFL scores are valid for two years
Exceptions:
- The TOEFL exam will be waived for permanent and temporary residents of the United States who have completed the English prerequisite from an accredited institution in the United States.
- English courses taken from foreign countries whose native language is English will be accepted (e.g., Canada, Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and the British West Indies)

Access to a Tablet PC meeting the minimum requirements

During the 2009/2010 academic year the College of Optometry requires the purchase of a Dell Latitude XT2 Tablet Laptop to be used in the program. Minimum requirement is subject to change each academic year.
Students who purchase through Premier.Dell.com before July 15th can receive a volume discount on the purchase. All laptops come with a 3 year warranty, with options to upgrade. All warranty issues will be handled between Dell and the student directly.

Read FAQs or contact us with questions

Make Yourself a Competitive Candidate
Admission to the program is competitive, so do your best to not only meet, but exceed the minimum requirements. To get a feel for the competitiveness of the applicant pool review last years’ national statistics for Optometry and read what the admissions committee recommends you do to maximize your candidacy.

Preparing and Submitting your Application
The apply now page will provide you with step-by-step instructions as well as an application checklist. There are a number of supporting materials that make up your completed application and it is essential that you print and carefully follow the checklist to ensure that you properly submit these pieces by the deadline.

We are happy to answer your questions as you navigate through the application process,
so please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help.

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