Doctor of Optometry (OD)

Prospective Students » Optometry » Requirements

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.

Prerequisite
Qualifier
Semester
Units
Quarter
Units
  • All prerequisites must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institutions (exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis) or its equivalent abroad
  • 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.
  • All coursework taken from non-US institutions (excluding Canada) must be submitted to an approved service for evaluation
General Biology or Zoology w/ lab
  • May not be an introductory course
8
12
General (Inorganic) Chemistry w/ lab
  • May not be an introductory course
8
12
Organic Chemistry w/ lab
  • May not be an introductory course
3 
4 
General Physics w/ lab
  • May not be an introductory course
8
12
General Microbiology or Bacteriology w/ lab
  • May not be an introductory course
3
4
Biochemistry  
3
4
Statistics  
3
4
Calculus  
3
4 
Psychology
  • May be an introductory, general, or human development course
3
4 
English
  • May be an English Composition, English Literature, Writing or Critical Thinking course
  • May not be a Speech or Communication course
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
  • Methods of submitting letters of recommendation:
    • Electronic: Letters can be electronically submitted by the recommender to the application service or other services such as Interfolio or Virtual Evals.
    • Paper: Letters must be typed on official letterhead and must be signed by the recommender. Letter must be submitted in a sealed envelope that is signed over the seal by the recommender.
    • Email: Letters may be submitted by email directly from the recommender. The recommender’s email address should be a business or school email address.
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)

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 year’s 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.