Pre-Optometry

• Most optometry schools require the following courses:

  • General Chemistry I and II and labs

  • Organic Chemistry I and II and labs

  • General Biology I and II and labs

  • At least one upper level biology course

  • Physics I and II and labs (either alg/trig based or calculus based)

  • Microbiology

  • Calculus I

  • Introduction to Psychology

  • Introduction to Statistics

  • English Composition I and II

• Some schools require other science, math and and/or behavioral sciences.  It is important that you research the requirements for those schools in which you are interested.  Your pre-health advisor can help you with this research.
• Specific requirements for some area schools can be found at the following links:
• University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry
• Nova Southeastern College of Optometry

There are 22 schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and Puerto Rico. The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) maintains a detailed list of requirements by program.

• Many U.S. optometry schools welcome international applicants.  For the class of 2016 approximately 8% of matriculated students were from a foreign country.

• International students may be required to demonstrate English language proficiency as a condition of their admission.

• In order to receive financial aid students must be a permanent resident or citizen of the U.S.  Many optometry schools, that do accept foreign applicants, require that students prove the ability to finance all 4 years of optometry school prior to matriculation. 

• If undergraduate courses are taken at a college or university outside of Canada or the U.S., student is responsible for getting their course work verified by a credentialing evaluation service.

• The ASCO is a great resource for international students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in optometry.