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Pre-Optometry

Advisor: Dr. Kari Naylor
Phone: (501) 450-5085
Email kknaylor@uca.edu

 

The Doctor of Optometry degree requires a four-year program of study in an
optometry school, preceded by at least 90 hours of college courses. The majority of
the required courses are common to most optometry programs. However, some
optometry schools require more mathematics and anatomy/physiology than
others. A few optometry schools require only college algebra and trigonometry,
but most require calculus and statistics. Optometry schools accepts student
majoring in any field of study, assuming the pre-requisite courses have been taken.
Students entering optometry school before having completed a UCA bachelor’s
degree might be able to complete the requirements for a UCA degree with their
optometry school course work, provided they have completed 96 credit hours of
prescribed course work at UCA. However, most optometry schools prefer
applicants who acquire a bachelor’s degree before entry.

 

Required courses for most optometry schools would include at least the following
courses: BIOL 1440, 1441, 2405 or 3406 and 3407, and 2411 or 3420; CHEM 1450,
1451, 2401, 3411, 4320; PHYS 1410, 1420; English/Writing, 12 credit hours; MATH
1390 plus 1392, (most schools require 1491 or 1496, and 2311); social sciences, 6
credit hours; PSYC 1300.

 

The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry provides information about the OAT, schools of optometry, contact information, and information on what it means to be an optometrist with specific information about 2023 student profiles and prerequisites.

 

The Biology Pre-OPT Learning Outcomes will allow you to plan and
understand the academic path needed to be a successful applicant to an
optometry program as a Biology major. Please contact Dr. Naylor for identifying a
plan of study for alternative majors.

 

Students are encouraged to carefully review the matriculation requirements of the optometry schools for which they plan to apply. The course of study at UCA should be adjusted to suit the admissions requirements of the optometry school(s) of the students choosing. For more information about the UCA Pre-optometry program please communicate directly with Dr. Kari Naylor, UCA Department of Biology.