Optometry is a profession of specialists who diagnose and correct defects in vision. 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 very few schools require only college algebra and trigonometry, but most require calculus and statistics. 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 will have acquired a bachelor’s degree (in any major) before entry. The American Optometric Association has organizations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
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 course of study at UCA should be adjusted to suit the admissions requirements of the optometry school(s) to which the student plans to apply.