Preparing for a Career in Optometry
Once you have decided to pursue a career in optometry, you should:
- Read the Pre-Healthcare FAQ that provides general advice for students considering healthcare careers.
- Familiarize yourself with the information on this page.
- Visit websites such as:
- Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)
Learn more about the organization that advances and promotes optometric education. - American Optometric Association (AOA)
Learn more about the organization that sets professional standards, lobbies on behalf of the optometric profession, and provides research and education leadership.
- Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)
- Try to attend the meetings of and consider joining the Miami Pre-Optometry Club. This student-run organization is there to help you attain your goal of becoming an optometrist. Also, check out the opportunities offered by the Center for Visual Sciences at Miami.
For any questions you have about preparing for a career in optometry, please contact:
Dr. Katia Del Rio-Tsonis
Department of Biology
244 Pearson Hall
(513) 529-3128
delriok@MiamiOH.edu
Pre-Optometry Coursework
| Subject | Courses |
|---|---|
| English | 1 year or equivalent |
| Calculus (1 semester) |
MTH 151 |
| Statistics (1 semester) |
STA 261 |
| Biology (1 year) |
BIO/MBI 115, 116 |
| Microbiology (1 semester) |
MBI 201 |
| Physiology (1 or 2 semesters) |
BIO 305, 45x |
| General Chemistry (1 year with lab) |
CHM 141, 144 and CHM 142, 145 |
| Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry (1 year) |
CHM 241, 244, and 242, 245 or CHM 231, 332 |
| Physics (1 year with lab) |
PHY 161, 162 or PHY 191, 192 |
| Psychology (1 semester) |
PSY 111, 112 |
Additional Requirements
Some schools do not require all of these courses and some schools may require or recommend other courses such as Comparative Anatomy (BIO 201) or Developmental Psychology (PSY 231). With respect to advanced chemistry, schools may require as little as 1 semester of Organic Chemistry to as much as 1 year of Organic Chemistry plus 1 semester of Biochemistry. The CHM 231 and CHM 332 combination is the best choice for some, but not all, schools. Contact the schools you are interested in to check admission requirements.
Applying to Optometry School
Admission to optometry schools is competitive and schools choose among many qualified applicants. Evaluation of candidates is based on largely objective criteria. A high overall GPA and sciences GPA are important. Other important factors are:
- competitive Optometry Admission Test (OAT) score
- strong letters of reference
- evidence of leadership potential as demonstrated by a few carefully chosen extracurricular activities
- well-developed interpersonal skills
Optometry Admission Test
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is available only by computer. Application information, preparation material, and test sites (Thomson Prometric Centers) may be obtained from the ASCO page above or by calling (312) 440-2693 or (800) 232-2159. It is advisable to take this in February of the year preceding application.