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Cal Poly Pomona

Pre-Optometry

Post-baccalaureate degree: OD

Optometrists are trained to provide eye-care for people who have vision problems or develop them as a result of reduced ability to adjust their eyes to changing light and distance, a problem that often appears as we age. Optometrists spend much of their time assessing the vision status of each patient to provide individualized lenses, in the form of contact lenses or glasses. Recently, optometrists have also begun to perform laser surgeries on the eye and to specialize in low-vision care.

Minimum Pre-requisites for Admission in General

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution is preferred
  • Each program has its own prerequisites. Check specific school for detail prerequisites.
  • General Course prerequisites include the following (at least 3 years of pre-optometric study, minimum 135 quarter units prior to admission):
    • One year of General Biology with lab
    • One year of General Chemistry with lab
    • One year of Organic Chemistry with lab
    • One year of General Physics with lab
    • One year of English
    • Mathematics (Calculus)
  • Other courses recommended and/or required:
    • Anatomy
    • Reading and Composition (two writing courses or two literature)
    • Cellular Physiology
    • Neurophysiology
    • Biochemistry
    • Microbiology
    • Statistics
    • Psychology
    • American History and Institutions (without a Bachelor’s degree)

Tests Needed

Optometry Admission Test (OAT)

Registration: http://www.opted.org

Optometric Admission Testing Program
211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1846
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
(312) 440-2693

Sponsored by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)

Try to take it in Junior after the completion of the basic requirements in biology, chemistry and physics.

Association

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)

American Optometric Association
243 North Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri 63141

California Dental Schools

University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry (UCB)

The Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) in Fullerton
Western University in Pomona