Optometry

Preparation for admission to optometry schools includes successful completion of prescribed coursework and an acceptable score on the nationally administered Optometry Admissions Test (OAT). Enrollment is limited, and admission is competitive at optometry schools, which require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before acceptance or at some point early in the course of professional study. The preoptometry program at SOU is designed to prepare students for admission to the School of Optometry at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Because requirements for other schools of optometry are similar, students may prepare for the school of their choice by slightly modifying the courses taken. Contact the Department of Biology as soon as possible for an appointment with the preoptometry advisor.

Pacific University admits qualified students to their professional optometry program after they complete a minimum of 135 quarter credits, with the understanding that the bachelor’s degree must be completed within two years of admission to the professional program. SOU offers a three-year course of study that prepares students for admission to the professional program at Pacific University and allows students to complete the fourth year of the bachelor of science degree in biology by successfully completing the first year of the professional optometry program at Pacific University. The requirements of this joint program are below:

1. Complete all requirements for the biology major, except 8 credits of upper division electives and the capstone. Upper division electives must include Microbiology and Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy.
   
2. Complete all baccalaureate degree requirements (with the exception of #5 in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements on page 15).
   
3. Complete additional requirements for acceptance into the professional optometry program at Pacific University (e.g., psychology, math, and writing).
   
4. Students are awarded the bachelor of science degree in biology upon successful completion of the first year of the professional optometry program at Pacific University and demonstration of this to the SOU registrar.
   

Suggested Program

First Year

Second Year

Third Year