Optometry is a field that requires advanced education and training. As a result, pre-optometry students can prepare for their careers at a variety of colleges. This guide will provide you with information on the requirements for becoming an optometrist as well as some of the best schools to attend if you want to pursue this exciting career path.
# Step 4: What’s next?
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Colleges That Offer Pre Optometry Majors
Benedictine University
Benedictine University is a private, liberal arts university located in Lisle, Illinois. Benedictine University offers Bachelor of Science degrees in optometry. The school is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is also certified by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Barry University
Barry University is a private, not-for-profit, Catholic university located in Miami Shores, Florida. Barry University offers a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Pre-Optometry concentration; this program can be completed in five years or less.
Bethel University
Bethel University is located in St. Paul, Minnesota and offers a Bachelor of Science in biology with an emphasis on molecular and cellular biology. For those students interested in optometry but who have not yet developed a specific interest or area of specialization, this program provides a solid background in pre-optometry classes as well as providing electives that focus on vision science. Students who complete this degree can then apply for admission to the University’s Master of Science in Optometry program.
Bethel also offers a Bachelor of Science in chemistry with an emphasis on organic chemistry that would appeal to those who want to get into the field of ophthalmology, because it gives them necessary knowledge about how drugs affect the eye and how they interact with other body systems such as the nervous system or stomach lining
Biola University
Biola University is a private, nonprofit Christian university located in La Mirada, California. It was founded by the Churches of Christ in 1913 as “Biblical Institute of Los Angeles” and received its current name in 1935. Biola offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs through its nine schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Business; School of Education; School of Music & Creative Arts; School of Psychology & Counseling; Talbot Theological Seminary (for training pastors); Thrasher-Horne Center for Biblical Studies (for life-long learners); Graduate School and LLM Programs.
Biola is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). It also has several accreditations from professional associations including AACSB International Quality Improvement System for business schools, CACREP Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education Program Accreditors Council on Education in Journalism & Mass Communication American Psychological Association
California State University, Long Beach
- CSULB offers a pre-optometry program.
- CSULB is a public university.
- CSULB is located in Long Beach, California.
- CSULB is a 4-year school with an open admissions policy that offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts and sciences, engineering, education and more; master’s degrees in business administration, education and others; doctoral programs for physicians and dentists as well as postdoctoral clinical research training programs for medical doctors; as well as graduate degree programs such as nursing or doctor of optometry (O.D.)
Clarke University
- Clarke University has a pre-optometry program.
- The pre-optometry program at Clarke University is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), which means that it meets all of the educational standards for optometrists and will prepare you for entry into an accredited optometry school after graduation.
College of Saint Mary
College of Saint Mary (CSM) is a private, Catholic institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. CSM has a strong emphasis on community service and offers many opportunities to its students to become involved with local organizations. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
CSM’s Pre Optometry program includes introductory courses that prepare students for admission to optometry school and clinical experience for first-year optometry students. A bachelor’s degree must be earned before applying for graduate school at an optometry program; CSM offers Bachelor’s degrees in biology or chemistry along with several other options that can be paired with your pre-optometry major such as religious studies or psychology.
Creighton University
Creighton University is a Jesuit university located in Omaha, Nebraska. The university has 2,700 undergraduate students with an average class size of 21 students. The academic calendar consists of two semesters and one summer session, which takes place between the spring semester and fall semester. Students must complete 120 credit hours to graduate from Creighton University.
In addition to its pre-optometry program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Optometry Education (ACOE), Creighton University offers several other optometry programs:
- Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree – 3 years
- Master in Science in Vision Science – 2 years
Duquesne University
Duquesne University is a private, coeducational university, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The university is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church through the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh.
The school was founded by Father Edward F. Sorin on September 8, 1878 as Duquesne College at Wylie Avenue and Loyalhanna Street in downtown Pittsburgh. It was named after an early French settler to the area: Colonel David L’Eveque de Quenquechose (1659-1730), who was also known as “le chevalier de Quenquechose” or “the knight of something”. In 1923 it changed its name to simply Duquesne University when it moved across town to its current location on what today is called the North Side of Pittsburgh.[2]
Illinois College of Optometry
The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) is a private, not-for-profit, professional school of optometry, founded in 1898. ICO offers degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Department of Pre-Optometry is available to students who have completed their sophomore year at another college or university and wish to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program and ultimately become an optometrist.
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is a public university in the state of Indiana, United States. It is a member of the Purdue University System and one of three universities that are part of Indiana’s metropolitan statistical area. IUPUI has more than 29,000 students enrolled on its campus.
IUPUI was ranked as one of America’s top 100 research universities by U.S News & World Report in 2018 making it one of only six schools in Indiana to receive this honor. The school also ranked high for its student diversity with over 30% being nonwhite students according to their 2017 enrollment statistics; it also has a large international student population with approximately 43% coming from outside the U.S., making IUPUI an excellent choice if you want to study abroad while earning your degree!
Inver Hills Community College – Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (MNSCU)
Inver Hills Community College offers a pre-optometry program that is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (MNSCU). In addition to its main campus in Inver Grove Heights, MN, this two-year college also has campuses at Apple Valley, Brooklyn Park and White Bear Lake.
Kent State University at Kent
Kent State University at Kent offers a Bachelor of Science in Optometry. The program is administered by the College of Optometry and can be completed in five years, including summers. The university has invested in new facilities for students looking to study optometry and is committed to providing a high-quality education that prepares graduates for success as practicing optometrists.
Lakeland Community College – Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)
Lakeland Community College is a public 2-year institution located in Kirtland, OH. Lakeland Community College offers a Pre Optometry program.
Pre-optometry students can prepare for their careers at a variety of colleges.
Students who are looking to become optometrists can prepare for their careers at a variety of colleges, including those that offer pre-optometry as a major. A bachelor’s degree in pre-optometry is largely focused on chemistry and biology courses, while master’s degrees require more advanced coursework.
Closing
Pre-optometry students can prepare for their careers at a variety of colleges. There are many options available, but this list should help you get started and make an informed decision about where to apply based on your needs and preferences. Good luck!