Required Courses

Additional Requirements

Optometry schools are four-year professional schools leading to the Doctor of Optometry degree. As such they consider for acceptance students that have completed the undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree.

Required college courses for these programs include:

  • 8 credits in general biology
  • 8 credits in anatomy and physiology (for some programs)
  • 8 credits in general chemistry
  • 8 credits in organic chemistry
  • 4 credits in biochemistry
  • 4 or 8 credits in mathematics
  • 8 credits in physics

A variety of other courses are recommended depending on the specific school. In general, the courses required for graduation from Concordia are also acceptable to schools of optometry. Pre-optometry students work closely with the HPAC as they prepare for a successful application.

Colleges of optometry require applicants to take the Optometric Admissions Test (OAT). Generally, the OAT is taken when the student has completed the required science courses.

Successful applicants commonly have volunteer and work experience in the field. Participation in Concordia’s Cooperative Education in Optometry program increases the likelihood of acceptance by professional programs.