Academic Requirements

 

Doctor of Optometry Degree

Applicants to the Doctor of Optometry program need to demonstrate at least three years of undergraduate preparation. Within this period of study the student must have credits for the following specific course work:

• One semester or two quarters of Statistics is recommended, but not required.

Prerequisite courses form the entering knowledgebase for our optometry program. Therefore to demonstrate mastery of this knowledgebase, we require a grade no lower than C in these courses. If a grade of less than C is attained in a prerequisite course the requirement may be waived if the student has received a score of no lower than 300 on the corresponding section of the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT). Prerequisite courses taken at a community college may be accepted; however we strongly prefer courses taken at your degree granting College or University. No more than 50% of the prerequisites may be taken at a community college. Advanced Placement courses will be accepted if the degree granting college has accepted the credit and the student has achieved a score of 4 or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Test.

 

OAT

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a prerequisite for entrance. For informational materials regarding the OAT, contact the testing program using the information below:

 

Optometry Admission Testing Program

211 East Chicago Avenue, 6th floor

Chicago, IL 60611-2678

Phone: (312) 440-2693; (800) 232-2159

Fax: (312) 587-4105

               Online at: www.opted.org

 

Bachelor of Science in Optometry

Accelerated Doctor of Optometry Program (AODP)

Applicants to the Accelerated Doctor of Optometry Program:

• Hold doctorate-level degrees in a science or medicine. Graduates of the program represent such diverse fields as physics, psychology, anatomy, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, dentistry, and medicine.
• Demonstrate high scholarship in previous graduate study, as well as a firm career commitment to optometry.

Advanced Standing International Program (ASIP)

Applicants to the Advanced Standing International Program:

• Hold a degree from an optometric college recognized by the International Optometric and Optical League.
• Have at least two years of full-time optometric clinical experience following graduation from an optometry college and completed within four years prior to applying to qualify for our program.

Master of Science in Vision Science Degree (MSVS/OD or MSVS Stand Alone)

• BA or BS degree.
• College transcripts indicating a minimum 3.0 GPA on pre-requisites for the OD program, including a course in statistics.
• Optometric Admissions Test (OAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE general) scores.
• An admissions essay detailing the candidate’s interests in the MS program.
• Names and contact information for 3 references who can attest to the applicant’s analytical or research skills.

Transfer Requirements

When openings in advanced classes permit, the College will review applications for advanced standing from students who are currently enrolled in other accredited schools or colleges of Optometry. Acceptance is contingent upon satisfactory completion of courses equivalent to those at The New England College of Optometry. Students requesting transfer must provide a personal statement with supporting documentation demonstrating a compelling need to transfer in order to complete their optometric education. Official acknowledgment of transfer, and certification of good academic standing are required from the Dean of the Optometry school from which the applicant seeks to transfer.