Bachelor of Pre-Optometry at The Ohio State University

There is no “right” major at Ohio State in preparation for the College of Optometry. Students often select a course of study that is somewhat related to the professional area of study, such as biology, chemistry or zoology, but there really are no limits as long as the necessary prerequisite course work is integrated into the undergraduate major. 

Although the majority of optometry applicants complete an undergraduate degree and then apply for admission to the professional program, a bachelor’s degree is not required for admission to the College of Optometry. Applicants should, however, demonstrate progress toward a four-year bachelor’s degree as they are working on completing their three years of prerequisite course work for admission to the College of Optometry.

Additionally, students pursuing a major in the College of Arts and Sciences have the option to earn a BS in vision science with courses from the first year of the Doctor of Optometry program, earning both degrees in seven years. (Students who are not admitted to the Doctor of Optometry program can continue their undergraduate program and earn a bachelor's degree in their declared major.) Interested students should contact a pre-health advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences on admission as an undergraduate student. 

Admission to the College of Optometry is competitive and based on a combination of the following factors:

• Undergraduate academic performance, including prerequisite course work
• Scores from the Optometry Admission Test (or other graduate or professional school entry tests, such as the GRE, MCAT, PCAT or DAT)
• Exposure to the profession (including 10 hours of observation in at least two optometric practices)
• Strength of evaluation letters
• Personal interview with admissions committee
• Extracurricular activities, leadership, honors and personal essay

The following courses at Ohio State or equivalents at other institutions are required for admission:

• Biochemistry 4511 or Pharmacy 3200

• Biology 1113 and 1114 with lab

• Chemistry 1210 and 1220 with lab

• Chemistry 2510

• EEOB 2520 or Physiology 3200 or Pharmacy 3100

• English 1110

• Math 1151 (Calculus)

• Microbiology 4000

• Physiology 1200 and 1201

• Psychology 1100

• Two to three humanities courses

• Two to three social sciences courses

Students are admitted to the college on a rolling basis, and early application is preferred. The deadline for submission of applications and all supplemental materials is March 1. 

In 10 semesters over four years, the Doctor of Optometry (OD) program offers a dynamic, cutting-edge curriculum that trains you to provide the fullest scope of optometric care. The program is full time and consists of a comprehensive series of didactic, laboratory and clinical courses that all students take together in a single cohort. 

In the first year, students build a strong foundation in basic science with anatomy, histology, physiology optics, pathology, epidemiology and public health. Students also learn introductory clinical skills and begin patient experiences in the first year. 

The second year consists of a combination of didactic, laboratory and clinical course work where students develop their clinical skills and also learn the science, theories and best practices behind them. Students practice their patient interaction skills while rotating through the eyewear gallery and begin to conduct their first comprehensive eye exams in the second semester. 

In the third year, students hone their clinical skills by rotating through the primary vision care, advanced ocular care, community health care and vision therapy clinics. They also continue their didactic education in advanced optometric skills, such as contact lenses, pediatrics, binocular vision, low vision, ocular disease and advanced techniques. 

The fourth year is all clinical care and is divided into three 17-week rotations. One rotation is in Columbus and the surrounding area where students rotate through all of the specialty clinics at the Ohio State Optometry Clinic including: Binocular Vision and Pediatrics; Contact Lens; Low Vision Rehabilitation; and the Student Health Center Optometry Services. Students also complete an eight- or nine- week rotation through both a private optometric practice and an ophthalmology practice or referral center or clinic. The other two rotations are located throughout the US and provide an immersive experience in ocular disease at one of several Veterans Administration facilities, and an advanced practice experience in a facility specializing in medical and surgical co-management of ocular disease, eyecare delivery to specialized patient populations, or full scope, contemporary optometric practice.

Throughout the four years, students will also learn to run a successful optometric practice with the most comprehensive series of practice management courses, ranging from personal finance to the development of a complete business plan. They will also assess and hone their personal leadership skills utilizing our first-of-its-kind, Ohio State Optometry specific I-CE Leadership Competency Model. Students will discover the career path that fits them best and develop the tools and materials needed to reach their career goals through the OptomEyes series.

The College of Optometry encourages students to explore the profession of optometry on their own, whether through work or volunteer experience with an optometric practice or informational interviews with people in the profession. It is a good idea to get exposure to a variety of optometric practice settings, including both private practice and clinical settings such as veterans hospitals. This interaction will help students confirm that optometry is the right career choice for them. 

The Health Sciences Scholars Program provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students to explore the health professions in a living-learning environment. For more information on Honors and Scholars, go to honors-scholars.osu.edu.

While not a requirement in the Doctor of Optometry Program, students interested in research have the opportunity to apply to join the Combined OD/MS program to complete a Masters in Vision Science alongside their OD beginning in their second year. Students will learn from and work with some of the world’s leading clinical researchers and vision scientists to complete additional course work and a thesis project at no additional cost or time to degree.  For students who desire research training, but do not wish to pursue a combined degree, both a traditional Master’s degree and a PhD in Vision Science are offered at the Ohio State College of Optometry.  Anyone with a bachelor’s degree is eligible to apply for these graduate degrees, with or without completion of the OD program.

Undergraduate students can become involved in the Pre-Optometry Club, one of the largest of its kind in the country. The club is student run with an optometry staff advisor. The club sponsors a variety of activities to help students become more aware and knowledgeable of the optometry profession. 

Speakers at meetings might include an optometrist from the community or a faculty member sharing his or her research on a specific aspect of optometry. Service activities in the community and social functions help students get to know one another outside the academic setting.

Optometry students participate in a wide variety of student organizations, ranging from pre-professional organizations that allow them to network with current practitioners to interest-based groups such as the Sports Vision Club, and service groups such as the Student Volunteers for Optometric Service to Humanity, which helps provide eye care and eye wear to developing nations, and the National Optometric Student Association, which encourages diversity in the profession.

Optometrists practice in a variety of settings. The majority of optometrists are independent professionals and own their practices. Many are in group practice, where optometrists practice together or with other health professionals to form a health care team. Optometrists are also employed in health maintenance organizations, academia, research, retail/optical settings, optometric/ophthalmologic professional settings, military/public health settings, interdisciplinary care, and as corporate or industrial consultants.

Practice opportunities for optometrists are steadily increasing due to advances in technology and expanded scope of practice. The increased emphasis on early detection and prevention of vision problems in preschool children as well as managing the special visual needs of an aging population will create an increased demand for vision care services in the next several decades. Optometrist is consistently ranked one of the 50 best careers by U.S. News and World Report, citing the likelihood of strong growth over the next decade as the American population ages. 

The beginning salary for optometrists ranges from $90,000-$100,000 depending upon the type of practice, setting or geographic location.  According to the 2018 American Optometric Association Survey of Optometric Practice, the 2017 average net income of optometrists was $143,520.