Optometry
Your path to Optometry school starts here …
Navigating the path to optometry school can be complex. We're here to guide you every step of the way.
Plan Your Path to Optometry School
Choose Your Ideal Optometry School: Plan your UIS academic schedule based on the prerequisites of your chosen optometry school, considering factors like location, student body, and curriculum. Pursue the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, and utilize resources from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, including their school listings.
Plan Your Course of Study: Your journey to an optometry school requires careful planning. From selecting the right prerequisites to aligning your courses with optometry school requirements, our advisors are here to tailor a plan that suits your goals.
Join our Pre-Health Community: Benefit from transformative support and connections, including mentorship, hands-on experiences, and collaborative projects, all essential for your healthcare journey. Engage with our community of faculty, staff, students, and professional mentors.
| Typical PA Program Requirements | What to take at UIS |
|---|---|
| General Chemistry - 2 semesters | GENERAL CHEMISTRY – CHE 141 AND CHE 142 |
| Organic Chemistry - 2 semesters | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY – CHE 267/268 AND CHE 269/271 |
| Biology - 2 semesters | BIOLOGY – BIO 141 AND BIO 142 |
| microbiology – 1 semester | MICROBIOLOGY – BIO 231/232 or BIO 495 |
| Physics – 2 Semesters | PHYSICS – ALGEBRA-BASED PHYSICS (FORTHCOMING) OR ASP 201 AND ASP 202 |
| Anatomy and Physiology – 2 Semesters | ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY – BIO 201/202 OR BIO 429/431 |
| Math – 2 Semesters | MATH – MAT 115 AND MAT 121 |
| English – 2 Semesters | ENGLISH – 2 SEMESTERS |
| Psychology – 1 Semester | PSYCHOLOGY – PSY 101 |
| Communication | COMMUNICATION – COM 112 |
General Advice
Thinking of becoming an eye doctor? There are plenty of good reasons why you'd want to. A Doctor of Optometry enjoys a career that is rewarding in every single way. Check out the ASCO’s “Why Optometry” resources.