Pacific University students who are interested in a career in optometry and vision science may choose to complete a pre-optometry and vision science track along with their bachelor's degree in preparation for optometry school, such as Pacific’s College of Optometry. Pacific also offers several other pre-professional tracks.
Undergraduate students who apply and are accepted into the Optometry Scholars program have a direct pathway to earning a Doctor of Optometry degree, including conditional acceptance into Pacific University's College of Optometry.
About Optometry and Vision Science
Doctors of optometry are primary healthcare providers who diagnose, manage and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. They may practice as independent practitioners, in a group practice, or in a health clinic or hospital. They deliver most of the eye, vision and related healthcare services that people need.
Optometry is a small profession, with about 41,400 jobs nationwide in 2021. However, there were fewer than 41,400 optometrists, as many held positions at multiple practices and clinics.
Optometrists are not the same as ophthalmologists, who perform eye surgery, or dispensing opticians, who fit and adjust eyeglasses.
Employment of optometrists is expected to grow by 10 percent from 2021 to 2031. Because vision problems often appear later in life, more optometrists will be needed as the United States population ages.
The median annual wage of optometrists was $124,300 per year in 2021.
Program and Requirements
The optometry profession requires a doctor of optometry degree. There are 24 accredited doctor of optometry programs in the United States, including the Pacific University College of Optometry.
Applicants to OD programs must have completed at least three years of postsecondary education, including coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, English and mathematics. In practice, most students complete their bachelor’s degree before enrolling in an optometry program.
An optometry program takes four years to complete. Coursework includes anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, optics and visual science, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the visual system. It also includes supervised clinical experience. After finishing their degree, some optometrists complete a one-year residency program to get advanced clinical training in a specialty, such as family practice, primary eye care, pediatric or geriatric optometry, vision therapy and rehabilitation, cornea and contact lenses, refractive and ocular surgery, low vision rehabilitation, ocular disease, or community health optometry.
Typically, admission to the Pacific University College of Optometry occurs after a student has completed a bachelor’s degree. Some exceptionally well-qualified students are admitted after three years of undergraduate studies and may earn a bachelor of science degree in visual science as they complete their doctor of optometry degree. Most students should, however, plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in the College of Arts & Sciences. Students are encouraged to contact Graduate Admissions early in their undergraduate careers for more information and assistance in preparing for admission to the College of Optometry.
Prerequisites
Biological Sciences (12 credits)
- Microbiology | BIOL 308 with lab
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II | HBIO/BIOL 230 and 231 with labs
Chemistry (12 credits)
- General Chemistry | CHEM 220 and CHEM 230 | with lab
- Organic Chemistry | CHEM 300 and CHEM 400 | with lab
- Biochemistry | CHEM 380 | with lab*
*May substitute for CHEM 400
General Physics (8 credits)
- All classes must have labs
Calculus (3 credits)
Statistics (3 credits)
- Recommended from a department of psychology, sociology, statistics, or mathematics; business or economics statistics courses will not count
General Psychology (3 credits)
English Writing (3 credits)
- FYS can count towards part of this requirement
Pre-Optometry students are advised to complete the College of Arts & Sciences core requirements. It is wise to begin immediately in mathematics. In addition, strong students take general chemistry in their freshman year. Biology, chemistry, and mathematics together are a heavy freshman science and math schedule, to be taken with care. Freshman students choosing this schedule in the spring semester should discuss it with their advisers.
All schools and colleges of optometry require students to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). The test includes sections on biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, quantitative ability, physics, and reading comprehension. Many schools require a minimum number of hours of observation by applicants and many schools suggest that at least one letter of recommendation should be written by an optometrist.
More Information
Pacific University Advising Center
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
American Optometric Association
American Academy of Optometry
