International Applicants | Optometry

Pacific University College of Optometry does accept international applicants. Official evaluations from WES or ECE must be sent directly to OptomCAS in order for Pacific to receive them. International students must complete the same application requirements mandatory for all applicants. Please refer to the general application requirements on the Admissions Criteria and How To Apply webpages.

Foreign Coursework

Applicants must have all coursework completed at foreign colleges or universities (non-US and non-Canadian colleges, universities or graduate schools) evaluated by a third-party organization. All transcripts from foreign colleges or universities must receive both a credential evaluation and course-by-course evaluation from a certified agency. These transcripts and evaluations are required even if the coursework does not apply toward the optometry prerequisites.

Please contact OptomCAS with any questions regarding sending transcript evaluations.

English Proficiency Policy

A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to Pacific University. All graduate students whose first language is not English must meet the English language proficiency requirement prior to admission. Please note that this requirement applies to all applicants, including resident aliens and citizens.

The College of Optometry requires proof of English Language Proficiency for all applicants whose first language is not English. Please see the English Language Proficiency Policy (pdf) for more information. All test scores (TOEFL or IELTS) must be received by our final application deadline to ensure consideration of the application.

Foreign Optometric Education

All applicants must go through the same application process as mandated by Pacific University and ASCO. An applicant will only be offered admission to the College of Optometry after successfully completing the application and going through the interview process. These offers of admission are conditional based on the applicant’s ability to complete all remaining requirements; prerequisite coursework and background check. If an applicant has completed foreign doctoral optometric education in English, and would like to request this be considered in lieu of prerequisite coursework, they may submit an appeal to the admissions committee. Please contact your admissions counselor if you believe you would like to submit an appeal.