Vision Science—Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Optometry Direct Admit
Degrees: Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry
Website: Bachelor of Science in Vision Science 3+4 Direct Admit
College/School: Rosenberg School of Optometry
Apply to UIW: Application for the Bachelor of Science in Vision Science Direct Admit program
Program Overview
The 3+4 Bachelor of Science in Vision Science to Doctor of Optometry program provides students the opportunity to complete the Bachelor of Science in Vision Science and the Doctor of Optometry degree over a 7-year period, instead of the traditional 8 year track.
This curriculum is an accelerated program for the advanced undergraduate student who is ultimately interested in a Doctor of Optometry terminal degree. The successful undergraduate student will qualify to enter this program upon admission to the University with specific criteria (Phase I). The student will need to maintain and meet additional requirements throughout their 3 years of undergraduate Vision Science coursework in order to be accepted into the Doctor of Optometry program (Phase II). Upon acceptance into the professional program and successful completion of the 1st Professional Year, the student will be retroactively granted a Bachelor of Science in Vision Science degree. At the successful conclusion of the 4-year block step professional program, the student will be awarded the Doctor of Optometry professional degree.
Please note that accepted undergraduate students will be expected to meet with the academic advisor and a professional program representative twice a semester for academic support services.
Admission Requirements
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1140 SAT / 25 ACT
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3.7 High School Cumulative GPA / 3.7 High School Math and Sciences GPA
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Student must be prepared to begin in Pre-Calculus 1st semester, Freshman Year
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3.3 Undergraduate CUM GPA / 3.3 Undergraduate Math and Sciences GPA
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Students must meet this requirement upon application to the professional program
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Optometry Admissions Test (OAT): 320 Academic Average / 320 Total Science
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All subsections of the OAT should be at a 300 or higher
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Successful completion of a minimum of 90 semester credit hours
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Successful completion of prerequisite requirements with a ‘C’ or better
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Completion of application process (https://optometry.uiw.edu/admissions/index.html) to include submission of OptomCAS and official OAT scores
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Interview
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Minimum of two Letters of Recommendation (LOR) to include one LOR from an optometrist and one LOR from an academic advisor or faculty member
Vision Science BS to OD Direct Admit Degree Plan
The Visions Science Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Optometry program requires 140.5 credit hours to complete. The Bachelor of Science degree will be awarded after successful completion of the first year of professional coursework.
UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum
UIW core coursework is required. Review the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Here and review the degree plans for each concentration for scheduling of the core curriculum classwork. In addition, 45 Community Service hours are part of all bachelor's degree programs. See Community Service.
| UIW Core Curriculum |
| Composition and Rhetoric |
6 credit hours |
| Literature and Art |
6 credit hours |
| Science and Mathematics |
7 credit hours |
| History and Behavioral Science |
6 credit hours |
| Philosophy and Religion |
9 credit hours |
| Second Language |
6 credit hours |
| Wellness and Physical Education |
3 credit hours |
| |
43 total core credit hours |
| |
|
| Community Service |
45 clock hours (non-credit) |
MATH 1311, BIOL 2321, and BIOL 2121 satisfy UIW Core coursework requirements and degree program requirements.
Vision Science Curriculum
A grade of C or better is required for all coursework.
First Professional Year - Fall Semester
| OPT 111 | Basic Optometry | 4.5 |
| OPT 112 | Principles of Optics | 4.5 |
| OPT 113 | Gross Anatomy and Histology | 5 |
| OPT 114 | Fund of Vision Science | 4 |
| OPT 115 | Clinical Physiology | 3 |
| OPT 119 | Orientation Optometry and Ethics | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 22 |
First Professional Year - Spring Semester
| OPT 121 | Intermediate Optometry | 4.5 |
| OPT 122 | Visual and Applied Optics | 6 |
| OPT 123 | Clinical Ocular Anatomy | 4 |
| OPT 125 | Clinical Immunology and Histopathology | 2 |
| OPT 126 | Neuroanatomy | 3 |
| OPT 128 | Ocular Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics | 1.5 |
| OPT 129 | Healthcare Systems and Communications | 1.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 22.5 |
Support Work
A grade of C or better is required in all coursework.
Total Credit Hours: 140.5