Pre-Optometry

Advisor: M. Blankenbuehler

The pre-optometry program is a three-year preparatory program designed to meet the entrance requirements of optometry schools. However, optometry school applicants with a four year bachelor's degree are generally given preferential consideration. Students may complete the bachelor's degree in any area, so long as they include all courses required for admission to the optometry school to which they apply. Optometry school is a four-year program. Before seeking admission to an optometry school, students must take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). The Commonwealth of Kentucky will pay a portion of the fees for Kentucky residents enrolled at the Southern College of Optometry (Memphis), the University of Alabama School of Optometry, and the Indiana University School of Optometry.

Requirements

Core Courses

BIOL 171Principles of Biology

4

BIOL 210General Zoology

4

BIOL 317Principles of Microbiology

4

BIOL 337Comparative Anatomy

3

BIOL 425Animal Physiology

3

CHEM 111Principles of Chemistry I

4

CHEM 112Principles of Chemistry II

4

CHEM 301Fundamentals of Biochemistry

4

CHEM 326Organic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 327Organic Chemistry II

4

ENG 100Writing I

3

ENG 200Writing II

3

MATH 175Calculus I

4

MATH 353Statistics

3

PHYS 201Elementary Physics I

3

PHYS 201AElementary Physics I Lab

1

PHYS 202Elementary Physics II

3

PHYS 202AElementary Physics II Lab

1

PSY 154Introduction to Psychology

3

Social Science electives

6

Total Credit Hours:68

Additional recommended courses

BIOL 234Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology I

3

BIOL 235Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology II

3

BIOL 304Genetics

3

BIOL 380Cell Biology

3

Acceptance into optometry school depends largely upon academic performance. Therefore, the student considering this program should have a strong high school background in science and mathematics.

The core courses represent common requirements among schools of optometry. Specific schools have additional requirements.

Students receiving a bachelor's degree from Morehead State University must complete the requirements for graduation found in this catalog. Students should work closely with the pre-optometry advisor and an advisor in their selected major to ensure that requirements for both programs are met.