Optometry

Optometrists are health practitioners who specialize in eye care. Optometrists diagnose and treat various eye and vision problems, prescribe corrective lenses, and manage some eye diseases. This is different from an ophthalmologist, which is a medical doctor who performs surgery on eyes.

In order to become an optometrist, an individual must earn a Doctorate of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited program and pass licensure exams administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO), in addition to state licensure exams. A residency is not required after graduating from optometry school. 

To qualify for optometry school admission, students must take the necessary prerequisites for each school; a bachelor's degree is recommended and sometimes required.

Degrees and Coursework

What major should I select at UNT for a pre-optometry path?

Popular majors among pre-optometry students at UNT include the following: 

  • Bachelor of Arts or Science in Biology, College of Science

Optometry schools do not require a particular degree. If you choose a major outside of the sciences, we recommend taking extra courses in biology, in addition to all the required prerequisites.

For more information about each major, please visit the UNT Catalog and select 'majors, minors, certificates' that is found beneath the link to ‘Catalog Home'.

What courses do I need for optometry school?

Please refer to our Pre-Optometry Packet for a list of Texas optometry program prerequisites. To review prerequisites for optometry programs outside of Texas, please refer to each individual school's website. 

Applying to Optometry School

What makes a competitive application to optometry school?

Admission to optometry school is competitive and students should create a strategic plan well in advance. Below you will find typical categories of a competitive application. Please contact our advisors in the UNT Office of Health Professions to further explore each competitive characteristic and to create your pre-optometry plan. 

Recommendations for a Competitive Application:

  • Overall and Math/Science GPAs - 3.2 - 3.7 (average admitted GPAs vary by school)
  • OAT Score - 330+ (average admitted scores vary by school)
  • Shadowing/Observation - 100+ Hours
  • Volunteering - 100+ Hours 
  • Various Extracurricular Activities, On or Off Campus

Core Competencies for Healthcare

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) came up with a set of skills, knowledge, and personal characteristics that they believe are essential for future physicians called the pre-med core competencies. Because of its relevance to all healthcare professions, many other health professional schools have embraced the core competencies as well.  Since many, if not most, health professional schools evaluate applicants based on these competencies, we recommend that students develop proficiency in them.  More information on the AAMC Core Competencies can be found here.

Using this handout, your pre-health advisor can help you evaluate your progress on becoming a competitive applicant to optometry school. 

How do I apply to optometry school?

Optometry schools in the United States use one online application service to obtain your information: OptomCAS. The application cycle opens in late June. Please note that there are fees associated with using these services.

When should I apply to optometry school?
Candidates must apply to optometry schools one year before entering a program. On the traditional four-year path, students will apply early summer after their junior year of college, complete their bachelor's degree at the end of their senior year, and enter optometry school the following fall semester. However, each applicant's timeline is different and your UNT Health Professions Advisor is committed to helping create a plan and timeline that accommodates your individual goals and circumstances.
Do optometry schools require an entrance exam?
Optometry schools require applicants to take the OAT (Optometry Admission Test) before applying to optometry school. The score range for the OAT is 200-400. We strongly recommend that you not take the OAT until after most, if not all, prerequisites have been completed. For more information about the OAT, please visit the official webpage.

Additional Resources for Students

Are there any pre-health scholarships available to pre-optometry students?

Yes, pre-optometry students can apply for the following pre-health scholarship using the College of Science general scholarship application:

The Dr. Charles D. and Vernil Mitchell Endowed Scholarship
To be considered, a student must enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in any degree-granting major in the College of Science and be a graduate of any high school in Dallas ISD. For more information, please contact us at healthcareers@unt.edu. 

What are some additional resources for pre-optometry students at UNT?

You can find a list of health-related student organizations at UNT here.  You can search for other student clubs and organizations on OrgSync.

If you are a current student, join our canvas course to receive important announcements and view resources related to your pre-optometry journey.

How can I get started with creating a pre-optometry plan?

If you are a current student at UNT, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our pre-health advisors using the following link: https://unt.navigate.eab.com/. If you are a prospective student, interested in enrolling at UNT in the future, and have any questions about "pre-optometry" at UNT, please feel free to contact us at healthcareers@unt.edu.