Pre-Optometry

Program Coordinator/Contact

Marjoanne Thompson, Coordinator and Advisor
Department of Biology and Microbiology
Alfred Dairy Science Hall 228
605-688-4563

Pre-Professional Interest Area Information

The American Optometric Association has 21 accredited member schools and colleges of optometry listed by ASCO (Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry). Students graduating from SDSU with above average grades and competitive Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) scores have been successful in the admissions process. The average GPA for successful applicants is often 3.0 to 3.5 for colleges of optometry. Students usually have completed three years of college work. The majority of students entering professional schools of optometry have completed work for the bachelor’s degree. Students are encouraged to complete a bachelor’s degree.

The prospective optometric student should begin as early as possible to acquire an education in the fundamental sciences with the proper selection of pre-professional courses. Required courses include physics, mathematics, English, biological science, anatomy, chemistry and psychology. A program incorporating these courses should be selected to meet the requirements of professional schools of optometry and provide a good background for the Optometry Admissions Test. Certain optometry colleges may also require additional specific classes. For additional information and specific requirements of each college of optometry, please refer to the website for ASCO (Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry).

It is strongly recommended that pre-optometry students contact the pre-optometry advisor as soon as possible to express an interest in optometry and create a plan of study.

Suggested Majors

• Human Biology (B.S.)  
• Biochemistry (B.S.)  
• Biotechnology (B.S.)  
• Chemistry (B.S.)  
• Microbiology (B.S.)  
• Physics (B.S.)  
• Community and Public Health (B.S.)   
• Economics (B.A./B.S.)