Center for Eye Care
The Center for Eye Care provides a patient care learning environment for third-year and fourth-year optometric students and residents. The Center for Eye Care includes four locations: the University Eye Center on the UM-St. Louis south campus, the Optometric Center in the Central West End of St. Louis, the East St. Louis Eye Center, and the Harvester Eye Center in St. Charles, MO.  The main purpose of these and other smaller centers in the St. Louis area is to provide an instructional setting where student interns are exposed to a wide variety of patients under the direct supervision of full-time or part-time clinical faculty.  Equally important is that these Centers provide exemplary, comprehensive  and state-of-the-art optometric care to their patients.

The Centers provide a full range of optometric services to patients including primary eye care, contact lens, pediatric/binocular vision, low vision, and eye health management.  These services are described below in greater detail.

Situated in Missouri's largest metropolitan area, the school enjoys the city's strong community and professional support. The urban setting offers many opportunities for outreach programs, expanding the scope of optometric education and making available highly diverse programs of clinical training. Another asset of the school is the location of the national headquarters of the American Optometric Association and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, approximately twelve miles from the campus.

The curriculum leading to the doctor of optometry degree is a four-year, full-time program of study. The first year of the professional curriculum stresses optics and basic health sciences and introduces students to optics of the visual system. The second year covers vision science and training in eye examination techniques. The third year emphasizes patient care and introduces the student to various specialty areas within optometry, such as contact lenses, pediatric and geriatric vision care, binocular vision and vision training, and low vision rehabilitation. The second and third years also include course work and clinical training in ocular disease and pharmacology. The fourth year provides additional patient care experiences and includes rotations through a variety of outreach programs, giving the student added experience in the treatment of eye diseases, as well as valuable experience in other optometric clinical specialties.

Fourth-Year Externship Program
In addition to the patient care experiences available through the University Eye Center, Optometric Center, the East St. Louis Center, the Harvester Eye Center, and the College of Optometry has an diverse Externship Program.  Students must receive approval from the faculty and the Director of Externships for assignments to each Externship site. This program allows fourth-year students to spend a portion of their final year of training in a variety of patient care environments  (i.e., military bases,Veterans Administration Hospitals, Indian Health Services Hospitals various speciality practices and private practices).

These eight (8) week Externships are selected and scheduled according to the individual student's interest, needs and future practice intentions. In this  program, students leave the academic environment and begin working with selected practicing optometrists while continuing to be monitored by the Centers through weekly reports of all patient experiences and activities.  These are some of the most frequently used sites:  Becherer and Becherer, Belleville, IL; Carl  Albert Indian Health Service, Ada, OK; Colorado Optometric Center, Denver, CO;  Koetting and Associates, St. Louis, MO; Missouri Eye Institute, Springfield,  MO; Morey/Mulqueeny Eye Center, St. Louis, MO; O'Donnell Eye Institute, St. Louis, MO; Omni Eye Services of Georgia, Atlanta, GA;Optometric Clinic, Kaneohe  Bay, HI; Resler-Kerber Optometric, Inc., St. Louis, MO; St. Louis Comprehensive Neighborhood Health Center, St. Louis, MO; Southwest Medical Center, St. Louis, MO; Veterans Administration Hospital, Columbia, MO; Veterans Administration Hospital-Cochran/Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, MO; Veterans Administration Hospital, Kansas City, MO; Veterans Administration Hospital, Marion, IL; Washington University Eye Center, St. Louis, MO. 

Students may arrange their own off-campus clinical experiences with the approval of the director of externships.

In 1986 the Missouri Optometry Practice Act was revised by the state legislature to include treatment of certain eye diseases utilizing pharmaceutical agents. Thus optometry students at UM-St. Louis are uniquely situated to receive excellent training in this aspect of optometric practice. Roughly half of the states in the United States now have laws authorizing optometrists to prescribe drugs in the treatment of certain eye diseases. The training and clinical experience optometry students receive at UM-St. Louis in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of ocular disease is excellent and qualifies UM-St. Louis graduates to practice optometry in any state in the nation.

A student who satisfactorily completes all four years of the professional curriculum will be eligible to receive the doctor of optometry degree.

The College of Optometry is a member of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry and is accredited by the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association, the official optometric agency recognized by the National Commission on Accrediting and by the International Association of Boards of Examiners in Optometry.

All optometry students enrolled in the University of Missouri-St. Louis School of Optometry are eligible for membership in the student optometric association, which is affiliated with the American Optometric Association. Through this organization, students become involved in local and national optometric activities. The organization provides an environment for the cultivation of professional leadership skills, and members have organized and participated in a variety of community service activities, including community health screenings and vision care to residents of nursing homes, convalescent hospitals, and mental institutions. Furthermore, optometry students have formed local chapters of SVOSH (Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity), an international organization of optometrists providing  free vision care to people in impoverished nations, and the NOSA (National Optometric  Student Association), which strives to recruit minority students into optometry and encourages retention of minority students.

In addition to the many activities through the College of Optometry, optometry students are able to take advantage of all the activities provided by the university to the entire university community.  These include intramural sports, movies and cultural activities, a modern, fully-equipped gymnasium, and access to many social and cultural opportunities in St. Louis at reduced cost.

"3+4"  Scholars Programs
The College of Optometry currently has a program with the Pierre Laclede Honors College which allows students to complete both their undergraduate studies and a Doctor of Optometry degree in seven years.  Students can qualify for this program while they are seniors in high school.  Exceptional academic performance is required.  They are granted provisional acceptance into the College of Optometry after admission to the Honors College.  This program offers professional and academic advisement by the College of Optometry faculty throughout the Honors College undergraduate experience, as well as offering early exposure to clinically related activities and participation in Optometry student association activities.  Undergraduate students in this program may apply for formal admission to the  College of Optometry after completion of Optometry prerequisites and three years at the Honors College. The first year of Optometry School will complete the undergraduate requirements. Similar 3 + 4 programs also exist in cooperation with the departments of Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

College of Optometry

Semester:
English - 2
Biology (including laboratory)* - 3
Physics (including laboratory) - 2

Chemistry**

General (including laboratory) - 2
Organic (including laboratory) - 1

Mathematics ** *

Calculus - 1
Statistics - 1

Psychology - 2
Social and Behavioral Sciences - 2 or

Quarter :
English - 3
Biology (including laboratory)* - 4
Physics (including laboratory) - 3

Chemistry**

General (including laboratory) - 3
Organic (including laboratory) - 2

Mathematics ** *

Calculus - 1
Statistics - 1

Psychology - 2
Liberal Arts - 2

*One semester (or one quarter) of Microbiology is a requirement.  One semester of Anatomy or Physiology is recommended.

**One semester of Biochemistry is recommended.

** *Trigonometry as a prerequisite course for Calculus must be completed either in high school or college.

All courses used to satisfy the admission requirements must have been taken at a fully accredited institution or must be acceptable by an accredited institution toward degree credit. Specific prerequisite courses must be taken for a letter grade; they cannot be taken as an audit or on a pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Applicants must have completed 90 semester or 135 quarter hours (the equivalent of three years of college education) before the start of classes.  The applicant cannot apply more than 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours which were earned at a two-year institution toward the credit-hour requirement. Applicants holding a bachelor's degree will be given preference over applicants with similar academic credentials who do not have a degree. Applicants to the school come from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds, such as biological sciences, psychology, education, and business.

Admission Test
All applicants are required to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). The OAT is offered each year in February and October. Results are sent to the applicant and schools of optometry approximately six to eight weeks after the date of testing. Official test scores are acceptable for up to three years from the testing date.

Applicants are encouraged to take the examination in February or October of the year preceding anticipated application to the College of Optometry. If applicants wish to enhance their scores, they are encouraged to repeat the examination.  For an OAT application packet and additional information, contact:

Optometry Admission Testing Program
211 East Chicago Ave.
Suite 1846
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-2693  

Application Procedures
The Admissions Committee begins to process applications on August 1 for the class entering the following year. An applicant's file will be considered complete and ready for consideration by the Admission Committee when the following material has been received:

1. Application.
2. $50.00 non-refundable application fee.
3. Official high school and college transcripts, followed by updated transcripts as they become available.
4. Academic record form.
5. Official Optometry Admission Test (OAT) results.
6. A composite evaluation prepared by the preprofessional advisory committee at the educational institution the applicant is attending. Those applicants not currently attending college or who are at an institution that does not offer a committee evaluation will be required to submit four letters of recommendation.

Official transcripts must be mailed from every college attended, regardless of whether or not credit was earned.

Letters of recommendation must be mailed directly to the school by the originator.  All applicants will be required to sign a form to waive their right to review the letters of recommendation. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all application materials are received in the office of Student Services by March 15 to be considered for admission to the class entering in August of the same year. Facsimile (faxed) application material will be not accepted or acknowledged.  Application material received after March 15 will not be evaluated for the class entering in August of the same year. To be considered for merit scholarships, there is an early enrollment deadline. All materials must be received by January  10 in order to be considered for the early application deadline. Applications received after that time will still be considered for admission but not additional awards.

All correspondence, inquiries and application material should be addressed to:

  UM-St. Louis College of Optometry
  Office of Student Services
  8001 Natural Bridge Road
  St. Louis, MO 63121-4499

Applications may also be submitted online by accessing an application at www.umsl.edu/divisions/optometry/programs/applpro.html

Students From Other Countries
In addition to the standard application procedures, applicants living outside the United States and its possessions must take the Test of English as a Foreign  Language (TOEFL) and receive a minimum score of 500. Write to:

     Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
     Educational Testing Service
     Princeton, NJ  08530

To complete their credential file, applicants are required to furnish original and official transcripts from each school and college attended both in this country and abroad. The Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. or the World Education Services must evaluate all foreign school and college transcripts and their evaluation submitted as part of the application requirement. For information contact:

The University of Missouri-St. Louis maintains an Office of International Student Services to assist applicants who have been offered admission. All new international students are required to attend a formal orientation program before matriculation. For more information, contact:

  University of Missouri-St. Louis
  Office of International Student Services
  8001 Natural Bridge Road
  St. Louis, MO  63121-4499
  (314) 516-5229

Selection Procedures
Applications are reviewed beginning September 1 with interviews scheduled and initiated starting October 1.  The School uses a ‘rolling admissions' process which allows qualified applicants to be admitted on an ongoing basis until the class is filled. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible ensure full consideration for admission.

The Admissions Committee has the responsibility to review and evaluate all applicants and select the best qualified candidates. The committee considers: an applicant's overall grade point average, the grade point achieved in the sciences, any grade trends over the years in college, and the scores on the  OAT. Concurrently, candidates are evaluated on less quantitative measures such as extracurricular activities and interests, related or unrelated work experience, written narrative, and letters of recommendation.

Those applicants whom the committee feels to be most competitive will be invited  for an on-campus interview. The on-campus interview facilitates an assessment of the applicant's communication skills, interests, motivation, and personal characteristics. In addition, the on-campus interview allows the applicant to tour the facilities, meet with currently enrolled students, present questions regarding financial aid and housing, and learn more about the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the College of Optometry. From this group of interviewed  applicants, the entering class of approximately 44 students will be selected.

The policies of the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the College of Optometry comply with the provisions under those laws which forbid discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, handicap, or veteran status.

Admission Process
Notices of acceptance may be received as late as June of the year in which the students enter the program. If acceptance to the class is conditional, the terms of the condition must be completed prior to matriculation. Applicants who have indicated that degree requirements will be completed prior to matriculation, and who have been selected for admission, may receive a conditional offer of acceptance contingent upon completion of the degree.

Students offered admission have two weeks from the date on the offer of admission letter to make a required $200 acceptance deposit. The $200 deposit will be credited toward tuition when the student matriculates. The deposit is considered a non-refundable administration fee should the student not matriculate.  A certain number of applicants are placed on an alternate list. If an applicant who has been offered admission declines the offer, their position will be allocated to the next individual on the alternate list.

Notification of denial is sent by mail. If an applicant is interested in reapplying, they should contact the College of Optometry's Office of Student Services and request a reapplication packet.

Financial Aid

The University of Missouri-St. Louis maintains an Office of Student Financial Aid to assist students with the cost of their education.

Financial assistance is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study. Funds for these programs are available from federal, private, state, and institutional resources. To apply for financial aid, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Preference will be given to those students who have completed the FAFSA by April 1. Preference means that the Student Financial Aid Office will begin awarding FWS (Federal College Work-Study), Federal SEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) and Federal Perkins Loan funds. A completed financial aid application means that the Financial Aid Office has received an official Student Aid Report from the Federal Processing Center.

To be considered for all university scholarships offered through the Financial Aid Office, a student must be accepted for admission. A scholarship application must be completed to apply for scholarships awarded through Student Financial Aid. All incoming students should complete the Incoming Freshman Scholarship Application. Continuing students should complete the Continuing Student Scholarship Application.

Many state optometric associations and their auxiliaries offer scholarships and grants.  Application is generally made directly to the state association or auxiliary and selection is generally made on the basis of state residence and other criteria. Information may be obtained by writing to the various state optometric associations and/or auxiliaries.

The College of Optometry will provide additional information about scholarships and the school's Handbook of Loans, Scholarships, Grants, and Awards to applicants during the interview process.

Fees
Detailed information regarding current fees and residency regulations is furnished in the Schedule of Courses, a newspaper schedule distributed before each semester registration, available at the Registrar's Office in Woods Hall. Students should be aware that fees shown are current as this publication goes to press, but fee changes may occur while this Bulletin is still in use.

The university reserves the right to change fees and other charges at any time without advance notice.

Education Fees
All students enrolled in the University must pay educational fees based on either the schedule for Missouri residents or the schedule for non-residents. All optometry students will be required to pay the non-resident educational fee if they do not meet the University of Missouri residency requirements at the time of enrollment.

*A Summer Session is required between the third and fourth professional year.

Other Required Fees
All students are required to pay the following fees each semester: Instructional Computer Fee $9.60 per credit hour (no maximum); Student Facility, Activity, and Health Fee $27.22 per credit hour (maximum six credit hours for Summer/12 credit hours for the Fall and Winter).

Parking Fee
All vehicles parked on campus require a parking permit. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of the parking policies and procedures while using  the lots at the University of Missouri St. Louis. The College of Optometry cannot be responsible for violations from students who do not purchase parking permits or adhere to the campus policies and procedures.

Parking fee $18.00 per credit hour for Summer Session; $20.00 per credit hour during the Fall and Winter Semesters. All fourth year students who are away on externship rotation must pay a minimum of $18.00 per semester for parking.

Student Health Insurance (optional)
An Accident and Sickness Insurance plan is available to students and their dependents.  Information concerning premiums and coverage is available upon request from University Health Services. Their phone number is:    (314) 516-5671.

*Nonresident Students

Students who do not meet the residency requirements must pay the nonresident  educational fee according to the schedule above.  A definition of "residency" is outlined in Tuition and Residency Rules, available in the cashier's office. Students are responsible for registering under the proper residence and paying the proper educational fees.

Currently, five nonresident positions are allocated by state reciprocal agreements for residents of Kansas. Individuals who are admitted under these agreements will pay reduced educational fees. For additional information, contact:
Optometry Program, Kansas Board of Regents,
700 S.W. Harrison, Suite 1410,
Topeka, KS 66603
(785) 296-3517.

Optometry students will be required to pay nonresident educational fees if they do not meet the university's residency requirements at the time of their  enrollment. The definition of "residency" is outlined in the pamphlet Tuition and Residency Rules available from the Cashier's Office, (314)  516-5151.

Career Outlook

Doctor of Optometry Degree
A doctor of optometry is an independent health care professional who is specifically  educated, clinically trained, and licensed to examine, diagnose, and treat conditions or impairments of the human vision system. They examine the eyes and related structures to determine the presence of vision problems, eye disease, and other ocular abnormalities.

Doctors of optometry are the major providers of vision care. They provide treatment by prescribing ophthalmic lenses or other optical aids, provide vision therapy to preserve or restore maximum efficiency in vision, and in most states (including Missouri) are authorized to prescribe drugs in the treatment of certain eye diseases.

Doctors of optometry can also detect certain general diseases of the human body such as diabetes, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis that have the potential capacity to affect vision. When an eye examination reveals diseases in other parts of the body, the optometrist will refer patients to the appropriate health care practitioner for treatment. Like physicians and dentists, optometrists are primary health care professionals.

The scope of optometry practice requires an understanding of the development of vision from infancy through adulthood, and the therapeutic and rehabilitative methods required to care for the problems of vision from infancy through the declining years.

Optometry is the largest eye care profession and one of the largest independent health care professions in the United States. Currently, some 28,900 doctors of optometry practice in America. They are widely distributed across the nation, practicing in more than 7,100 different municipalities. In more than 4,300 of these communities, they are the only primary care provider. As such, doctors of optometry provide the major portion of primary eye care services in the United  States.

Studies have indicated that a ratio of one practicing doctor of optometry to every 7,000 people (a ratio of 14.3 practicing doctors of optometry per 100,000  population) is a reasonable average for the United States. Despite recent growth in the profession, few states meet this criteria.

As our society becomes more technically oriented, vision requirements become more exacting. The number of persons needing professional help for reading and other near-point visual tasks, including both older citizens and school children, is steadily growing. Increased demands for vision care result not only from population growth but also from increased understanding of how good vision relates to industrial production, student achievement, adjustments to aging, and other areas crucial to modern society.

The patients whom the practicing doctors of optometry treats may have varied and challenging needs. On any given day, an optometrist might be involved in restoring vision to a partially sighted patient; fitting glasses for a child whose vision problem is affecting academic achievement; treating an eye infection with antibiotics; improving the function of a patient's eyes through vision training; helping an elderly patient in a nursing home cope with changing vision through critical eye health education; and performing comprehensive eye examinations for those who need glasses or contact lenses to correct astigmatism, nearsightedness, and numerous other vision problems.

The practice of optometry offers independence, flexibility, and diversity.  Doctors of optometry have a wide range of modes of practice. They may choose to practice in the inner cities, suburbs, and rural areas. Opportunities exist for solo practice, associateship, optometric or multidisciplinary group practice, government or military service, clinical or hospital practice, teaching, and research.

Optometry is a rewarding career, both economically and personally. Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and surveys by professional associations, optometry is one of the top 10 income-earning professions in the country.

Graduate Degrees
The master of science program provides research-oriented training beyond that offered in the professional program in optometry. Many optometry schools require that applicants for faculty positions hold an M.S. or Ph.D. degree as well as an O.D. degree. Additional employment possibilities for individuals with M.S. degrees are found in industry and in public and private research foundations.