College of Optometry

Prerequisites

 

Applying to the College

 Getting Started
• Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)
• Letters of Recommendation
• Official Transcripts
• Pre-requisites
• Application
• Interviews
• International Applicants


The following courses are required for admission to the UMSL College of Optometry: All courses used to satisfy the admission requirements must have been taken at an institution accredited by a regional accreditation body recognized by the US Department of Education (foreign applicants, you must submit your transcripts through one of the recognized transcript evaluation services). Applicants must have completed 90 semester or 135 quarter hours (the equivalent of three years of college education) prior to matriculation. 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. Applicant's holding a bachelor's degree will be given preference over applicants with similar academic credentials who do not have a degree.

Students who have taken advanced placement (AP) courses and only received credit but did not receive a grade is not accepted as fulfilling a prerequisite for admission. The only exception is for students who took English (AP) and meets the following criteria: 320 or higher on the reading comprehension portion of the OAT and a cumulative GPA of a 3.2 will be given English credit. If you have further questions please contact Nick Palisch.

See table of prerequisites.