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UMSL, Maryville announce new optometry partnership
The College of Optometry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis announced today a new partnership with Maryville University in west St. Louis County, Mo. The collaboration, called the 3+4 Program, allows students to obtain a bachelor's degree from Maryville University and a doctorate in optometry from UMSL in seven years rather than eight.
The program will be available to students entering Maryville University in fall 2009. It will be similar to programs currently available for pre-optometry students in the Pierre Laclede Honors College or majoring in biology and physics at UMSL.
"The 3+4 Program is an excellent way for UMSL's College of Optometry to recruit bright students who have a clear direction for their career aspirations," said Dr. Larry Davis, dean of the college. "The program also is beneficial to students eager to more quickly enter the profession of optometry."
Through the 3+4 Program, pre-optometry students at Maryville University apply to the UMSL optometry program during the fall semester of their third year. If accepted, the students will begin the optometry program at UMSL during the fall semester of their fourth year.
At the completion of their fifth year overall (or second year at UMSL), the student receives his or her bachelor degree from Maryville University. Students who remain on track with their courses and professional training can then earn their O.D. at the completion of their fourth year at UMSL.
Dr. Dan Sparling, dean of Maryville's College of Arts and Sciences, believes that students in the 3+4 program will benefit from Maryville's excellent record in preparing students for careers in the medical field.
"This program also supports Maryville's mission of integrating liberal and professional learning," Sparling said. "We are excited to be able to offer students this new option for entering the field of optometry."
Pre-optometry students at Maryville University have the option of enrolling in three programs: biology, biology/biotechnology or biomedical science. The students also are invited to participate in the Pre-Optometry Student Club at UMSL.
Visit http://www.umsl.edu/bulletin/as/preprofessional.html to learn more about UMSL's pre-optometry program options.
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