Prerequisites

The following prerequisites are required for admission into UMSL-College of Optometry. Prerequisites must be completed prior to entering optometry school. Prerequisites do not have to be completed to be considered for an interview. 

All courses used to satisfy the admission requirements must have been taken at an institution accredited by an accreditation body recognized by the US Department of Education (international applicants must submit transcripts through one of the recognized transcript evaluation services).

Applicants must have completed 90 semester or 135 quarter hours prior to matriculation. The applicant cannot apply more than 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) 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.

All prerequisites must be completed with a "C-" or higher.

Strongly recommended courses: Anatomy & Physiology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Immunology, Neurosciences, Histology, Embryology, Business Courses

AP CREDIT POLICY:   (Effective June 29, 2023)

The College of Optometry has adopted the following Advanced Placement (AP) credit policy:

Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and/or College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit is acceptable if the credits were accepted by your undergraduate institution and appear on your undergraduate transcript. We will accept prerequisite courses taken online provided they were offered by an accredited college or university. In-person laboratories are strongly preferred.

If you have further questions please contact Linda Stein.