Pre-Optometry

Is this career right for you?

  • Would you enjoy developing long-term relationships with your patients by serving as their primary care doctor for eye care?
  • Do you like the idea of working with patients who are not necessarily sick or injured every time they see you?
  • Are you drawn to a helping profession that allows you to set your own hours and enjoy a relatively low-stress work environment?
  • Would you be happy in a job that involves a fair amount of routine work but that also promises interesting cases on a regular basis?

Prerequisite courses

Any major is acceptable. Optometry schools seek applicants who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a strong sense of service and leadership, and who have done well in their coursework. The best major to choose is the one you will find most interesting and challenging.

On your path toward optometry school, you will engage in many facets of development. Optometry schools are seeking well-rounded, compassionate, creative, bright, service-minded individuals. You must develop and demonstrate personal attributes that will enable you to be an effective healthcare provider.

Your academic preparation is still extremely important. The courses listed below meet the requirements for most optometry schools, however, there is variability among school policies.

You are responsible for verifying the prerequisites for each of the schools that interest you. 

Many Optometry schools require only 90 hours of undergraduate coursework; they do not require an undergraduate degree. However, in our experience, most competitive applicants have completed a bachelor’s degree before going to Optometry school.

OPHA's Pre-Health Advisors can help answer complex quesitons regarding pre-requisites; however, OPHA generally recommends retaking AP/IB credits that are part of the course requirements for health professional schools. Because many schools do not accept AP/IB credits for prerequisite requirements, this helps students keep their options open when it comes time to apply as each school can differ in their exceptions. Optometry schools have differing policies for AP and IB credits and it is important to verify each school’s policy for which you would like to apply.  provides a list of school’s prerequisites and admissions requirements.   

Additionally, most programs require grades of at least C or higher for all prerequisites. If you do not receive satisfactory grades in required courses, we highly recommend you retake to ensure mastery of content and competitiveness of application.

There is a lot of variability and nuance when it comes to pre-requisites. OPHA's Pre-Health Advisors can assist you in determining what courses you need to be most competitive and for which schools.

Biology

Generally two courses with associated labs of general biology are required. Lectures and labs should be equivalent to 8 semester hours.

Option 1:

  • General Biology 1 and Lab (EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1230), 4 credits
  • General Biology 2 and Lab (EBIO 1220 and EBIO 1240), 4 credits

Option 2:

  • Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (MCDB 1150), 3 credits
  • Principles of Genetics (MCDB 2150), 3 credits
  • One of the following labs (to complete the 2 credit lab requirement)
    • From Dirt to DNA: Phage Genomics Lab (MCDB 1161), 2 credits
    • Drug Â鶹ÊÓƵy Through Hands-on Screens (MCDB 1171), 2 credits
    • Biological Probiotic/Drug Â鶹ÊÓƵy Through Hands-on Screens (MCDB 1181/IPHY 1181), 2 credits
    • Drug Â鶹ÊÓƵy Through Hands-on Screens 2 (MCDB 2171), 2 credits

Addtionally, many optometry programs require:

  • Microbiology (EBIO 3400), 3 credits and the corresponding lab (EBIO 3410), 1 credit
  • Introduction to Human Anatomy (IPHY 3410), 3 credits and lab (IPHY 3415), 2 credits
  • Human Physiology (IPHY 3430), 4 credits and Physiology Lab (IPHY 3435), 2 credits
  • Immunology (IPHY 4600), 4 credits OR (MCDB 4300), 3 credits

Additional courses in biology may be required on a school specific basis. 

Chemistry

Generally two courses with associated labs in general (inorganic) chemistry, and at least 1 course with associated lab of organic chemistry are required. Some schools require Organic Chemistry 2 and Biochemistry.
Lectures and labs should be equivalent to 8 semester hours for general chemistry, and 4-8 hours for organic chemistry, depending on the school specific requirements.

  • General Chemistry 1 and Lab (CHEM 1113 and CHEM 1114), 5 credits
  • General Chemistry 2 and Lab (CHEM 1133 and CHEM 1134), 5 credits
  • Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab (CHEM 3311 and CHEM 3321), 5 credits
  • Biochemistry (BCHM 4611), 3 credits

If you are CHEM or BCHM major, be sure to talk to your Pre-Health Advisor, who can help you find the appropriate chemistry courses.

Physics

Generally two courses in physics with associated labs are required. At CU Boulder, you have the option of taking an algebra-based sequence or a calculus-based sequence. The algebra-based sequence is usually most recommended, unless your major requires the calculus-based sequence.
Option 1 (Algebra-based)

  • General Physics 1 (PHYS 2010), 5 credits, lab included
  • General Physics 2 (PHYS 2020), 5 credits, lab included

Option 2 (Calculus-based)

  • General Physics 1 (PHYS 1110), 4 credits
  • General Physics 2 (PHYS 1120), 4 credits
  • Experimental Physics 1 (PHYS 1140), 1 credit

Math and Statistics

Generally, college math, calculus and statistics are required. At CU Boulder, we suggest the following:

  • Precalculus Mathematics (MATH 1150), 4 credits (If equivalency in college math is needed)
  • Calculus 1 (MATH 1300), 5 credits
  • And, choose one:
    • Introduction to Statistics (MATH 2510), 3 credits OR
    • Psychological Science 1: Statistics (PSYC 2111), 4 credits OR
    • Data Science & Biostatistics (IPHY 3280), 4 credits

Psychology

Most schools require one semester of Psychology. We recommend:

  • General Psychology (PSYC 1001), 3 credits

Additional Classes to Consider

Courses in additional disciplines that are of interest to you will provide you with a broad and relevant foundation for optometry school. Consider enhancing your studies in art, ethics, philosophy, global and public health, and cross-cultural studies.

Talk to your Pre-Health Advisor to find out which of these might help set your application apart.

Other Desired Traits and Experiences

It is important to note that there are 22 accredited optometry schools in the United States. Colorado does not have an optometry school; Colorado residents may apply for the equivalent of in-state tuition for optometry schools through the WICHE (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education) program.

Getting into professional school is about desiring to be a better person and better future professional. It is a complex process and OPHA's Pre-health Advisors are here to help you find out what experiences, like shadowing and direct patient interaction, are right for you. They can also help you build a comprehensive application, showcasing your unique skills that set you apart.

Updated June 2022