[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-292685-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":81,"doc-detail-292685-en":131},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":74,"head_meta":76,"extra_data":78,"updated_unix":80},105,"en","pre-optometry-requirements","Pre-Optometry Requirements","","Pre-Optometry Requirements outline a planning framework for prospective optometry students, summarizing common course prerequisites across many U.S. optometry schools. It provides guidance on major selection, advisor-reviewed academic planning, and recommended preparation for the OAT, including which chemistry, biology, math, and physics courses to complete beforehand. It also covers optional differences for schools requiring anatomy/physiology and additional upper-level science work, plus a sample multi-year timeline. The document further explains the OptomCAS application process, GPA considerations, ePortfolio mock application drafts, professional development expectations, and recommendation letters.",{"@graph":14,"@context":73},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/exam/","Exam",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/pre-optometry-requirements/292685/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/pre-optometry-requirements/292685.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Rowan","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-21","2026-09-17",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",17,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"Do optometry schools require a specific undergraduate major?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"No. Most optometry schools do not require a particular major, though students should select one based on strengths and interests and keep it as a backup option.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"Which courses should be completed before taking the OAT?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"Courses in General Chemistry, Biology, Organic Chemistry, and Physics should be completed before taking the exam, and the OAT is typically taken the same summer students apply.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"How does the application process work for optometry school?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"A centralized service, OptomCAS, is used for applications submitted one year before entry and available for late-June submission. Schools review applicants on a rolling basis, so applying early when the application opens is advised.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":75,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":77,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":79,"site_id":7},292685,1789654131,{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":83},"success",[84,88,92,95,100,105,110,115,120,123,127],{"id":22,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":85,"show_sort_weight":86,"slug":87},"Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":26,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":89,"show_sort_weight":90,"slug":91},"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":33,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":93,"slug":94},70,"exam",{"id":96,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":97,"show_sort_weight":98,"slug":99},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":101,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":102,"show_sort_weight":103,"slug":104},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":106,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":107,"show_sort_weight":108,"slug":109},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":111,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":112,"show_sort_weight":113,"slug":114},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":116,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":117,"show_sort_weight":118,"slug":119},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":118,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":121,"show_sort_weight":118,"slug":122},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":124,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":125,"show_sort_weight":124,"slug":126},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":128,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":129,"show_sort_weight":96,"slug":130},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":132},{"doc_id":79,"user_id":133,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":134,"doc_module":4,"category_id":33,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":135,"file_id":136,"file_url":137,"file_type":138,"file_size":139,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":30,"language":140,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":141,"faqs":142,"seo_title":143,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":80,"read_time":111},1099514067415,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/100002539d78ffe74a7?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1779092875211072502","Pre-Optometry Requirements  \nIntroduction: This information is based on the general requirements of most (>50%) optometry schools across the nation. It will be up to each student to research schools of interest and to finalize any remaining requirements.  \n• It is strongly advised that students take every course tested on the OAT (marked with *) .  \n• Optometry schools do not require any particular major. Students should select a major based on academic strengths and interests.  \n• Each student should develop a plan based on: necessary optometry school requirements and, should they choose to earn a BS/BA, the requirements for their undergrad degree.  \n• A draft of your academic plan needs to be reviewed with your advisor from your major.  \nRequired by MOST Optometry Schools  \nChemistry: 2 Semesters  \n*CHEM 1031 + CHEM 1033  \n*CHEM 1032 + CHEM 1034  \nOrganic Chemistry: 1-2 Semesters *CHEM 2201 + CHEM 2203  \n*CHEM 2202 + CHEM 2204  \nPsychology: 1 Semester PSY 1001  \nEnglish: 2 Semesters ENG 0802  \nIH 0851  \nIH 0852  \nBiology: 3 Semesters  \n*BIOL 1111  \n*BIOL 1112 or 2112 BIOL 2001 or BIOL 3317  \nMath: 2 Semesters MATH 1041  \nMATH 1042  \nMATH 1044, PSY 1003, SOC 1167, or BIOL 3312  \nPhysics: 2 Semesters  \nPhysics requirement dictated by major.  \n*PHYS 1021 (or 1061 or 2021)  \n*PHYS 1022 (or 1062 or 2022)  \n*Tested on the OAT  \nTo look up courses please navigate the bulletin  \nRequired by SOME Optometry Schools  \nAnatomy & Physiology: 2 Semesters  \nCheck schools of interest on whether a lab is required KINS 1223 (or 1221 or BIOL 2233)  \nKINS 1224 (or 1222 or BIOL 3334)  \nUpper Level Sciences:  \nRefer to schools of interest to determine if any additional sciences are required. Recommended courses below: Biochemistry: BIOL 4375, CHEM 4401 or 3401  \nSample Timeline  \nFall Semester Spring Semester Summer  \nYear 1  \nYear 2  \nYear 3  \nYear 4  \n\n| Chemistry I Calculus I | Chemistry II Biology I Statistics | Exposure to Medicine\u003Cbr>Community Service |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n\n\n| Organic Chemistry I Biology II | Organic Chemistry II Psychology | Continue Volunteering\u003Cbr>Research |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n\n\n| Physics I\u003Cbr>OAT Prep | Physics II Microbiology OAT Prep | OAT Exam by May/June\u003Cbr>Apply to Optometry School by June/July Secondary Applications |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n\n\n| Any Additional Requirements Optometry School Interview | Any Additional Requirements Optometry School Interview | Take a break before Optometry! |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n\nThis timeline is an example of how you may wish to take courses in a perfect world. The timing of these courses may change due to placement exams or major requirements. In addition to these courses, each student will fit in any classes required by their major. Develop an academic plan based on the sequence above that is tailored to your needs so that you and your advisor can discuss your plan.  \nVisit Temple’s bulletin to view the availability and prerequisites of each course.  \nePortfolio  \nePorfolio is a tool that will help students stay organized for a school application. Through the ePortfolio process, students will set up a‘mock application’ that includes GPAs and professional development experiences. ePortfolio drafts are due to PPHA June 30th two years before students plan to enter professional school.  \nThe circle above represents four areas that are important for admission to professional school. As you embark on your journey to optometry school, think about ways to enhance each of these four sections.  \nApplying to Optometry School  \nApplication Process: A centralized application service is available through the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS) which is administered by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) . Applications are submitted one year before students expect to enter optometry school and are available for submission in late June. Schools view applicants on a rolling basis – apply early when the application opens!  \nUndergraduate Major: There is no pref","cbCaip90qrYy76K1","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaip90qrYy76K1","pdf",199421,"English","# Introduction\n# Required by MOST Optometry Schools\n# Required by SOME Optometry Schools\n# Sample Timeline\n# Applying to Optometry School\n## Application Process\n## Undergraduate Major and GPA\n## Optometry Admission Test (OAT)\n## Professional Development and Recommendations","[{\"question\":\"Do optometry schools require a specific undergraduate major?\",\"answer\":\"No. Most optometry schools do not require a particular major, though students should select one based on strengths and interests and keep it as a backup option.\"},{\"question\":\"Which courses should be completed before taking the OAT?\",\"answer\":\"Courses in General Chemistry, Biology, Organic Chemistry, and Physics should be completed before taking the exam, and the OAT is typically taken the same summer students apply.\"},{\"question\":\"How does the application process work for optometry school?\",\"answer\":\"A centralized service, OptomCAS, is used for applications submitted one year before entry and available for late-June submission. Schools review applicants on a rolling basis, so applying early when the application opens is advised.\"}]","Pre-Optometry Requirements | PDF"]