Pre-professional: Optometry

Students wishing to become optometrists complete a BA or BS degree at Calvin before entering optometry school to complete four additional years of study culminating in the doctor of optometry (OD) degree.

In addition to the courses listed below, many schools also recommend anatomy and a business or economics course. These requirements may be met within the context of a biology or other science major at Calvin. Students should consult the website of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (www.opted.org) and work with the pre-optometry advisor, R. Bebej, to plan a course of study that meets the requirements of the optometry schools to which they intend to apply. All applicants to optometry school are required to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), which is given on computer and may be taken at any time. Most students take the OAT after completion of the junior year of college. Application deadlines at the various optometry schools range from January 1 to April 1.