Updated at: 10-04-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

If you want to know which optometry schools have the least stringent entry requirements, you’ve found the right place.

Sight is one of the five senses, and in today’s technologically advanced world, it’s crucial that everyone have ready access to specialized eye care and schedule regular checkups.

As an optometrist, you’ll learn to examine eyes, diagnose diseases, and fit patients with corrective eyewear like glasses and contacts.

Optometry is a field that offers many opportunities to those who study it. You can learn more about the problems that can affect your eyesight while putting what you’ve learned into practice at one of several available placements.

There is potential for further education and certification in areas like glaucoma, contact lens prescription, and low vision care as a result of this.

As with any other medical program, optometry school admission is highly competitive; a strong academic record is no guarantee of acceptance.

We have compiled a list of the most accessible optometry programs in the country. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to know before we list the schools with the least stringent admissions standards.

Optometry Schools With The Easiest Admission Requirements

Optometry schools with the easiest admission requirements

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry

Future eye care professionals can get the practical experience they need to help others at the world-famous UAB Eye Care facility, thanks to the School of Optometry. The fact that 97.87 percent of students graduate from the institution is great news for residents of Birmingham and beyond who could benefit from these outstanding resources.

Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry

Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry

Optometry students at Nova Southeastern University spend their first two years studying the sciences and their second two years gaining practical experience in clinics. The university provides extensive resources for all students, regardless of major, such as funding for international mission trips and state-of-the-art equipment. Members of the American Academy of Optometry and other experts in eye exams are also on staff at the university.

Oklahoma College of Optometry

The Oklahoma College of Optometry is highly recommended if you want to become an optometrist. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees are all on offer to students at Oklahoma College of Optometry. They have several certificate programs in addition to their associate degree options.

University of Houston College of Optometry

The College of Optometry at the University of Houston aspires to improve people’s eyesight by being the global leader in research and education pertaining to optometry, vision science, and clinical care, and by doing so with unmatched excellence, integrity, and compassion.

Indiana University School of Optometry

Indiana University School of Optometry

The Indiana University School of Optometry is dedicated to preparing students for careers in optometry, the ophthalmic industry, and vision science in order to protect, advance, and promote the vision, eye care, and health of people everywhere. Teaching, researching, and serving to further education and understanding.

Michigan College of Optometry

Located in Big Rapids, Michigan, the Michigan College of Optometry is a specialized optometry school associated with Ferris State University.

There is no other school of optometry in Michigan. In 1974, the state legislature established the school after determining there was a need for optometrists.

The Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University is where you can get your start in the eye care industry. Join the next generation of optometry leaders by gaining the knowledge, expertise, and character you need in the Doctor of Optometry program.

Arizona College of Optometry, Midwestern University

Students at Arizona College of Optometry can expect to be challenged to develop their technical abilities while being urged to put their attention where it truly belongs: on their patients.

You and your classmates will learn best in an atmosphere that encourages teamwork and cooperation through group projects, rotations, and practice sessions.

You’ll get real-world experience caring for patients at the Midwestern University Eye Institute while you study there. You can use this knowledge fortress to become an indispensable member of the healthcare team of the future.

University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry

University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry

The brightest minds in the world come to Berkeley to learn, question, and change the world. Here, distinguished professors can teach, probe, guide, and encourage the minds that will shape the world in the future.

This popular and accessible school of optometry offers a comprehensive curriculum culminating in a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree over the course of four years, as well as an optional yearlong residency in one of six clinical optometry subspecialties (primary care, ocular disease, contact lenses, low vision, binocular vision, and pediatrics) that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).

Graduate students in Vision Science at Berkeley can pursue either a Master of Science or a Doctor of Philosophy.

Western University of Health Sciences

Dental medicine, health sciences, medical sciences, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine, and veterinary medicine are just some of the degrees that can be earned at Western University of Health Sciences, an independent nonprofit health professions university with campuses in Pomona, California, and Lebanon. WesternU Health, located on campus, offers exceptional interprofessional medical care.

For over 45 years, WesternU has been educating future generations of healthcare leaders. Our graduates are prepared to treat each patient as an individual thanks to a curriculum centered on humanistic values.

Southern College of Optometry

Southern College of Optometry

Memphis, Tennessee is home to one of the best optometry schools in the country: Southern College of Optometry.

The Southern College of Optometry has been thriving since its founding in 1932.

With the recent $ 9.4 million expansion, the school has installed state-of-the-art technology throughout the campus. The Eye Center is a teaching clinic on campus where students get real-world experience treating the school’s 60,000 patients.

SCO has a record 98.5% graduation rate because every year 136 new students enroll and almost all of them complete the program.

There have been fourteen presidents of the American Optometric Association who are COS alumni. It’s easy to see why SCO students choose to continue their education; the school has a student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1 and offers over 60 sponsored scholarships annually.

They are getting the attention and care they need to become the best opticians in the country.

Pacific University

The Forest Grove area is home to Pacific, a small private non-profit university. According to Best Colleges, Pacific University is a top-notch choice, ranking #230 out of 2,241 national universities.

About 88 optometry students graduated from Pacific with this degree in the most recent reporting year. Optometry degree holders can expect an average starting salary of $89,820 per year.

Ohio State University College of Optometry

Given its status as one of the largest public universities in the United States, Ohio State University’s College of Optometry should come as no surprise.

The school’s faculty includes some of the nation’s foremost medical journal authors, innovators in optical technology, and leaders in prestigious academic organizations. The Prentice Medal Award for Distinguished Scientists and the Low Vision Educational Grant are two of the most prestigious honors given to students and faculty members in academia.

The OSU College of Optometry places a high value on its students, with a 96.83% graduation rate despite its emphasis on research. Current students have nothing but praise for the program’s cutting-edge resources and friendly professors, which is quite an achievement for a school that accepts only 64 new students per year.

These results suggest the institution is meeting its objectives in producing excellent optometrists and conducting innovative research.

University of Missouri at St. Louis College of Optometry

There must be something special about the UMiss-SL College of Optometry that accounts for its 31% acceptance rate and 95.65% graduation rate. They actively seek out prospective optometrists from all over the country and provide them with support to increase the likelihood that they will graduate.

The school’s commitment to its students is consistent with its core values of learning, personal development, exploration, and fellowship.

Both students and faculty have been instrumental in advancing diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as programs to better provide eye care to those in need in the community.

Those hoping to enroll in the College of Optometry at UMiss-SL should have stellar recommendations, experience, and academic credentials.

University of Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry

The Rosenberg School of Optometry at the University of the Incarnate Word is the only optometry school affiliated with a house of worship.

The mission of the UIWRSO is to educate the next generation of skilled, sympathetic, and helpful optometrists. UIWRSO is always looking for talented people who are ready to take on leadership roles and have an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

Applications obtainable: UIWRSO provides a 4 year BS in Vision Science/DO program that does not require an undergraduate degree in the field first.

FAQs

What is Optometry?

Optometrists examine patients’ eyes and visual systems for any defects or flaws.

Any medical practitioner, from those with advanced degrees to medical doctors, who specializes in eye care is considered an optometrist. Optometrists are trained to diagnose and treat problems with the eye and provide expert advice based on their findings.

The most common issues addressed by optometrists are related to the eyes themselves, including ocular disease, neuro-optometry, and eye therapy.

Obtaining an optometry degree can take up to four years, and the total time spent in school to become an ophthalmologist can reach seven or eight years.

Why is Optometry important?

Optometrists are in high demand in today’s society because of the crucial role eyes play in our daily lives. Optometrists receive training in a variety of methods for evaluating a patient’s eyesight.

In addition, they learn how to perform ocular examinations for the purpose of diagnosing and treating eye diseases.

The age-related decline in our eyes’ ability to adapt to changing light and distance conditions is a common problem. Optometrists receive extensive training to assist patients with vision impairments or issues.

So, if you’re asking that, I’d wager you’re already questioning whether or not this is the right career path for you.

Can BSc optometry be called doctor?

A medical doctor is not the same thing as a doctor of optometry (O.D. ). To correct vision problems, she or he may recommend vision therapy and eye medication.

How many years does it take to become an optometrist?

There are two years of prerequisite coursework followed by four years of actual optometry study in this six-year degree program. Human Anatomy & Physiology are just two examples of the types of classes you could take while enrolled in this program.

Is Optometry School Easier Than Medical School?

There are many parallels between the curriculums of optometry and medical schools. Biochemistry, anatomy, and psychology, for example, will take up a significant portion of your time.

Both optometry and medical schools require students to have a strong background in chemistry and mathematics.

However, in optometry school, your focus will be solely on the eye. However, in medical school, you will gain knowledge of the human body as a whole, which is a major advantage.

Is optometry school less difficult than medical school, though? Generally speaking, the answer is yes. This is an important consideration, but it does highlight the need for substantial investment in medical and optometry education.

Conclusion

Now that you know more about optometry schools and how to get accepted into the best ones, you can make sure your application stands out by giving it the attention it deserves and demonstrating that you have what it takes to succeed.

It’s no secret that optometry school is challenging. If you want things to go smoothly and look good on your resume, attending one of these top schools is a must.

Finally, if you are interested in optometry as a career path but are unsure of where to begin, the institutions listed above are excellent options.