Pre-optometry advising sessions are available! Please visit Lyle Tate’s Calendly page here to schedule an advising appointment.
O.D. Applicants: Please note that our letter of recommendation requirements for applying to our professional O.D. program have changed. Click here for details.
Course | # of Hours |
---|---|
Biological Sciences with Labs A | 8 Hours |
Fundamentals of Chemistry with Labs A | 8 Hours |
General Physics with Labs A,B | 8 Hours |
Calculus C | 3 Hours |
Jr/Sr-Level Human Anatomy and/or Human Physiology D | 3 Hours |
Jr/Sr-Level Human Systems-Focused Biology D | 5 Hours |
Organic Chemistry with Lab> | 4 Hours |
Biochemistry | 3 Hours |
Microbiology with Lab A | 4 Hours |
Statistics | 3 Hours |
Psychology | 3 Hours |
*** A Bachelor's degree is required prior to matriculation for admission to the professional program at the University of Houston College of Optometry.
*** Prerequisite coursework must be completed within five years of the date of application.
*** Letters of recommendation must be requested via and submitted directly to OptomCAS. UHCO requires two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic mentor. This mentor could be a professor, an advisor, a coach, or any other individual capable of speaking to the applicant’s academic preparedness in regard to their professionalism, dedication, intuition, character, integrity, wisdom, teamwork, responsibility, humanity, etc. The other letter of recommendation is strongly recommended to come from an optometrist with whom the applicant has worked or shadowed. A minimum of 20 hours of direct optometric experience is also required from at least two settings (e.g., shadowing/work experience from two optometric practices, ideally in varying modalities).
*** The College of Optometry requires that newly admitted applicants complete and successfully pass a Criminal Background Check (CBC) prior to matriculation. Offers of admission are contingent upon this CBC and upon the UHCO Admissions Committee’s review of its findings. Additionally, UHCO students complete two external clinical rotations, and all US federal clinics (VA, military, Indian Health Service) require a CBC. This CBC is separate and in addition to the one completed as part of the admissions process. The CBC occurs approximately 6-12 weeks prior to the date the externship begins and as determined by the site.