Pre-Optometry Program
Students interested in attending optometry school must have earned a baccalaureate degree prior to the start date at the program of their choice. Most optometry schools accept applications while the individual still obtains the baccalaureate degree and fulfills minimum requirements. Preferred candidates must complete all prerequisites with a grade of C or better. Typical applicants have a GPA above 3.6 and documented hours observing a practicing optometrist in a clinical setting.
Most students have at least 20 hours of clinical shadowing experience before entering a program. Optometry degree programs require their applicants to take the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) and submit their applications through the OPTOMCAS application platform. Scores from other standardized tests such as the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may be accepted by optometry schools – verify this with your school of interest.
Fast Facts
Degree: By earning your Bachelor’s Degree at Midland University in the Pre-Optometry Program, you will be prepared to jump straight into graduate work in a professional program.
College/School: College of Health Professions/School of Health Sciences
Suggested Major at Midland University:
Biology – View the Sample Course of Study →
Pre-Optometry Course Information
These courses are typically not required for graduate school in the field of Optometry, but are strongly recommended and may be helpful for students who intent to attend graduate school for Optometry. All course descriptions can be found in the Academic Catalog.
MTH210: Elementary Statistics
MTH220: Calculus I
PSY120: Fundamentals of Psychology
BIO215: Microbiology
BIO125: General Biology I with lab
BIO126: General Biology II with lab
PHY151: General Physics I with lab
PHY152: General Physics II with lab
WRI101: Composition I
CHE103: General Chemistry I with lab
CHE104: General Chemistry II with lab
CHE201: Organic Chemistry I with lab
BIO204: Anatomy & Physiology I with lab
BIO205: Anatomy & Physiology II with lab
These courses are typically not required for graduate school in the field of Optometry, but are strongly recommended and may be helpful for students who intent to attend graudate school for Optometry.
CHE407: Biochemistry
BIO106: General Zoology
BIO415: Immunology
MTH145: College Trigonometry
Program Faculty
Dr. Evangeline Rukundo, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Email Address: rukundo@midlandu.edu
Phone Number: 402-941-6322
Key Experiences
Along their academic journey, students take part in what we call “Key Experiences.” These experiences will spark learning outside of the classroom and beyond the textbook. They get students learning first-hand about a profession, seeing the process from an up-close perspective, and thinking outside the box.
Internships, Collaborative Courses & Projects, ePortfolios
- Students will design and conduct an experiment during their Biology Capstone course. Students will prepare audio-visual presentations and create a poster to present at the campus Research Fair.
- Students create a completely original organism (plant or animal) for a given set of environmental and habitat conditions that are assigned to them. Students are provided with a set of environmental conditions, location, and other pertinent information about a region. Based upon the information provided, they have to design an organism that will be perfectly adapted to that setting (they must describe the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the organism including its morphology, external characteristics, digestion, respiration, circulation, reproduction, behavioral response, and any other characteristics that are “unique” to their organism. Once the students design the organism they have to write a paper describing it along with art work. Finally, the students have to create a presentation that will be shared with the entire class.
Careers with an Advanced Degree
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
According to the BLS, because vision problems tend to occur more frequently later in life, an aging population will lead to demand for optometrists. As people age, they become more susceptible to developing diseases that impair vision, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, and will therefore need vision care.
Some possible careers include:
Optometrists provide primary eye care services to patients of all ages. They perform comprehensive eye examinations, prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, diagnose and treat common eye conditions, and provide pre- and post-operative care for patients undergoing eye surgeries.
Optometrists can specialize in various areas of eye care, such as pediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, low vision rehabilitation, sports vision, vision therapy, or ocular disease management. They undergo additional training and certification in their chosen specialty and provide specialized eye care services tailored to specific patient populations or conditions.
Optometrists with a passion for research can pursue careers as ophthalmic researchers, conducting studies to advance the understanding of eye diseases, vision disorders, and treatment modalities. They may work in academic institutions, research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, or government agencies, contributing to scientific knowledge and innovation in the field of optometry and ophthalmology.
Optometrists can work as faculty members or educators in optometry schools or colleges. They teach optometry students, conduct research, and contribute to the development of optometric education programs. They may specialize in areas such as clinical instruction, didactic teaching, or academic administration, preparing the next generation of optometrists for clinical practice.
Optometrists can specialize in contact lens fitting and management, providing specialized services for patients who wear contact lenses. They evaluate patients’ vision and ocular health, fit contact lenses, prescribe lens options, and provide education and training on lens care and maintenance.
Optometrists specializing in low vision rehabilitation work with patients who have significant vision loss that cannot be corrected with standard eyeglasses, contact lenses, or medical treatments. They assess patients’ visual function, prescribe low vision aids and devices, and provide training and support to help patients maximize their remaining vision and maintain independence.
Optometrists can work in community health centers, public health departments, or non-profit organizations, providing eye care services to underserved populations and addressing public health issues related to vision and eye health. They may participate in community outreach programs, vision screenings, and preventive care initiatives to promote eye health and prevent vision loss in the community.
Optometrists can work in corporate settings such as retail optical chains, vision care centers, or corporate healthcare clinics. They provide comprehensive eye examinations, prescribe eyewear, and manage ocular conditions for patients within the corporate setting, often collaborating with other healthcare professionals and retail staff to deliver integrated eye care services.
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