Pre-Optometry at SOU | Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

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Pre-Optometry Studies at Southern Oregon University

What does Pre-Professional Optometry look like at SOU?

Overview of Pre-Professional Optometry

SOU is proud to offer intensive and diverse preparatory curriculum for Pre-Optometry. Students commonly major in Biology or Chemistry in this field, but may major in non-science areas, commonly health or social science fields. Pre-Optometry (Pre-OD) students will experience a well-synergized curriculum in biology, chemistry, math, and social science with the purpose of not only meeting graduate school requirements, but also ideal preparation for the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). Though pre-professional programs represent a core set of recommended coursework, they are not academic majors themselves. This program is meant be completed in addition to standard degree programs, and will serve the student by providing necessary prerequisite coursework for their desired professional goals, but offer the flexibility to change some of that coursework to suite a preferred professional schools.

ASCOs Careers Guide for Optometry

A Brief Introduction to the Educational Pathway

Typically, this program starts off with a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, math, and writing. Once the student's foundational curriculum is completed, they can inquire about the potential for an informational interview with a practitioners in the Rogue Valley through local businesses. In the middle years of curriculum, students will complete advanced courses in organic chemistry, while developing skills in human anatomy and microbiology, and professionally-oriented electives such as immunology, pathophysiology, and advanced human anatomy. After completing the middle years of the curriculum, students may inquire about the potential for a 1-2 day observation/shadow of a practitioner in the Rogue Valley. Students can also accessorize their curriculum with minors in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Health Promotions or elective coursework in a foreign language. Generally, students will be ready to take the OAT in the Spring or Summer before their last year at SOU, where they will finish any remaining major curriculum and potentially continue a shadowing experience with a practitioner.

Students working through their first year can expect to take courses aligning with the First-Year Pre-Optometry Planner. The most common majors for this track are Biology and Chemistry.

What are the differences between an Optometrist, Ophthamologist, and Optician?

Understanding Scopes of Practice

In this section, students can learn more about some of the professionals who work in the realm of eye care!

Optician vs Optometrist
Optometrist vs Ophthamologist

Optician vs Optometrist

Opticians serve in the front-line of eye care, and operate as the most customer-facing role in the profession. Typically, when entering an eye care facility you will encounter an optician when being fitted for corrective equipment such as frames or lenses. They generally interpret the prescriptions of the practitioner they serve, and have a basic knowledge about eyes. While some opticians can assist with identifying potential concerns in eye health, they have no training in diagnosis or treatment. Opticians often help with fulfilling prescriptions, lense crafting, appointment scheduling, inventory management, and equipment repair.

Many people confuse the two roles commonly, likely because of the similiarity of names and presence in the workplace. They are very different professions, and opticians tend to work for optometrists to keep practices running smoothly. Typically, opticians are trained through on-the-job apprenticeships or an associates/vocational training program at a school accredited by the American Board of Opticians or the Commission on Opticiantry Accreditation.

Optometrist vs Ophthamologist

Optometrists are at the forefront of corrective vision care and eye care services such as diagnosis and treatment of vision impediments like near/farsightedness, astigmatisms, cornea health, glaucoma, and cataracts. They are most commonly used to assist in the appropriate prescription of vision correction equipment such as glasses and contacts. They assist with identifying numerous eye diseases and disorders, and while they are not medical doctors or surgeons, they can assist with non-invasive vision correction such as LASEK. They typically run their own independent practices or work in a larger practice, and are licensed by their respective states and nationally.

Optometrists attend a professional graduate training program for 3-4 years learning in-depth material needed to be effective practioners. They work hand-in-hand with ophthamologists, their medical counterpart. They can receive advanced training through certifications and fellowships to handle a wider scope of vision and eye care. While Ophthamologists may be trained in vision/corrective care, they tend to not offer the services that an optometrist does. Patients should always feel comfortable getting a physician recommendation from an optometrist to find the best ophthamologist for them.

Differences in Education

The biggest difference between an Optometrist (OD) and an Ophthamologist (MD or DO) is the education and specialty training they receive. Both are licensed practicioners and require advanced post-baccalaureate training. Ophthamologists will attend medical school and upon graduation (with their MD or DO), they will attend a fellowship or advanced training program in ophthamology which trains them on medical and surgical procedures regarding the eyes, and affording them the privelege to practice medicine and prescribe medication. They have the ability to prescribe corrective vision equipment, but typically work with an optometrist to do so. Given their highly specialized training, they are commonly available only through referral.

Students of both fields are expected to take fundamental courses in math, physics, and social science along with advanced coursework in biology and chemistry. Both are well-served with medical experience, research, and extracurricular involvement.

What does the world of an Optometrist look like Professionally?

Overview

Optometrists commonly have their own practice, and see patients during a traditional business week, flexing day-to-day hours as needed to accommodate demand. It isn't uncommon to see 2-3 days a week with regular business hours and 1-2 days a week with late-morning to mid-evening hours to assist with working professionals, and even an occassional Saturday. Optometrists, like all independent practicioners must wear the hat of both a medical professional and business owner who handles daily operations and supervises staff.

An optometrist typically has set times they work with patients needing routine care, or post-operative managemange, and appointments focusing on pathology. Commonly, you can see ODs administering regular eye exams to keep patients up-to-date on their corrective vision care and assisting patients who have minor ailments like astigmatisms. They tend to write presriptions to have fulfilled by opticians on-staff who ensure they are correctly delivered. Optometrists commonly provide on-site training for current OD-candidates in their 2nd and 3rd year studies and supervise their patient contact hours.

Support, Governance, and Accreditation

Support

Nationally:

Overall, there are only a select few groups amid the many which support Optometrists professionally. In terms of education, students can rely on information provided by the American Optometric Association (AOA) or the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). This organization serves as the main, overarching resource for optometrists in the US and Canada. There are specialty groups for ODs, but the largest non-AOA group is the National Optometric Association which serves underrepresented minorities in the field.

In Oregon:

In the state of Oregon, students should refer to the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association (OOPA) to learn more about practices and support systems in the state.

At Southern Oregon University:

All Pre-Health programs can find a home in the SOU Pre-Healthcare Society. Students who are in any health discipline are encouraged to join this group, and its membership is not based on academic major, but rather professional interests in healthcare. Students from medical programs, mental health programs, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and other fields are welcome. To contact this organization, please email SOUprehealthcare@gmail.com.

Governance

Nationally, the Optometrists are governed by the federal government, but more directly by the collective group of the following organizations:

American Optometric Association (also houses the American Council on Optometric Education) [Governance, Federal Relations, and Accreditation]
American Board of Optometry which houses licensing requirements
National Board of Examiners in Optometry which manages testing for professionals (Requirements by State)

Specialties and Licenses

In this section, students can learn more about the specialties and licensing requirements for ODs

Specialty Areas
Licensing

Specialty Areas

All of the following areas require students to have completed their OD requirements, and be board-certified before starting. Generally, these programs are comprised of either coursework or residency, but in some cases both are required. The links below speak more directly about the requirements for each field.

Behavioral Optometry

Behavioral optometry is an uncommon, but growing field, in the profession. These professionals focus on the treatment of vision problems from a holistic perspective. Treatments are geared towards reducing stress and assisting with remedying ailments like panic attacks, migraines, and depression.

Geriatric Optometry

Geriatric Optometry is one of the fastest growing fields inside of optometric practicioners due to its overwhelming demand. These specialists are highly trained in managing degenerative eye diseases. Many of these professionals are certified to perform laser-based corrective procedures.

Low Vision Therapy

This field is not restricted to ODs, as Ophthamologists may also gain additional training in this area. This specialty gives additional training on the diagnosis, treatment, and chronic management of extreme visual impairments which cannot be readily treated with corrective lenses or even surgery.

Neuro-Optometry

This specialty is often found as a part of a post-trauma/operation team, and is often partnered with Occupational and Physical Therapists. Following an event which causes trauma/injury to the eyes with symptoms like trouble focusing, double-vision, dizziness, and visual hallucinations these specialists can assist in a patient's recovery. Generally, these professionals are found in large, urban settings.

Pediatric Optometry

Serving as the "other" large specialty in the field, pediatric optometrists receive extra training in working with young children and young adults in problems which commonly impact daily life. These could include far- and nearsightedness, astigmatism, amblyopia, strabismus and more.

Licensing

In general, students can expect to take at least the following exams to move into a National Certification, for a basic OD:

The following exams are referred to as the "National Boards"

Additional national licensing can come from the following exams:

As mentioned above, each state can have different requirements for practicing, even beyond what is listed above. To find out more about a given state's requirements, please click here: Requirements by State

In Oregon, licensure is maintained by the Oregon Board of Optometry.

What do I need to get into Optometry School?

Common Majors

Common majors for optometry school tend to come from the natural sciences and social sciences, but are not limited to any specific field.

You can find majors from Biology, Chemistry, Zoology, Psychology, Sociology, Health Science, and many more.

You might ask yourself, which major is the best major? The answer is, whichever one you personally engage with the most, and you feel provides you with a professionally oriented curriculum. Keep in mind, all of your medical training/science knowledge will come from your prerequisites and graduate programs, so the other courses which make up your degree should be relavent to you.

Myth: "Graduate programs tend to pick only the Biology/Chemistry students with 4.0 GPAs"

Fact: Graduate programs aren't looking for cookie-cutter students who only know the sciences. Medical Professionals serve in a wide array of professional capacities, and therefore must come from a wide array of backgrounds. Good grades, solid prerequisites, and a passion to succeed make the core requirements for these schools, but they are also seeking well-rounded, real people who have a believable reason to work in medicine, and a desire for a given field. Want do do mental health? Consider a major in a social science. Want to do rehabilitative and therapeutic care? Consider a major in the health sciences. What about serving populations with a different heritage language? Think about a degree in foreign languages!

Curriculum Sequencing

Year 1: Laying a Foundation

In Year 1, students should consider working through at least 3 of the following requirements*:

Students with advanced standing should consult with the Student Success Coordinator, Amy Couple (couplea@sou.edu).

Writing and Oral Communication: University Seminar 101, 102 and 103

Mathematics: MTH 111, MTH 112, MTH 251 or MTH 111, MTH 112, MTH 243 (if non-science major).

Biology: Principles of Biology I, II & III (BI 211/211L, BI 212/212L, BI 213/213L)

Chemistry: General Chemistry I, II & III (Ch 221/227, Ch 222/228, Ch 223/229)

*Students can complete all 4 series with proper structuring and support.

Year 2: Advanced Exploration

In Year 2, students will begin exploring different material, and can consider some of the following course sequences*:

(Lab Sequence) Physics: General Physics (PH 201/224, PH 202/225, PH 203/226) --- Students can take the Algebra or Calculus based version of Physics. Chemistry majors should consult with their advisor before deciding which one is better.

(Priority - Lab Sequence) Chemistry: Organic Chemistry (see below Competitive/Minimum sections to decide which is best)

(Lab Sequence) Biology: Genetics, Cell Biology, Microbiology (BI 341, BI 342, BI 351/353)

Mathematics/Social Science/Humanities: Depending on where students have fulfilled credits, they can explore in these areas. See below Competitive/Minimum sections to decide which is best.

* Students should NOT take more than two lab sequences in this year.

Year 3: Finishing Exploration and Preparing for the OAT

In this year, students should be completing whichever lab sequence they did not from the year before.

(Lab Sequence) Physics: General Physics (PH 201/224, PH 202/225, PH 203/226) --- Students can take the Algebra or Calculus based version of Physics. Chemistry majors should consult with their advisor before deciding which one is better.

(Priority - Lab Sequence) Human Anatomy and Physiology: If students chose to complete the Year-Long Organic Chemistry sequence, they should be taking Human Anatomy and Physiology this year (BI 231/232/233 or BI 361/362/363, please see advisor for details)

(Lab Sequence) Biology: Genetics, Cell Biology, Microbiology (BI 341, BI 342, BI 351/353) OR Biology Electives (see below Competitive/Minimum sections to decide which is best)

Social Science/Humanities: Depending on where students have fulfilled credits, they can explore in these areas. See below Competitive/Minimum sections to decide which is best.

Competitive - Recommended Prerequisites at SOU

Ideal candidates can find the best preparation from a major in Biology or Chemistry at SOU.

Biology & Chemistry

Foundational Biology and Chemistry:

Biology: Year-Long Principles of Biology Sequence (BI 211/211L, BI 212/212L, BI 213/213L)

Chemistry: Year-Long General Chemistry Sequence (CH 221/227, CH 222/228, CH 223/229)

Advanced Coursework (Desired):

Biology: Genetics (BI 341), Cell Biology (BI 342), Microbiology (BI 351/353)

Chemistry: Year-Long Organic Chemistry Series with Spectroscopy (CH 334/337, CH 335/340, CH 336/341), Single term of Biochemistry, CH 350 in the Spring

**Highly Preferred** : Pre-Professional Optometry Students should consider participation in the Organic Chemistry Mentorship program, allowing the advancement of individual organic chemistry knowledge, while helping your fellow students! This is offered in the year after completing Organic Chemistry as a course: CH 434, CH 435, CH 436 (1 credit each).

Advanced Electives (Preferred, choose those which can fit into your schedule):

Immunology (BI 456), Pathogenesis/Pathophysiology (BI 355), Molecular Biology (BI 425), Topics in Human Anatomy w/Lab (Lectures: BI 361, 362, 363, Labs: BI 364L, 365L, 366L), Neurophysiology (BI 315)

Mathematics & Physics

Foundational Mathematics and Physics:

Mathematics: Precalculus I: College Algebra (MTH 111), Precalculus II: Elementary Functions (MTH 112), Introduction to Statistics (MTH 243)

Physics: Year-Long General Physics Sequence (PH 201/224, PH 202/225, PH 203/226) --- Students can take the Algebra or Calculus based version of Physics. Chemistry majors should consult with their advisor before deciding which one is better.

Additional Mathematics Coursework (Preferred)

Applied (Inferential) Statistics (MTH 244), Calculus I (MTH 251) - Chemistry majors will have more math to complete in addition to MTH 251

Minimum - Recommended Prerequisites at SOU

Biology & Chemistry

Foundational Biology and Chemistry:

Biology: Year-Long Principles of Biology Sequence (BI 211/211L, BI 212/212L, BI 213/213L)

Chemistry: Year-Long General Chemistry Sequence (CH 221/227, CH 222/228, CH 223/229)

Advanced Coursework (Desired):

Biology: Genetics (BI 341), Cell Biology (BI 342), Microbiology (BI 351/353)

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry I and II with Labs (CH 334/337 and CH 335/338), and Principles of Biochemistry (CH 350, with instructor approval)

Advanced Electives (Preferred, choose those which can fit into your schedule):

Immunology (BI 456), Pathogenesis/Pathophysiology (BI 355), Molecular Biology (BI 425), Topics in Human Anatomy w/Lab (Lectures: BI 361, 362, 363, Labs: BI 364L, 365L, 366L), Neurophysiology (BI 315)

Mathematics & Physics

Foundational Mathematics and Physics:

Mathematics: Precalculus I: College Algebra (MTH 111), Precalculus II: Elementary Functions (MTH 112), Introduction to Statistics (MTH 243)

Physics: Year-Long General Physics Sequence (PH 201/224, PH 202/225, PH 203/226)

Additional Mathematics Coursework (Preferred)

Applied (Inferential) Statistics (MTH 244)

Entrance Exam Requirements

The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry house the requirements for and administration of the Optometry Admissions Test, or OAT. The OAT will examine a student on the following areas:

Biology
Chemistry (General and Organic Chemistry, mainly)
Reading Comprehension
Physics
Quantitative Reasoning (Generally, this would include at least Algebra/Pre-Calculus and Statistics)

Student OAT Guide for 2020

Extracurricular Involvement/Experience Needs

In this section, students can explore more about the "other" side of the application for graduate school, which is not strictly academic. Students should look forward to answering supplemental essay questions on their professional school applications about these areas, and incorporate these topics into their personal statements.

Leadership

Leadership comes in many different forms, though in the context of college, many students will associate it with school-based organizations. While this is a common, convenient option, it is not the only choice for students. Leadership can arise from a place on employment, religious and other community-based organizations as well. Students should aim to get involved in student organizations if they can, and try to obtain positions of increasing responsibility. Student government (ASSOU), lobbying groups (OSPIRG), and discipline-specific (Pre-Healthcare Sociey, Biology, Chemisty) clubs are a great place to get started, but you can also become involved in things like mentorship, acting, or residence hall associations. It is discouraged for students to join numerous clubs wherein they might extract little leadership opportunity from, but rather they should join one or two groups and aim to be an influence on the culture of the organization.

Diversity

Diversity is not a simple concept to nail down, nor should it be the goal of a student to narrow the idea of diversity to a small set of things. Diversity is present in nearly everything we do, from the way we write, through the way we speak, perceive, and live. Students should not think of diversity as a matter of socioeconomic status and demographic only, but more experiential. Students can gain diversity experience through nearly everything, but it generally involves stepping outside of their comfort zone. Learning a new language, studying abroard, hosting a community event or symposium, volunteering at an assisted care facility, or simply joining an organization outside of their traditional scope are all ways of learning more. Diversity is about understanding other perspectives, and most importantly, acknowledging them.

Community Engagement

Community Engagement can incorporate ideals from all of these extracurricular areas, and place them into an accessible format for engagement. For example, a student may volunteer at a health provider like La Clinica, and then network with someone at the Maslow Project in Medford, OR. Through their exposure, they learn about the plights befalling youth in the region, and decide to create an educational program to support the health needs of these individuals. They decide to work jointly with Maslow and La Clinica to create a program for under-resourced adolescents in the Rogue Valley focused on self-care, nutrition, and resources. Community engagement is a great way for students to learn more about themselves, and people who may eventually come to them for personal care.

Medical Experience

Medical Experience should never be discounted as important. Of course, students can choose to do a vocational training program like a CNA, MA, EMT, Optician Training or other to gain skilled-experience. However, they can also do so through volunteering, shadowing, and observation. At SOU, students who excel academically can request a chance to have an informational interview, shadowing, and extended observational experience with an optometrist in the region to learn more about what an OD does. Students are encouraged to at least volunteer in local practices around the region. Students who complete human anatomy and physiology can request the ability to help prepare the human cadavers for student learning in the Biology department.

Research

Research is a key way to demonstrate academic skills in a practical setting. Students can begin their path to research by excelling in their foundational coursework, demonstrating to their faculty that they have the skill set and motivation to go beyond the scope of the courses they take. They may find research opportunities with faculty at SOU in the Biology and Chemistry departments, the SOURC staff (social science research), or at another institution or organization through summer programs and extended internships... possibly both!

Applying to OD Programs

When students are ready, they should begin familiarizing themselves with the OptomCAS, which is the centralized application service for OD programs in the US. Keep in mind, there are only about 24 ACOE-accredited programs in the US and Canada. Students should select at least 3 schools to apply to.

Each graduate program may have unique requirements in addition to the "general" Pre-Optometry coursework, so make sure to visit their admissions' pages to find out more.