Optometrists are the primary providers of vision care. They are concerned with eye health; general health problems that affect the eyes; how well a person sees; and how the eyes work together: color vision, depth perception, and visual performance. Optometrists are primary health professionals. Optometry programs require that applicants complete a specific set of prerequisite courses prior to enrollment.
Portland State offers a strong pre-optometry program that enables students to complete their prerequisite coursework, earn a baccalaureate degree, and obtain assistance with the optometry school preparation and application process.
Pre-Optometry is a professional track (not a major), but common majors for pre-optometry students include Science, Health Studies: Health Science, Biology, & Chemistry.
Prospective students to PSU can meet with a pre-optometry advisor to learn about PSU’s pre-optometry program. Admission into optometry programs is limited and competitive. Pre-optometry students would apply to optometry programs after completing coursework and experiences to help them prepare for the program. In recent years, Pacific University’s average cumulative GPA for students admitted students to the Doctor of Optometry degree program has been 3.42.
Pre-Optometry is a pre-professional track, not a major. Students can select any major of their choice.
PSU has dedicated pre-health advisors to help students plan their coursework, support them in gaining relevant healthcare experience, and guide them through the optometry school application process. There are a very wide range of clinical and other volunteer opportunities available in the Portland area to help students better understand the role of optometrists and other healthcare providers, gain exposure to different clinical settings, and boost their application to optometry programs in the future.
Many of Portland State’s departments and schools offer student research opportunities, including Biology, Chemistry, and the School of Public Health.
Beyond the pre-requisite courses needed to prepare to apply to optometry school, PSU offers many additional courses of interest to pre-optometry students, including Communicable and Chronic Disease (PHE 363), Physics in Biomedicine (PHY 337), Gender, Race, Class, & Health (PHE 452), Biomedical Ethics (PHL 446), Sociology for the Health Sciences (SOC 250), and many others.
PSU has the Ignite Scholarship program, developed in collaboration with Kaiser Permanente and Portland Leadership Foundation, which emphasizes a culture of support and community for students in healthcare career pathways that can sometimes be complex and overwhelming. Students who receive the Ignite scholarship will be part of a program emphasizing leadership and mentorship (supported by a $5,000 scholarship), which includes serving as mentors for incoming pre-health students.
Incoming pre-health students seeking mentorship can apply to be matched with PSU's Ignite mentors. This is a one-year commitment (fall, winter, and spring terms) for mentors and mentees.
Student organizations on campus help students to connect with peers pursuing pre-health tracks or science fields, as well as many different multicultural, social, and community involvement focused groups. Examples of student groups include the Health Promotion Student Organization, Portland State Women in STEM, Science Outreach Society, Biology Investigation and Outreach, and the Neuroscience Club at PSU.
Students in the Pre-Optometry track at PSU go on to a Doctor of Optometry (OD) or go on to earn an MD or DO to become an ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist provides eye care services and performs medical and surgical eye procedures. Ophthalmologists must first earn an MD or DO and then complete a residency in ophthalmology. Pacific University offers a four-year Doctor of Optometry program preparing tomorrow's optometrists for licensure and practice.
Schools in which Portland State students and alumni were recently admitted include:
- Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University
- Illinois College of Optometry
- New England College of Optometry
- Pacific University
- Southern Calif. College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University
- University of California, Berkeley
- Western University of Health Sciences