Pre-Optometry Certificate
Prepare a competitive Optometry School application
The Pre-Optometry Certificate is designed to prepare any student in any discipline, either seeking or having completed a bachelor's degree, for competitively applying to optometry programs. This certificate requires significant preparation in the natural sciences and a strong GPA to complete. Students are required to seek out patient experiences to complete the certificate. The 300 hours (minimum) of required experience places students in a strong position to stand out among their peers.
Format
In-Person
Credit Hours
15 to 16 Credit Hours
*Depending on the student's course selections
Additional Requirements
Science GPA: 3.00
Courses: BIOL 362 x6
About the Program
The Pre-Optometry Certificate guides students toward meeting important academic and non-academic prerequisites for achieving acceptance into most optometry programs. The requirements are specifically selected because they are either required or suggested to obtain admission into these programs. Completion of the certificate requirements will increase the chances of students completing a competitive application.
The BIOL 362 requirement for Pre-Optometry Certificate is a unique aspect of the Pre-Health Certificate program at SXU. BIOL 362 requires students to obtain documented experience with patients (e.g., shadowing, scribing, assistant, etc.) for 50 hours per semester for a total of 300 experience hours over two years, which are necessary for a competitive application.
- Students will obtain knowledge in relevant disciplines necessary to perform well on the OAT and for consideration into optometry programs.
- Students will obtain knowledge and experiences for consideration into optometry programs.
- Students will have competitive GPAs for consideration into optometry programs.
The Pre-Optometry Certificate at Saint Xavier provides a unique opportunity for students to have a guided experience that ensures they submit competitive applications to their desired progams.
Saint Xavier University has small courses taught by accessible and knowledgeable faculty with experience with various health programs.
Saint Xavier University’s small class sizes provide personalized experiences and relationships with faculty, who can provide thoughtful and well-informed letters of recommendation to dental programs.
Students completing the Pre-Optometry Certificate should be well-positioned to complete or nearly complete a biology and/or chemistry minor if they are not already pursuing a biology or chemistry major. Students completing the Pre-Optometry Certificate would similarly have made significant progress toward a Biology major.
Required Courses:
PHYS 202: Physics II (4)
MATH 201: Calculus
Electives: (Choose 2)
Statistics: BIOL 303: Biostatistics (3) OR MATH 135 Introduction to Statistics (4)
BIOL 202: Human Anatomy (4)
BIOL 203: Human Physiology (4)
BIOL 306: General Microbiology (4)
Quick Links
Request Information
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Contact the Office of Admission
- 773-298-3050
- Toll Free: 844-GOTO-SXU (844-468-6798)
- Fax: 773-298-3076
- Email: admissionFREESXU
- M-F: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Other Pre-Health and Research Certificates
Earn a Certificate of Graduate Program Preparation
Meet the Faculty
Christopher Appelt
Associate Professor
Phone:
773-298-3521
Email: appelt@sxu.edu
Jason Crean
Adjunct Faculty
Phone:
Email: jcrean@sxu.edu
Randolph Krohmer
Adjunct Faculty
Phone:
773-298-3527
Email: krohmer@sxu.edu
Ricardo Monzon
Interim Divisional Director
Phone:
773-298-5241
Email: monzon@sxu.edu
Stacie Raymond
Associate Professor
Phone:
773-298-3520
Email: raymond@sxu.edu
Tatiana Tatum
Professor
Phone:
773-298-3408
Email: tatum@sxu.edu