Pre-Optometry Program
Contact:
Admissions information 713-525-3500 or admissions@stthom.edu
Financial Aid information 713-525-2170 or finaid@stthom.edu
Dr. E. Larry Nordyke 713-525-3169 or nordyke@stthom.edu
Dr. John Palasota 713-525-6918 or japalaso@stthom.edu
Dr. Bill Tinnerman 713-525-2135 or tinerman@stthom.edu
The Pre-Optometry Program is designed to prepare students for entry into optometry school, and students enjoy outstanding optometry school acceptance. Undergraduate preparation for the study of optometry requires a strong foundation in science and mathematics and a background in the humanities and social sciences.
The program is a rigorous science and math-based program that can be combined with any major. It is important to note that the Pre-Optometry Program is not a major but rather a program consisting of 49 credit hours (10 classes and 7 labs) of science and math courses and 6 credit hours of Psychology. These courses serve as the prerequisites for application to the University of Houston College of Optometry.
The pre-health professions advisers in the program advise students in tandem with their major adviser, inform them of prerequisite courses, admissions test dates, and application deadlines, and present appropriate workshops, as well as providing letters of evaluation for application to optometry school.
Acceptance Rates
Optometry school admission data for the last seven academic years (Table I) shows that 83 percent of St. Thomas applicants were accepted to optometry school. In our opinion, the acceptance statistic is indicative not only of the success of the Pre-Optometry Program but also the high quality of teaching and the high quality of the students at the University.
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Table I. Optometry School Applicants Fall 2001 – Spring 2008
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Applicants
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Accepted
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% Applicants Accepted
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12
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10
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83
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Alumni
For the 2008-09 academic year, there are 8 St. Thomas alumni matriculating at The University of Houston College of Optometry. During the 7 years covered by Table I, 6 St. Thomas alumnae graduated from UHCO and are practicing optometrists.
Doctors of Optometry must successfully complete a four-year accredited degree program at one of the 17 colleges of optometry in the United States. The University of Houston College of Optometry (Table II lists the prerequisites for UHCO) is the only optometry school in the State of Texas and most of our pre-optometry students apply there.
Course Requirements
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Table II: Pre-professional Course Requirements for UHCO
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Prerequisite Courses
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Sem. Hrs.
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Biological Sciences with Laboratory
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8
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Advanced Physiology with Laboratory
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4
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Human Anatomy with Laboratory
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4-8
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Microbiology with Laboratory
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4
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General Chemistry with Laboratory
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8
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Organic Chemistry with Laboratory
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4
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Biochemistry
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3
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Elementary Functions
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3
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Calculus I
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3-4
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General Physics with Laboratory
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8
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Introduction to Psychology
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3
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Statistics with Application in biological & social sciences
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3
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