Southern College of Optometry

Admission Requirements

Southern College of Optometry (SCO) is a nationally recognized leader in optometric education. Founded in 1932, SCO is committed to preparing highly competent, ethical optometrists who are dedicated to excellence in patient care and who contribute to the profession and society. SCO offers a four-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE). The curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide comprehensive primary eye care. In addition to didactic coursework, students participate in laboratory, clinical, and externship experiences.

To be eligible for admission to SCO, applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and have taken the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required for admission, although a higher GPA may be necessary for competitive applicants. Applicants are also required to submit official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a personal essay.

Once admitted, students must complete a series of prerequisite courses prior to beginning the professional OD program. These courses include English, mathematics, general and organic chemistry, physics, and statistics. Students must also complete an Introductory Optometry course prior to beginning the professional OD program.

The professional OD program at SCO consists of four years of study. The first two years are primarily devoted to didactic coursework, while the last two years focus primarily on clinical experiences. Students must complete a minimum of 64 semester hours of didactic coursework and a minimum of 1,280 hours of clinical experience prior to graduation.