A PROGRAM FOR FUTURE OPTOMETRISTS
From regular eye checkups to prescribing the glasses and contacts so many people use, optometrists provide in-demand services. As people live longer and become more likely to need advanced eye care, demand for skilled optometrists continues to grow.
With Nova Southeastern University’s Dual Admission Optometry program, you can streamline your path to a career as a compassionate, competent optometrist. You may choose an accelerated seven-year path or an eight-year path to begin your doctoral studies after completing your bachelor’s degree.
Optometry students at NSU not only take pride in their education but also being involved in their community. We have the privilege to impact locally and internationally with our mission trips.
NATHALIE A. | OPTOMETRY
As an undergraduate student, you’ll get the experience needed take on the rigorous coursework and hands-on experiences required to earn your Doctor of Optometry. You’ll benefit from advanced patient simulation technology and plenty of clinical experiences to turn theory into practice. You’ll also have opportunities to aid urban and rural underserved populations, so you can begin your career ready to serve a range of communities.
Program Overview
The Dual Admission Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) program takes seven or eight years to complete.
The seven-year program (3+4) is a combined program; students will follow a three-year prescribed course of study in the undergraduate major. A bachelor's degree will be awarded to the student after successful completion of the first year of professional education at the College of Optometry.
In the eight-year program (4+4), students complete the four-year undergraduate major and are awarded a bachelor's degree before starting the optometry program. Students in both programs will receive the O.D. degree after four years of training at the College of Optometry.
Degrees Earned
You can earn any bachelor’s degree and your Doctor of Optometry (O.D.).
Program Length
Earn both your bachelor’s and your doctorate in seven years (3+4) or eight years (4+4).
Interview Required
Dual Admission applicants must interview during Shark Preview Weekend, an exclusive admitted student event.
Deadline to Apply
Fall Admission: February 1
Eligibility
To be considered for this Dual Admission program, there are some requirements you must meet. Undergraduate Admission Requirements are for first-time freshmen students applying to earn a bachelor’s degree. This Dual Admission program is ONLY for first-time in college students, although college credits earned through advanced high school program may apply ( see “transfer credits through high school section below”).
Graduate Admission Requirements are the standards students need to maintain while earning their undergraduate degree to remain eligible for the graduate or professional program.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Graduate Admission Requirements
Keep your dual admission status while you earn your bachelor’s.
Dual Admission reserves your seat in NSU’s Doctor of Optometry program, but you must still complete a graduate application once you finish your bachelor’s degree.
Keep in mind that these are the basic requirements, and final determination of admission into the professional program is at the discretion of the College of Optometry.
Degree Required
For the 3+4 program, a degree is not required prior to transitioning to the graduate program. For the 4+4 program, you must complete a bachelor's degree, including some science courses. Additional prerequisites may be communicated upon admission.
Required Test Scores
OAT: You must have at least a 310 total science and academic average. All minimum test scores must be achieved on the same test attempt.
Undergraduate GPA
You must maintain a 3.2 cumulative and science GPA. You must also earn at least a C in each prerequisite course. Calculation of cumulative and science GPA for the purpose of program eligibility for dual admission will not reflect the "grade forgiveness/repeated courses" policy; all grades for retaken courses will be included. The science GPA for dual admission purposes is composed of only those courses with BIOL, CHEM and PHYS prefixes.
Credits Required
For the seven-year track, 90 major and general education credits must be competed. For the eight-year track, it’s 120 credits.
Additional Requirements
Transfer students are not eligible to apply to this Health and Medical Professions Dual Admission program. Only students coming to NSU in the fall semester as first-time college freshman applicants are eligible to apply.
College credits that were earned through advanced high school programs such as AP, IB or college academy—or in summer coursework following high school graduation, prior to attending NSU—may transfer to NSU. However, we strongly encourage students to take a majority of their specific science program pre-requisites at NSU to highlight their competency in these critical domains and maximize their long-term profile for future graduate/professional school candidacy.
Students who enter NSU with earned college credits through advanced high school programs may be able to complete their degree and program requirements earlier than scheduled and request to enter their graduate professional programs earlier as well.
Please contact your admissions representative for more details regarding high school transfer credits.
Please be advised that a student's initial course placement in mathematics, science or composition may impact the timing of the completion of all dual admission prerequisites and major courses, and could result in the need to take summer courses.
Ready for the Next Step?
Here's how to apply.
Dual Admission is just one of NSU’s distinctive Premier Programs. These programs are designed to help highly motivated students accelerate their success.
You can apply for just about any combination of the following Premier Programs:
• Dual Admission
• The Fischler Academy of Education
• Huizenga Business Innovation Academy
• Razor’s Edge Scholars
You may apply for and be admitted into only one Dual Admission program for your first semester. Each program is unique and has its own eligibility requirements.
Apply for Undergraduate Admission
You can use the Shark Select Application or the Common App to apply to Nova Southeastern University.
Submit a Supplemental Application
Complete the supplemental Premier Programs application for fall entry.
Interview During Shark Preview
If you’re admitted to NSU and submit the supplemental application, you will be invited via email to choose which Shark Preview Weekend works for your schedule.