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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.
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.
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
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.
Eligibility
To be considered for Dual Admission and fill your reserved seat in graduate or professional
school, there are some requirements you must meet.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements are for first-time in college 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.
For students eligible for the 3+ accelerated track, it is required that you enter
with college-level science credits, specifically in chemistry, before you enter the
program. Students without transferable chemistry credits will be placed in the traditional
4+ track. Students will be placed into the appropriate track based on their academic
profile, and will be verified of their track by the accepted transfer credits to NSU
and confirmed in their advising session.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
in High School
*Anatomy and Physiology, and Living Environment may be substituted for Biology
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.
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.
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.
After you’ve decided which Premier Programs interest you, applying is as easy as 1-2-3.
You can apply for just about any combination of the following Premier Programs:
• Dual Admission
• Huizenga Business Innovation Academy
• Hochberg-Miniaci Razor’s Edge Scholars
You may apply to two Hochberg-Miniaci Razor’s Edge Scholars Programs. Options include
Leadership and Research. You will be guaranteed an interview for your first choice
Razor's Edge Scholars program and given your second choice interview based on availability.
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 NSU Application to apply to Nova Southeastern University.
Submit a Supplemental Application
Once admitted, complete the supplemental Premier Programs application for fall entry and submit your Shark Preview preference date.
Attend Shark Preview
Once your preferred Shark Preview date has been confirmed by the Shark Preview team,
you will receive a confirmation email. Please do not book any travel arrangements
until you receive your official Shark Preview confirmation email.
For students interviewing for select programs during Shark Preview, explore interview tips and recommendations to help you make a lasting impact. See you at Shark Preview!
