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Pre-Optometry
OD • Prepare for optometry school. The University of the Incarnate Word and UHCO are major Texas programs.
~3.57 avg
ASCO 2025
Avg Applicant GPA
100+ optometry obs hrs
Typical Experience
16 courses
Required Courses
5 areas
Key Experiences
Required Courses
Click any course to see who teaches itThese courses are required by most OD programs.
BIO 311CBIO 311DBIO 325BIO 206LMBS 326RCH 301CH 302CH 320MCH 320NCH 220CBCH 369PHY 302KPHY 302LM 408CSDS 320EPSY 301
View all Pre-Optometry classes →Recommended Courses
Not required but strengthen your application significantly.
Key Experiences Needed
- →Optometry office observation (100–200+ hrs across multiple settings)
- →OAT prep
- →Community service
- →Patient interaction in clinical settings
- →Research (valued at competitive programs)
💡 UT Austin Advantage
Texas has two strong in-state OD programs (UIW and UH). UT Austin graduates are competitive applicants — the science prerequisites here fully satisfy both programs admission requirements.
📍 Austin Resources
- • Austin optometry offices (cold-call for shadowing)
- • Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-health honor society
- • UT Health Austin