Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) Degree

The courses required for this degree are listed in the section of this bulletin entitled “Optometry Curriculum.” All of the courses except those identified as electives must be completed. A baccalaureate degree is required prior to receiving the O.D. degree. The curricular requirements for preoptometry are described in the section of this bulletin entitled “Preoptometry Requirements.”

Students are responsible for understanding all requirements for graduation and for completing them by the time they expect to graduate.

Optometry Curriculum

The curriculum includes instruction in all of the clinical and practical phases of optometry as well as in the theoretical and fundamental aspects of vision science. It requires four years of professional degree courses, including at least a three-week summer assignment before the third year.¹ The university schedules two regular academic semesters and two summer sessions. The regular fall semester includes 14 weeks and two days of instruction plus one week for final examinations; the spring semester includes 15 weeks of instruction plus one week for final examinations. Most optometry courses are scheduled for a full academic semester. Some, however, are scheduled for three, six, or eight weeks, and will be scheduled back-to-back with other courses that will be taken in the remaining weeks of the semester.

First Year

First Semester

Second Semester

Second Year

First Semester

Second Semester

Summer

Third Year

First Semester

Second Semester

Fourth Year ²

Note: Subject to change.

1. Elementary school vision-screening program assignments will be arranged.
2. Students in the final year of the program will spend 12 weeks at each of their four clinic assignments (V 885, V 887, V 888, and the Fourth Clinical Assignment). Three of these four assignments are at various external locations.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Optometry Degree

Students who enter the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) program without an undergraduate degree will receive the B.S. in Optometry upon successful completion of the first two years of the four-year professional degree program. The following requirements, in addition to the preoptometry requirements and the courses in the first two years of the professional degree program, must be satisfied by the student seeking this degree:

• A minimum of 122 credit hours in courses that may be counted toward the B.A., B.S., or higher degree of one or more degree-granting divisions of the university.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
• A minimum of 30 credit hours in courses at the 300 level or above.
• At least 30 credit hours of V-lettered courses, which are regularly offered by the School of Optometry and/or the Vision Science Graduate Program.
• A minimum of 60 credit hours at Indiana University, of which at least 26 credit hours, including not fewer than 10 credits in the V-lettered courses, must be completed in residence on the Bloomington campus.
• Courses taken on a Pass/Fail basis can be applied only as electives in meeting the degree requirements. The limit is a total of eight courses with two courses allowed per year.
• Not more than 60 credit hours earned in accredited junior colleges may be applied toward the degree.
• Not more than 10 credit hours earned through online study and/or special credit examination may be applied toward the degree, except by special permission of the dean.
• Work for a degree must be completed within six years from the time the student first registers in the university, except by special permission of the dean.