Bachelor in Optometry - Pathway to O.D. (Dual Admission)
Nova Southeastern University Undergraduate Programs
Key Information
Campus location
Fort Lauderdale, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
7 - 8 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 33,510
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Scholarships
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Introduction
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 to 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.
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Admissions
Career Opportunities
What Can You Do with a Doctor of Optometry Degree?
NSU’s Doctor of Optometry (D.O.) program will prepare you to provide comprehensive eye care to your patients. You’ll learn to help people improve their quality of life by prescribing lenses that help them better perform everyday activities and treat various eye conditions such as glaucoma.
You can specialize your studies and focus your residency on things like ocular disease, pediatrics, and binocular vision, cornea and contact lenses, and geriatrics and low vision rehabilitation. If you want to make a difference in the everyday lives of people of all ages, pursuing a D.O. could be the right path for you.
Related Careers
- Optometrist
- Clinical researcher
- Professor
- Health care administrator
Competencies
- Examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system.
- Prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, low vision aids, vision therapy, and medications to treat eye diseases.
- Perform surgical procedures on the visual system.
Career Potential
- 10% Growth - job outlook 2018–2028
- $115,250 - median pay 2019
- 42,100 - number of jobs as of 2018
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics