Pre-Professional
Programs

Pre-Optometry

Vision care needs are increasing as our population ages. Optometrists are the main providers of vision care. They examine people's eyes to diagnose and correct vision problems, and are the first line of diagnosis and prevention of more serious eye diseases and abnormalities. ESU's Pre-Optometry program is designed to give you the education you need to be admitted to a professional school. According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about one in three applicants to an optometry school were admitted in 2007. Employment is expected to grow much faster than the average in response to the vision care needs of a growing and aging population.


Salaries

  • Starting Median Salary: Approx. $81,000*
  • After 5 Years Experience: Approx. $91,000

Department Homepage

Quick Facts

  • This degree is offered as a 4-year pre-professional degree through the Biological Sciences department, although outstanding students may be accepted to optometry school after 3 years.
  • At the Kansas Academy of Science 2008 Annual Meeting, over half of the student awards were won by ESU students!
  • Experienced and caring faculty will assist students in admission to and preparation for the optometry school of their choice.

Career Opportunities

  • Physician Offices
  • Health and Personal Care Stores
  • Hospitals
  • Outpatient Care Centers

Major Requirements

  • 45 hours of courses with 300+ course numbers
  • Minimum of 2.2 GPA for biology courses
  • 45 required hours of biology courses
  • 34 required hours of physical science and math courses
  • 6 required hours of psychology courses
  • Must take Optometry Admissions Test to further education.
  • 34 required hours of physical science and math courses

Clubs

  • Biology Club
  • Beta Beta Beta
  • Caduceus Society

August 2008: www.payscale.com