Doctor of Optometry Program Academic Partnerships

Affiliate Undergraduate Doctor of Optometry Program

ASSURED ADMISSION PROGRAMS

Direct entry and a fast track to the optometry profession is available to students through an articulation agreement between the following institutions and Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO):

Chestnut Hill College
Each year, three (3) eligible CHC students are selected for guaranteed seats for the Doctor of Optometry Traditional degree program. Program options include a 3+4 BS/OD degree track or a 4+4 BS/OD degree track (3 seats are reserved for each degree track).

Hampton University
Each year, ten (10) eligible Hampton students are selected for guaranteed seats for the Doctor of Optometry Traditional degree program. This Program includes a 4+4 BS/OD degree track. Students enrolled in the program will receive both financial and academic assistance from the National Optometric Association (NOA), advisement from the Pre-Health program at Hampton as well as from the Office of Admissions, and mentorship from a PCO faculty advisor.

Misericordia University
Each year, three (3) eligible Misericordia students are selected for guaranteed seats for the Doctor of Optometry Traditional degree program. Program options include a 4+4 BS/OD degree track.

Rosemont College
Each year, six (6) eligible Rosemont students are selected for guaranteed seats for the Doctor of Optometry Traditional degree program. Program options include a 3+4 BS/OD degree track or a 4+4 BS/OD degree track (3 seats are reserved for each degree track).

As a student in either track, you’ll complete either three or four years at the above institutions before matriculating to PCO, earning both your bachelor of science (BS) and doctor of optometry (OD) degrees.

Saint Joseph's University
Each year, twenty-five (25) eligible Saint Joseph's University students are selected for guaranteed seats for the Doctor of Optometry Traditional degree program. Program options include a 3+4 BS/OD degree track or a 4+4 BS/OD degree track.

Drexel University BS/OD EARLY ASSURANCE PROGRAM

The BS in Biological Sciences/Doctor of Optometry (OD) Early Assurance program is available exclusively to incoming first-year applicants to Drexel University. The program offers qualified students an early assurance pathway to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) while they complete their undergraduate degree at Drexel.

Admission Requirements

Common application or Coalition application with Scoir, including required essay
Application fee or application fee waiver
Official high school transcripts
One letter of recommendation
Pennsylvania College of Optometry additional essay
Official SAT or ACT score report (scores are super scored; allow at least two weeks for receipt)
5 GPA on a 4.0 scale; 1300 SAT; 28 ACT

Application Deadlines

Early Decision
Applicants must submit and complete the Drexel application (including submitting all required materials) by November 15. The supplemental BS/OD essay must be submitted by November 18.

Early Action
Applicants must submit and complete the Drexel application (including submitting all required materials) by November 15. Supplemental BS/OD essay must be submitted by February 1.

Regular Decision
Applicants must submit and complete the Drexel application (including submitting all required materials) by January 15. Supplemental BS/OD essay must be submitted by February 1.

PENN STATE EARLY ASSURANCE ADMISSION PROGRAM

Established in 2017, this is a memorandum of understanding between the Eberly College of Science (ECoS) and Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO).

University Park students can apply to PCO via the ECoS Director of Premedicine and Science majors after their second year. Because there is some flexibility in prerequisite course selections, interested students are encouraged to discuss their intentions as early as possible with the Director to optimize course selection plans that will fit with the student’s intended academic major.

More information

3+4 OR 4+4 DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY PROGRAMS

Under a 3+4 Articulation Agreement, the program permits the qualified student to earn the Doctor of Optometry degree in seven years instead of the usual eight. The first three years are spent at a participating undergraduate institution, the next four at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. The student is awarded a Bachelor's degree by the undergraduate institution upon the successful completion of the first professional year and a Doctor of Optometry degree by the University at the conclusion of the professional degree program.

Under a 4+4 Articulation Agreement, students who successfully complete the 120 semester credit Pre-Optometry curriculum at a participating undergraduate institution and meet all admissions requirements may apply for admission to the Doctor of Optometry Program.

The institutions listed below are 3+4 programs, unless otherwise noted.

Participating Universities/Colleges

New Jersey

New York

Le Moyne College
Siena College

Virginia

Hampton University

DREXEL UNIVERSITY POST-BACCALAUREATE ADMISSION PROGRAM

Under this Articulation Agreement, students who successfully complete the Post-baccalaureate Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Program (IHSP) at Drexel University with a 3.0 GPA or above may apply for admission to the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree program.

This educational pathway is referred to as the Post-baccalaureate + Doctor of Optometry Degree Program and is comprised of two phases, Phase I and Phase II:

Phase I is comprised of the student earning a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences degree at Drexel, in addition to satisfying the undergraduate prerequisite coursework required for the Doctor of Optometry Program at PCO, and
Phase II is comprised of the Doctor of Optometry Degree Program at PCO.