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We're excited that you are considering joining our program. Here, you'll find comprehensive information about admission requirements, the application process, and the Optometry Admission Test (OAT).
Admission Requirements
The College of Optometry considers applicants based on the following criteria:
- A minimum of 90 semester hours (30 of which must be taken at a four-year institution) of specified coursework at a regionally accredited college or university.
- At least a 2.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- OAT scores of at least 300 (AA) and 290 (TS).
- Two recommendation evaluations submitted through OPTOMCAS: one from a science instructor and one from an optometrist (O.D.).
In addition to meeting the above criteria, students must earn a grade of 2.0 or better
in the following specified coursework:
Prerequisite Coursework
- Calculus (3 credit hrs)
- Statistics (3 credit hrs)
- Psychology (3 credit hrs)
- English (6 credit hrs)
- Physics/w Labs (8 credit hrs)
- Biology/w Labs (8 credit hrs)
- General Chemistry/w Labs (8 credit hrs)
- Organic Chemistry/w Lab (4 credit hrs)
- Microbiology (3 credit hrs)
- Biochemistry (3 credit hrs)
- Anatomy/Physiology (3 credit hrs)*
* If the combined course is not taken, separate courses in anatomy and physiology must be taken.
Upon individual record review, the Committee on Admissions may require additional coursework and testing as a condition of acceptance.
As part of our application process, we use the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS) to receive and process all applications. Please note that OptomCAS is not involved in selecting students. At the Office of Admissions, we work on a rolling admissions basis and accept applications from July 1 to April 1 through the OptomCAS centralized application service. Entering students are admitted to the program for the fall term only.
To apply for NSU's Doctor of Optometry program, all applicants must take the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), which evaluates their knowledge of various subjects, including biology, general and organic chemistry, reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, and physics. The exam can be taken online at any time by scheduling an appointment with a Prometric Testing Center.
For more information on the test, please visit the Optometry Admissions Test website. You can also contact them directly at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 or by phone at 800-232-2678.
In addition to the OAT, the application process includes a personal interview. While being interviewed is not a guarantee of admission, it is a crucial part of the process. The Office of Admissions will notify selected candidates of the date and time of the interview, and each candidate will have the option to choose between an in-person or virtual interview.
Notice of acceptance will be on a rolling or periodic schedule. Early completion of the application process is recommended for the best chance of acceptance.
For inquiries, please contact:
Nova Southeastern University
Attention: Optometry Admissions
3300 South University Drive
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328
Phone : (954) 262-1651 or 800-356-0026, ext. 21651