Back to Nova Southeastern University
- Holistic Health Focus: Gain insights into overall health, positioning yourself as a vital healthcare professional.
- Comprehensive Skills: Learn to examine, diagnose, treat, and manage visual system diseases with a focus
on using glasses, contact lenses, and visual rehabilitation.
- Flexible Paths: Choose from a traditional four-year path or opt for a more comprehensive experience with the extended program.
We consider candidates competitive if they score 320 or higher on the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) and maintain a GPA of 3.4 or above. To learn more about our admissions process, we recommend scheduling a 15-minute telephone information session with our Admissions Counselor. During this session, you'll gain an understanding of our admission requirements and procedures.
Curriculum Overview
Our curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive and tailored exploration of vital optometric disciplines. We combine theoretical foundations with practical application to ensure that our students gain specialized knowledge and hands-on experiences that will help them excel in the dynamic field of optometry.
During the first year of optometry school, students concentrate on the basic biological sciences including; anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and neuroanatomy. In addition, they engage in lectures, labs, and clinical instruction to grasp theoretical optics and the art of conducting optometric examinations.
| Course # | Course Name | Term |
|---|---|---|
| OPT 1134 | Gross Anatomy/Head and Neck | Fall |
| OPT 2144 | General Physiology | Fall |
| OPT xxxx | Integrated Optics I | Fall |
| OPTL xxxx | Integrated Optics I Lab | Fall |
| OPT 1724 | Optometric Theory & Methods 1 | Fall |
| OPTL 1724 | Optometric Theory & Methods 1 Lab | Fall |
| OPT 1831 | Cont. Issues in Optometry | Fall |
| OPT 2422 | Ocular Anatomy and Physiology | Fall |
| OPTC 2023 | Neuroanatomy | Winter |
| OPT 1323 | Microbiology | Winter |
| OPT xxxx | Integrated Optics 2 | Winter |
| OPTL xxxx | Integrated Optics 2 Lab | Winter |
| OPT 2522 | Visual Neurophysiology | Winter |
| OPT 2724 | Optometric Theory & Methods 2 | Winter |
| OPTL 2724 | Optometric Theory & Methods 2 Lab | Winter |
| OPT xxxx | Vision Science I | Winter |
| OPT 4811 | Epidemiology | Winter |
| OPT xxxx | Integrative Course Seminar I | Winter |
| OPT 3624 | Optometric Theory & Methods 3 | Summer |
| OPTL 3624 | Optometric Theory & Methods 3 Lab | Summer |
| OPT 3021 | Optometric Sim. Lab | Summer |
| OPT 3243 | Principles of General Pharmacology | Summer |
| OPT 3344A&B | Psychophysics/Monocular Sensory Processes I & II | Summer |
| OPT 3434 | Ophthalmic Optics I | Summer |
| OPTL 3434 | Ophthalmic Optics I Lab | Summer |
| OPT 4811 | Epidemiology | Summer |
Explore ocular physiology, and psychophysics, and delve into the intricacies of ocular disease and binocular vision anomalies. Gain hands-on experience at NSU Health Eye Care during the summer between the second and third years, providing primary eye care to a diverse patient population.
| Course # | Course Name | Term |
|---|---|---|
| OPT 3033 | General Pathology | Fall |
| OPT 3244 | Systemic Pharmacology | Fall |
| OPT 4524 | Optometric Theory & Methods 4 | Fall |
| OPTL 4524 | Optometric Theory & Methods 4 Lab | Fall |
| OPT 4234 | Ophthalmic Optics II | Fall |
| OPTL 4234 | Ophthalmic Optics II Lab | Fall |
| OPT 4122 | Ocular Pharmacology | Fall |
| OPT 2622 | Ocular Disease of the Anterior Segment | Fall |
| OPT xxxx | Clinical Reasoning & Case Analysis I | Fall |
| OPT 3624 | Low Vision | Winter |
| OPTL 3624 | Low Vision Lab | Winter |
| OPT 4433 | Anomalies of Binocular Vision 1 | Winter |
| OPTL 4433 | Anomalies of Binocular Vision 1 Lab | Winter |
| OPT 4636 | Glaucoma | Winter |
| OPT 4634 | Retina | Winter |
| OPT 4635 | Seminars in Posterior Segment Disease | Winter |
| OPT 71xx | Introduction to Primary Care Clinic | Winter |
| OPTL xxxx | Clinical Reasoning & Case Analysis II | Winter |
| OPT 5411 | Clinical Gerontology | Summer |
| OPT 5322 | Clinical Medicine and Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Disease 1 | Summer |
| OPT 5412 | Physical Diagnosis Lab | Summer |
| OPT 5122 | Contact Lens 1 | Summer |
| OPT 5122L | Contact Lens 1 Lab | Summer |
| OPT xxxx | Anomalies of Binocular Vision 1.5 | Summer |
| OPT 1612 | Health Systems | Summer |
| OPT 7161 | Optical Services Rotation Clinic 1 | Summer |
| OPT 7111 | Primary Care Clinic 1 | Summer |
| Specialty Service Rotations | Summer |
In addition to seeing patients, third-year students continue to study ocular disease, contact lenses, and clinical medicine. A two-semester practice management course begins in the third year with an introduction to basic business and management concepts.
| Course # | Course Name | Term |
|---|---|---|
| OPT 5022 | Anomalies of Binocular Vision II | Fall |
| OPTL 5022 | Anomalies of Binocular Vision II Lab | Fall |
| OPT xxxx | Pediatric Optometry | Fall |
| OPT 6332 | Clinical Medicine and Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Disease II | Fall |
| OPT 6233 | Neuro-Eye Disease | Fall |
| OPT 4721* | Nutrition in Eye Care | Fall |
| OPT 7122 | Optical Services Rotation Clinic 2 | Fall |
| OPT 7161 | Primary Care Clinic 2 | Fall |
| Specialty Service Rotations | Fall | |
| OPT xxxx | Clinical Reasoning & Case Analysis | Fall |
| OPT 6122 | Contact Lens 2 | Winter |
| OPT 6122L | Contact Lens 2 Lab | Winter |
| OPT 6633 | Pediatric Optometry | Winter |
| OPTL 6633 | Pediatric Optometry Lab | Winter |
| OPT 7182 | Ophthalmic Lasers, Injections, and Surgical Procedures | Winter |
| OPT *** | NBEO Prep | Winter |
| OPT 4951 | Community Outreach | Winter |
| OPT 6512 | Practice Management 1 | Winter |
| OPT 7161 | Optical Services Rotation Clinic 3 | Winter |
| OPT 7122 | Primary Care Clinic 3 | Winter |
| Specialty Service Rotations | Winter | |
| OPT xxxx | Clinical Reasoning & Case Analysis | Winter |
During the fourth year, students receive extensive training in; secondary-tertiary eye care, specialized optometric care, and continued clinical education. Training emphasizes practical experience through externships, specialty clinical rotations, and clinical practice. A fourth-year practice management course presents business decisions and concepts that will be necessary for success in practice.
| Course # | Course Name |
|---|---|
| OPT 6524 | Practice Management II |
| OPT 7146 | Primary Care Clinical Internship |
| OPT 7214 | Cornea & CL Clinical Internship |
| OPT 7224 | Peds & BV Clinical Internship |
| OPT 7308 | Med Surg Clinical Externship |
| OPT 7408 | Clinical Elective Externship |
*Beginning May 2022
Request Information
Call (954) 262-1101, or
800-541-6682, ext. 21101
Apply to the Doctor of Optometry Program
Apply to the Master of Science Program
A Tradition of Excellence and Success
NSU's College of Optometry boasts high graduation rates, top board exam scores, and clinical proficiency. Over 25% of our graduates secure residency positions nationwide and are highly sought after by O.D.s, M.D.s, and corporations.
Celebrating Diversity at NSU College of Optometry
Beyond the Sunshine State, we have students from over 35 U.S. states, creating a dynamic blend of perspectives and experiences that enrich the learning environment.
Extended Program
Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry offers a distinctive educational path through our Extended Program. This unique curriculum allows individuals to attain a Doctor of Optometry degree over an extended five-year period, offering flexibility to accommodate various life circumstances.
Who is the program designed for?
The Extended Program is ideal for individuals looking to return to school after a
break, those transitioning from other professional fields, or those with family or
other obligations that require a lighter course load. It is worth noting that the
program is not intended for students with weaker academic credentials. Instead, it
often attracts high-achieving individuals who are juggling additional responsibilities.
How does the program differ from the traditional four-year program?
The extended program allows students to complete the first two years of the traditional
four-year program over three years, while the third and fourth years remain the same
for both programs. Upon completion of the extended program, individuals receive the
same Doctor of Optometry degree as those who complete the traditional four-year program,
and they are held to the same high standards of excellence for graduation.
Is the application process the same for the extended program?
Yes, the same application process used for the traditional four-year program is also used for the extended program. Applicants who want to apply for the Extended Program must submit a brief statement with their secondary application describing why they feel the Extended Program is appropriate for them. It's important to note that enrollment for the extended program is limited, and requesting admission to the Extended Program does not guarantee acceptance into this program nor does it lower the admissions standards.
Student Success
Explore the outcomes of our graduates through National Board Results, delve into the diverse statistics of our entering classes, and track our impressive Retention and Graduation Rates. This section provides a comprehensive overview of the high-quality education and supportive community you can expect at NSU College of Optometry.
| NBEO Part I Applied Basic Science |
|||
| Academic Year (9/1-8/31) | # of first-time takers, program | first time taker pass rate, program | first time taker pass rate, all exam takers |
| 2023-2024 | 94 | 65.90% | 65.80% |
| 2022-2023 | 99 | 50.50% | 65.80% |
| 2021-2022 | 103 | 59.20% | 63.70% |
| NBEO Part II Patient Assessment and Management | |||
| Academic Year (9/1-8/31) | # of first-time takers, program | first time taker pass rate, program | first time taker pass rate, all exam takers |
| 2023-2024 | 103 | 73.80% | 84.30% |
| 2022-2023 | 103 | 80.60% | 82.90% |
| 2021-2022 | 100 | 84.00% | 84.70% |
| NBEO Part III Clinical Skills Examination | |||
| Academic Year (7/1-6/30) | # of first-time takers, program | first time taker pass rate, program | first time taker pass rate, all exam takers |
| 2023-2024 | 103 | 80.60% | 81.70% |
| 2022-2023 | 103 | 74.80% | 74.40% |
| 2021-2022 | 102 | 79.40% | 79.70% |
NSU Entering Class Student Profile (ASCO's Entering Class Profiles)
|
|
CUMULATIVE GPA |
SCIENCE GPA |
OAT AA/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3.34 | 3.24 | 322.31/320.44 |
| 2015 | 3.40 | 3.30 | 323.62/322.98 |
| 2016 | 3.42 | 3.30 | 328.83/328.72 |
| 2017 | 3.37 | 3.22 | 323.44/321.04 |
| 2018 | 3.47 | 3.33 | 318.31/313.82 |
| 2019 | 3.43 | 3.30 | 322.87/319.57 |
| 2020 | 3.48 | 3.36 | 322.76/318.97 |
| 2021 | 3.36 | 3.21 | 323.23/320.52 |
| 2022 | 3.51 | 3.42 | 328.80/325.42 |
| 2023 | 3.52 | 3.41 | 322.02/313.57 |
| Traditional Optometry Program - 4 Years | |||||||
| Year Matriculated |
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | ||||
| # | % of matriculants | # | % of matriculants | # | % of matriculants | ||
| Graduated in 4 years | 96 | 91.40% | 95 | 90.50% | 98 | 90.70% | |
| Graduated in 5 years or less | 100 | 95.20% | 98 | 93.30% | 102 | 94.40% | |
| Graduated at any time | 100 | 95.20% | 98 | 93.30% | TBD | TBD | |
| Still enrolled or on leave of absence | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Completed curricular requirements met, but not graduation requirements | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Attrition for academic reasons | 5 | 4.70% | 5 | 4.70% | 4 | 3.70% | |
| Attrition for other reasons | 0 | 0.00% | 2 | 1.90% | 2 | 1.90% | |
| Extended Optometry Program - 5 Years | |||||||
| Year Matriculated |
2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||||
| # | % of matriculants | # | % of matriculants | # | % of matriculants | ||
| Graduated in 5 years | 4 | 66.70% | 3 | 50% | 2 | 66.70% | |
| Graduated in 6 years or less | 5 | 83.30% | 3 | 50% | 3 | 100% | |
| Graduated at any time | 5 | 83.30% | 3 | 50% | 3 | 100% | |
| Still enrolled or on leave of absence | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Completed curricular requirements met, but not graduation requirements | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Attrition for academic reasons | 0 | 0.00% | 2 | 33.30% | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Attrition for other reasons | 1 | 16.70% | 1 | 16.70% | 0 | 0.00% | |
Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement
NSU College of Optometry values transparency and accountability. To help you make informed decisions, we provide a Professional Licensure and Disclosure Statement. This statement includes important information about the requirements for obtaining a professional license as an optometrist.
Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement
Why NSU College of Optometry?
See what our students have to say about their program and college experiences.