ADMISSIONS:

Applications for admission are accepted each year from July 1 to March 15 for classes beginning the following fall. Due to Rolling Admissions, the Admissions Policy Committee encourages applicants to apply as early as possible during this period.

View SCCO's 2011-13 Catalog.

For information on SCCO's Master of Science in Vision Science program, click here.

Prerequisite Requirements

Academic requirements for admission to SCCO are based on standards set by the California Optometry Law, the accrediting bodies and the judgment of the Admissions Policy Committee.

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required for admission. A student may apply during his/her senior year of college and supply documentation certifying that they will be receiving their degree prior to the start of the first-year classes in August. Secondly, students may apply during their junior year in college for an early decision. If accepted, their enrollment will be guaranteed for the following year after the completion of their bachelor's degree. An early decision acceptance implies a commitment on the part of the applicant to not apply to other programs during the year they are completing the bachelor’s degree.

Applicants are expected to have completed a traditional college education including a broad foundation in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities and must demonstrate facility in writing and speaking the English language. The following courses must be completed at a regionally accredited institution, in the United States or Canada, with a grade of "C-" or better prior to enrollment and are the minimum requirements for all applicants.

AP credits cannot be used to satisfy the prerequisites. We require that all prerequisites be taken at either the college or university level. Your AP credits CAN be used toward the completion of your Bachelor’s Degree, but cannot be a substitute for a prerequisite requirement.

Prerequisites

Calculus (Analytical Geometry/Calculus also acceptable)
3 semester units or 4 quarter units

General Biology or Zoology, including laboratory
8 semester units or 12 quarter units

General Microbiology or Bacteriology, including laboratory
(No substitutions are allowed)
3 semester units or 4 quarter units

Human Anatomy, including laboratory
3 semester units or 4 quarter units

Human Physiology, including laboratory
3 semester units or 4 quarter units

General Physics (the one year sequence of), including laboratory
8 semester units or 12 quarter units

General Chemistry (the one year sequence of), including laboratory
8 semester units or 12 quarter units

Organic Chemistry
3 semester units or 4 quarter units

Biochemistry
3 semester units or 4 quarter units

Psychology (Statistics will not meet this requirement)
3 semester units or 4 quarter units

English Composition or Literature
6 semester units or 8 quarter units

Statistics
3 semester units or 4 quarter units

Bachelor's Degree

Articulation Agreements (acceptable prerequisite courses)

For a list of Articulation Agreements for a number of California colleges and universities, click here.

OAT Preparation

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) must be taken by all applicants. The test is given by the Optometry Admission Testing Program, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611; Telephone 800.232.2159; email www.opted.org.

The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is being offered as a computerized test at Prometric Testing Centers, www.2test.com, located in the United States as well as Canada. You will be allowed to take the exam an unlimited number of times, but must wait at least 90 days between testing dates. The OAT must be completed by March 15 of each admissions season.

Each entering SCCO class completes an "OAT Preparation Questionnaire". Click to see how they responded.

For more information about the OAT and tips for how to prepare for the test, contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

SCCO’s YouTube Channel

Videos on a host of subjects such as the admissions process and student life are uploaded routinely.  Become a subscriber so you don’t miss out.  Click here for SCCO on YouTube.   Guiding you through the admissions process are (l-r):  SCCO’s Director of Admissions Jane Ann Munroe, O.D., and Assistant Director of Admissions Eryn Kraning.

Advanced Placement (AP) Credits Policy

SCCO does not accept AP credits for the prerequisite requirements.  All prerequisites must be completed at either the college or university level.  AP credits may be applied toward the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree but not toward the prerequisite requirements.
 

Pre-requisite Requirements Must Be Completed at Schools Accredited by the United States Regional Accrediting Associations

All pre-requisites must be completed at a college or university accredited by one of the U.S. Regional Accrediting Associations.  For a list of those associations, please click here.  To verify a college or university accreditation, you are advised to visit its website.
 

Policy for Completing Pre-requisite Courses Online

SCCO accepts pre-requisite lecture courses completed online but does not accept labs completed online.  SCCO requires that all labs be completed in a classroom setting. Virtual labs are not an acceptable format. 

Some online courses offer an online lecture with labs completed in a classroom setting. This is an acceptable format.

Only online courses completed through regionally accredited colleges or universities are acceptable.
 

Foreign Applicants

Applicants who have completed a bachelor's degree outside of the United States are individually evaluated. Applicants with coursework completed outside the USA or Canada, must submit a certified course equivalency evaluation of all work on their transcripts. The minimum prerequisite courses must be completed at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. In addition, foreign applicants who are not permanent U.S. residents must submit a certified bank statement showing their ability to pay for the four years of education prior to an I-20 form being issued for immigration purposes.

Transfer Students

Students wishing to transfer from another optometric school or college in the United States or Canada must meet the following criteria: make formal application to SCCO; be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the transferring institution; supply a letter of recommendation and permission from the chief executive officer of the transferring institution; supply a letter from each of two full-time members of the faculty of the transferring institution recommending the transfer; provide a letter explaining in detail why the transfer is being requested; meet all current admissions requirements and standards of SCCO; supply official transcripts of all collegiate work completed, including that taken at the transferring institution; and submit scores for the Optometry Admission Test (OAT).

Decisions on transfer applications are made by the Admissions Policy Committee in cooperation with the Office of Student Affairs. Factors considered include: available space, admissions standards, reason for the transfer request, appropriateness of courses completed to the academic level to which transfer is requested, and personal attributes of the applicant.