ADMISSIONS
Admissions Requirements
Click here to view SCCO's 2011-13 Catalog.
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. Alternatively, 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. For more information about early decision, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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.
| Semester Units | Quarter Units | |
| Calculus (Analytical Geometry/Calculus also acceptable) | 3 | 4 |
| General Biology or Zoology (the one year sequence of), no lab requirement | 6 | 9 |
|
General Microbiology or Bacteriology, including laboratory (No substitutions are allowed) |
3 | 4 |
| Human Anatomy, including laboratory | 3 | 4 |
| Human Physiology, including laboratory | 3 | 4 |
| General Physics (the one year sequence of), including laboratory | 8 | 12 |
| General Chemistry (the one year sequence of), including laboratory | 8 | 12 |
| Organic Chemistry | 3 | 4 |
| Biochemistry | 3 | 4 |
| Psychology (Statistics will not meet this requirement) | 3 | 4 |
| English Composition or Literature | 6 | 8 |
| Statistics | 3 | 4 |
| Bachelor's Degree |
Prerequisite Requirement Change -- Effective September 14, 2012:
- Labs are no longer required for general biology courses.
-
Advanced Placement (AP) credits will be accepted for:
- Calculus
- ONE of the two required English courses. One English course must be completed at the college or university level.
Early Decision Qualification
With more and more students deciding on careers in high school and even middle school, Early Decision is becoming a more favorable option. Being accepted as an Early Decision applicant affords many benefits. If you are motivated and know optometry is what you want to do, start your planning in high school and be on track to apply using this option. Click here for more information.
ASCO’s Admissions Requirements Handbook
ASCO, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, provides helpful information about all aspects of an optometric education. SCCO’s information is on page 64. ASCO’s Admissions Requirements (PDF).
