Pre-Optometry

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Designed to prepare students for their first two years of a three-year pre-optometric program. At least one additional year of course work at a senior institution will be required before admission to an optometry school.

This program is designed for the student who does intend to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.

Degree: Associate of Science

Emphasis: Pre-Optometry

Recommended Full-Time Schedule

The following Recommended Full-Time Schedule is not a substitute for academic advising. You must meet with an academic advisor each semester to be cleared for registration. Consult with your advisor about scheduling and degree requirements. Also, see the current undergraduate catalog (catalog.ws.edu) for a complete list of requirements and electives. Requirements are continually under revision, and there is no guarantee they will not be changed or revoked. Contact the academic division or department for current information.

Factors that affect your progression include required Learning Support courses, your choices regarding campus location, course delivery method, and the days and times selected to take classes.

¹General Education electives in each category must be chosen from approved courses listed in the General Education Program .

²See senior institution for history requirements.

³Students with ACT Math of 26 or higher can take MATH 2910 without a prerequisite. Students with ACT Math of 25 or lower will need to take MATH 1710 and/or MATH 1720. Math Division will place after testing.

Learning Support courses must be taken every semester until completed.

Completion of the courses below satisfies requirements for A.S. degree. PHYS 2010/2011 and 2020/2021 will be required prior to entry into most optometry schools and these can be take at Walters State.

First Year

Fall Term (14 semester credit hours)

BIOL 1110 - General Biology I (3 hrs.)
BIOL 1111 - General Biology I Lab (1 hr.)
CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I (3 hrs.)
CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab (1 hr.)
ENGL 1010 - English Composition I (3 hrs.)
1 Behavioral/Social Science Elective (3 hrs.) (Select from Walters State approved general education list)¹

Spring Term (15 semester credit hours)

BIOL 1120 - General Biology II (3 hrs.)
BIOL 1121 - General Biology II Lab (1 hr.)
CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II (3 hrs.)
CHEM 1121 - General Chemistry II Lab (1 hr.)
ENGL 1020 - English Composition II (3 hrs.)
MATH 1910 - Calculus I (4 hrs.)³

Second Year

Fall Term (17 semester credit hours)

BIOL 2230 - Introduction to Microbiology (3 hrs.)
BIOL 2231 - Introduction to Microbiology Lab (1 hr.)
CHEM 2010 - Organic Chemistry I (3 hrs.)
CHEM 2011 - Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 hr.)
COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication (3 hrs.)
1 History Elective (3 hrs.)^1,2

1 Humanities Elective (3 hrs.) (Select from Walters State approved general education list)¹

Spring Term (16 semester credit hours)

CHEM 2020 - Organic Chemistry II (3 hrs.)
CHEM 2021 - Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 hr.)
PSYC 1030 - Introduction to Psychology (3 hrs.)
1 History Elective (3 hrs.)^1,2

1 ENGL Literature Elective (3 hrs.) (Select from Walters State approved general education list)¹

1 Humanities Elective (3 hrs.) (Select from Walters State approved general education list)¹

Program Degree Requirements - A.S. Pre-Optometry

General Education Requirements (42 hours)

Communication (9 hours)

Humanities and/or Fine Arts (9 hours)

Approved Humanities General Education electives¹6 credits
Approved Literature elective¹3 credits

Pre-Optometry

Recommended Full-Time Schedule

First Year

Fall Term (14 semester credit hours)

Spring Term (15 semester credit hours)

Second Year

Fall Term (17 semester credit hours)

Spring Term (16 semester credit hours)

Program Degree Requirements - A.S. Pre-Optometry

General Education Requirements (42 hours)

Communication (9 hours)

Humanities and/or Fine Arts (9 hours)

History (6 hours)

Behavioral/Social Sciences (6 hours)

Mathematics (4 hours)

Natural Science (8 hours)

Area of Emphasis Requirements (20 hours)

Total Credit Hours 62