BS in Health Sciences, Pre-Optometry

About the Major

The BS/OD program is for the academically outstanding student with strong, realistic motivation toward the optometric profession. Initial study at the University of Hartford allows you to complete the general education and basic science requirements for the BS in health science degree and the prerequisites necessary for professional study.

The BS degree is awarded by the University of Hartford following the successful completion of the first year of graduate study. Students who are not in the accelerated program typically complete the BS degree in four years at the University of Hartford.

The optometry program requires four years of combined academic and clinical training leading to the OD degree, which is a prerequisite for licensure eligibility in the United States. The New England College of Optometry provides students with an accredited four-year professional optometry curriculum.

Admission to the University of Hartford does not guarantee admission to the graduate program. You must complete an application for the graduate program after the second year of study at UHart.

Degree Requirements

Prior to attendance at the New England College of Optometry, students must complete 101 credits. A sample of courses is listed below; view the full curriculum in the course catalog.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Health Science Pre-Optometry articulation program between the University of Hartford and the New England College of Optometry (NECO) must be academically outstanding students with strong, realistic motivation toward the optometric profession.

Acceptance to the program normally requires a student to:

• Maintain at least a B average overall and in the sciences during the first three years of high school;
• Rank in the upper 10 percent of the student's high school class;
• Obtain a combined score of at least 1100 (Verbal and Math) on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

To be eligible for admission to NECO, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Send a letter of intent to NECO upon matriculation at the University of Hartford.
• Complete at least 90 credits of coursework, including all necessary prerequisites, by the end of the third year at UHart.
• Achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.4 overall, with a minimum grade of C in all required courses.
• Submit an application for admission to NECO at the beginning of the final year of pre-professional studies at UHart.
• Satisfactory performance on the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT).
• Obtain a recommendation for admission to NEWENCO from the health science, pre-optometry advisor and/or a letter of recommendation from the University Premedical Professional Advisory Committee.
• Complete all application procedures including a satisfactory interview with members of the Admissions Committee at NECO.

Transfer

If you are applying as a transfer student, you will submit your application and documentation to our Office of Admission. The staff are knowledgeable about credit articulation agreements that we have with other institutions and work closely with the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions to provide transfer students with the information they need to make a smooth transition.

Program Contact

Linda Dahlin
Program Director, Health Sciences
860.768.5026
ldahlin@hartford.edu

Accreditation

The University of Hartford is accredited by the Board of Higher Education of the State of Connecticut and by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The New England College of Optometry is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) of the American Optometric Association (a member of the Council of Post-Secondary Accreditation) and NECHE.