List of Optometry Schools in Oklahoma

Optometry is a field of medicine that examines, diagnoses, and treats issues with the eyes and vision. Optometrists are specialists in the field of optometry who conduct thorough eye examinations, write prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses, and treat ocular illnesses and conditions. here I am going to tell you the best Optometry Schools in Oklahoma for the interested professionals who wants to pursue this career. 

After earning a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, optometrists are licensed healthcare professionals who go on to complete a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. To acquire their license and begin practicing optometry in the United States, optometrists must pass a national board examination after completing their education.

Since optometrists are important healthcare professionals who play a crucial part in the healthcare system, the field of optometry in the United States has a very broad scope. The diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy are within the scope of the training of optometrists. They can also control and treat conditions like allergies, allergies, and dry eye syndrome.

In addition to corrective lenses for contact lenses and spectacles, optometrists can also recommend corrective lenses for glasses. For conditions like keratoconus, in which the cornea thins and conically shapes, they can equip patients with specialized contact lenses.

Optometrists are trained to manage and treat vision-related problems that can affect general health and wellbeing in addition to regular eye care and treating ocular diseases. They can, for instance, identify and treat binocular vision conditions like strabismus and amblyopia, which can cause migraines, eye strain, and other discomforts.

Optometrists can be found working in a range of places, including retail establishments, hospitals, clinics, and individual practices. To give patients comprehensive treatment, they work together with other healthcare professionals like ophthalmologists, family doctors, and other specialists.

List of Optometry Schools in Oklahoma

1.    Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry

A premier center for optometric instruction, research, and clinical care, Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSUOCO) is situated in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. NSUOCO offers a four-year Doctor of Optometry program that combines didactic coursework, clinical training, and externship experiences to give students a thorough education in the discipline of optometry. NSUOCO offers students hands-on experience and research chances with its cutting-edge facilities, which include a vision research center, a low vision clinic, and a pediatric vision clinic. NSUOCO, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), provides students with the tools they need to succeed in their jobs as licensed optometrists.

Admission Requirements

SAT/ACT

Northeastern State University first-year students typically have ACT values between 17 and 24.

First-year SAT results at Northeastern State University typically range from 955 to 1125.

TOEFL

In order to be considered for admission, Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSUOCO) needs international applicants to submit their results from an English proficiency exam. One of the approved English proficiency exams for NSUOCO is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Admission to NSUOCO requires a minimal internet-based TOEFL score of 79. (iBT). However, since admission to the Doctor of Optometry program is competitive and dependent on a number of variables, meeting the minimum criterion does not ensure admission.

International applicants may be exempt from the TOEFL requirement if they have completed a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States or in a country where English is the primary language of instruction. Additionally, international applicants who have completed at least two years of full-time study at an accredited institution in the United States may be exempt from the TOEFL requirement.

It is important for international applicants to check with NSUOCO for the most up-to-date admission requirements and English proficiency requirements.

Bachelor Degree

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited school with a minimum of 90 semester hours of undergraduate coursework is required for admission to the Doctor of Optometry program at NSUOCO. The necessary courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and math should have been finished by applicants. (Calculus or statistics).

Acceptance rate

Average acceptance of northeastern university is 99 percent.

Financial aid

Financial aid is offered by the Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSUOCO) to qualified students to assist in covering the cost of tuition and other educational costs. In the federal student aid program, which NSUOCO participates in, students can file for grants and loans to help pay for education. Students can apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

On AN AVERAGE 95 % STUDENTS RECEIVE financial aid of $8,475.

Accreditation

The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education has approved the doctor of optometry (OD) program at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSUOCO). (ACOE). The U.S. Department of Education has designated the ACOE as the certifying body for optometry professional degree program.

Tuition and fees

Tuition	Undergraduates	Graduates
Tuition in-district	$5,913	$4,500
Tuition in-state	$5,913	$4,500
Tuition out-of-state	$14,313	$9,999
Fee in-district	$1,002	$601
Fee in-state	$1,002	$601
Fee out-of-state	$1,002	$601

Curriculum and clinical experience

The Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry’s (NSUOCO) curriculum is built to give students a thorough education in the field of optometry and to equip them with the skills necessary for effective careers as optometrists. Students receive practical training in the most recent optometric techniques and technologies through a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical practice throughout the program.

An extensive range of optometry-related subjects are covered in the four-year program at NSUOCO, including the anatomy and physiology of the eye, vision science, ocular disease, pharmacology, optics, and clinical skills. In order to run profitable and moral optometric practices, students also take courses in ethics and practice management.

In addition to classroom instruction, NSUOCO students receive valuable clinical experience through clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals, clinics, and private practices as well as on-campus clinics run by the university. The Cherokee Nation Eye Clinic, one of the many clinics run by NSUOCO, is the main source of eye care for the Cherokee Nation and other local Native American tribes. Under the guidance of seasoned optometrists, students have the chance to work with patients and acquire practical experience diagnosing and treating a variety of eye conditions.

NSUOCO also offers a range of specialized clinics, such as the Pediatric and Binocular Vision Clinic and the Contact Lens Clinic, providing students with opportunities to gain expertise in specific areas of optometry. Additionally, NSUOCO has partnerships with a variety of healthcare providers and organizations, providing students with opportunities to gain experience working with diverse patient populations.

2.    The University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma – Norman (OU) is home to the College of Optometry, which offers a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree program. Established in 1972, the College of Optometry is one of only 23 optometry schools in the United States and is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).

Admissions requirements

• Typical SAT scores of first-years in the University of Oklahoma – Norman are 1100-1300 
• Typical ACT scores of first-years in the University of Oklahoma – Norman are 23-29
• SAT/ACT is usually considered but not a compulsion for admission.
• Completion of a minimum of 90 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework from a regionally accredited college or university, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8.
• Completion of a minimum of 50 hours of observation or work experience in optometry, which must be verified by a licensed optometrist.
• Submission of a completed application through the OptomCAS (Optometry Centralized Application Service) system.
• Submission of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s academic and personal qualifications.

Acceptance Rate

The university has a wide acceptance rate so it might be easy for you to get in with an 83% acceptance rate

Financial aid

To be considered for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet certain eligibility criteria. These criteria include:

• Enrollment in an eligible degree program.
• U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status.
• Demonstrated financial need, as determined by the FAFSA.
• Satisfactory academic progress.

OU offers a variety of scholarships and grants to incoming and current students, including merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, and departmental scholarships. Students may also be eligible for federal and state grants, such as the Pell Grant and Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Optometry (OD) program at the University of Oklahoma – Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE). The ACOE is the accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education [D71] for the accreditation of professional degree programs in optometry.

Tuition and fees

Tuition	Undergraduates	Graduates
Tuition in-district	$4,788	$6,943
Tuition in-state	$4,788	$6,943
Tuition out-of-state	$20,169	$21,602
Fee in-district	$6,900	$1,634
Fee in-state	$6,900	$1,634
Fee out-of-state	$6,900	$1,634

Curriculum and Clinical experience

Students who enroll in The University of Oklahoma – Norman’s Doctor of Optometry (OD) program receive a thorough education that equips them for a future in optometry. To provide students with a well-rounded education, the program combines in-person clinical training with classroom teaching.

Ocular anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, optics, binocular vision, and the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases are just a few of the subjects covered in the curriculum. For the business aspect of optometry, students also take courses in public health, ethics, and practice management.

Students learn clinical skills outside of the classroom through clinical training at affiliated hospitals and clinics as well as at OU’s own clinics. In addition to gaining valuable experience working with a variety of patient populations, this clinical experience enables students to put the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the classroom to use in practical situations.

Additionally, the program places a strong emphasis on inter-professional collaboration with other healthcare disciplines and offers students the chance to engage in research initiatives.

3.    University of Oklahoma – Health Sciences Center

The University of Oklahoma – Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) is a public health Sciences University located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is home to seven health professional colleges, including the College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, College of Dentistry, College of Allied Health, Graduate College, and the College of Public Health. OUHSC is dedicated to educating and training the next generation of healthcare professionals and advancing research and innovation in the field of health sciences.

Admission Requirements

• Completion of at least 90 credits of college-level instruction, with specific prerequisites in math, physics, chemistry, and biology.
• A minimum overall GPA of 2.75 out of 4.0.
• Competitive Optometry Admission Test result (OAT).
• Letters of reference from professors, medical experts, or other people who can vouch for the applicant’s likelihood of succeeding in the program.
• A statement of purpose outlining the applicant’s professional objectives and motivations for choosing optometry.
• A meeting with the selection panel.
• The Test of English as a Foreign tongue (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System must be taken by applicants whose first tongue is not English in order to prove their proficiency in the language. (IELTS).

Acceptance rate

Average rate of acceptance: 83%*

Among the schools that don’t provide information on acceptance rates is the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. This might occur because a university offers programs in which a student need only satisfy the admission requirements in order to enroll and is not necessary in competition with other students.

Based on admission data from closely ranked nearby institutions with comparable research profiles that do disclose such data, we estimate the aforementioned acceptance rate.

Financial aid

There is no as such information mentioned for financial aid.

Accreditation

 The Doctor of Optometry (OD) program at the University of Oklahoma – Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE). The ACOE is the accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for the accreditation of professional degree programs in optometry

Curriculum and Clinical Experience

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is one of the institutions that doesn’t disclose its acceptance statistics. This might happen because a university provides courses that don’t require students to compete with one another; instead, they only need to meet the admissions requirements in order to enroll.

We estimate the aforementioned acceptance rate based on admission data from highly ranked nearby schools with comparable research profiles that do reveal such data.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition	Undergraduates	Graduates
Tuition in-district	$4,788	$5,119
Tuition in-state	$4,788	$5,119
Tuition out-of-state	$20,169	$19,778
Fee in-district	$2,752	$2,344
Fee in-state	$2,752	$2,344
Fee out-of-state	$2,752	$2,344

You might want to see this:

• List of Optometry Schools in Virginia
• List of Optometry Schools in California
• List of Optometry Schools Acceptance Rates in the USA