Pre-Optometry Affiliation Program
Elizabethtown College offers a preferred admission pathway to optometry, providing qualified students with provisional acceptance and an accelerated route to becoming a Doctor of Optometry.
Learn More About Health Professions AdvisingPartnership Program
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University
3+4 Doctor of Optometry Program
Program Structure: Apply to the Doctor of Optometry Program in your second year at Elizabethtown College. If accepted, start the program after your third year with a minimum of 90 semester hours completed. Transfer credits from your first year at Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University apply towards Etown's Biology – Health Professions B.S. degree.
Who Can Apply: Current Biology – Health Professions majors in their second year
Process: Following an interview, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University will inform both HPAC and the student of their provisional acceptance status. Core requirements should be completed during the three years at Elizabethtown before starting courses at Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University.
Requirements:
- Major: Biology – Health Professions
- Overall GPA: Minimum 3.0 at the time of application and throughout third year
- Before Applying: Complete chemistry and physics requirements and one year of biology, and take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) after second year
- Required Courses: Grade of C or higher in the required courses designated in the catalog
- Credit Hours: Minimum 90 semester hours before starting at Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University
- Application Timing: Apply in second year
- Additional Requirements: Contact the Health Professions Advising Committee for program details and admissions requirements
Contact the Health Professions Advising Committee at hpac@etown.edu for details and admissions requirements.
Suggested Coursework
The following courses fulfill minimum requirements for most optometry schools.
| Subject Area | Etown Courses | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Biology (16 hours) (including microbiology, physiology, and anatomy) |
BIO 111, BIO 112, BIO 235*, BIO 324*, BIO 324L* & 3-4 additional credits | First-Third Year |
| Chemistry (16 hours) (including organic chemistry) |
CH 105, CH 113*, CH 213*, CH 216*, CH 242* | First-Second Year |
| Physics (8 hours) | PHY 101, PHY 102* | Third Year |
| English (8 hours) | EN 100 & Second EN Course | First-Third Year |
| Mathematics (8 hours) (calculus and statistics) |
MA 121, MA 251 | Second Year or Later |
| Psychology (3-4 hours) | PSY 105 | Any Semester |
* Pre-requisites exist for some courses. Consult the Etown College Catalog for details.
For school-specific requirements, visit ASCO (Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry).