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Course Requirements

Preparing for optometry school

We want to make sure you feel prepared when you arrive at ICO. We are a strong team and we will support you in every way we can, but optometry school is a lot of hard work. The completion of a series of pre-optometry courses prior to admission sets you on the course for success.

 

We have found that science-specific courses completed at 4-year universities tend to better align with the types of courses students take at ICO. Grades of C or higher are accepted. Courses do not need to be completed before applying and can be planned or in-progress at the time of your application. Additionally, we strongly encourage the completion of human-based biological science courses.

 

We welcome applicants from any and all undergraduate majors. It is possible for exceptional non-degree candidates to be considered once they have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours prior to enrolling at ICO.

Course

Minimum

Semester Hours

Minimum

Quarter Hours

6

 

​

​

​

3

​

​

3

  

​

​

​

6

  

 

​

​

3

​

​

6

​

​

3

​

​

6

 

​

​

3

 

​

​

3

English Composition/Literature

Or similar graded non-remedial writing courses. One course in public speaking is acceptable.

​

College Calculus

Pre-calculus is not acceptable.

​

Statistics

Business statistics is not recommended. Psychology statistics or biostatistics are acceptable.

​

Biology with Laboratory

General biology, physiology, zoology and comparative anatomy are all acceptable. Botany does not apply.

​

Microbiology with Laboratory

Bacteriology is also acceptable.

​

General Chemistry with Laboratory

Inorganic Chemistry is also acceptable.

​

Organic Chemistry

Laboratory is not required.

​

Physics with Laboratory

The sequence does not need to be calculus-based.

​

Psychology

Both introductory and upper-level psychology courses are acceptable.

​

Social Science

Economics, political science, anthropology, sociology or an additional psychology course are acceptable.

9

 

​

​

​

4.5

​

​

4.5

  

​

​

​

9

  

 

​

​

4.5

​

​

9

​

​

4.5

​

​

9

 

​

​

4.5

 

​

​

4.5

Recommended science-specific elective courses to be taken at a 4-year university include biochemistry, cellular biology, human anatomy, physiology, and genetics. General coursework can be taken at the institution of your choice given the credit is accepted at ICO. Other recommended electives include computer science, business, economics, sociology, public speaking, and additional psychology courses.

​

Advanced Placement courses are accepted for the prerequisites as long as the courses appear on your official college transcript, or in a letter from your registrar, and the appropriate number of credit hours were received.

 

If you have questions about if a course meets our requirements, or if all of your prerequisites were completed at a community college, please contact ICO Admissions at admissions@ico.edu or (312) 949-7400.

​

​

English Composition/Literature

Or similar graded non-remedial writing courses. One course in public speaking is acceptable.

Minimum Semester Hours: 6

Minimum Quarter Hours: 9

​

College Calculus

Pre-calculus is not acceptable.

Minimum Semester Hours: 3

Minimum Quarter Hours: 4.5

​

Statistics

Business statistics is not recommended. Psychology statistics or biostatistics are acceptable.

Minimum Semester Hours: 3

Minimum Quarter Hours: 4.5

​

Biology with Laboratory

General biology, physiology, zoology and comparative anatomy are all acceptable. Botany does not apply.

Minimum Semester Hours: 6

Minimum Quarter Hours: 9

​

Microbiology with Laboratory

Bacteriology is also acceptable.

Minimum Semester Hours: 3

Minimum Quarter Hours: 4.5

​

General Chemistry with Laboratory

Inorganic Chemistry is also acceptable.

Minimum Semester Hours: 6

Minimum Quarter Hours: 9

​

Organic Chemistry

Laboratory is not required.

Minimum Semester Hours: 3

Minimum Quarter Hours: 4.5

​

Physics with Laboratory

The sequence does not need to be calculus-based.

Minimum Semester Hours: 6

Minimum Quarter Hours: 9

​

Psychology

Both introductory and upper-level psychology courses are acceptable.

Minimum Semester Hours: 3

Minimum Quarter Hours: 4.5

​

Social Science

Economics, political science, anthropology, sociology or an additional psychology course are acceptable.

Minimum Semester Hours: 3

Minimum Quarter Hours: 4.5

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