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Admissions
Course Requirements
To assure that you are ready for optometry school, ICO requires a series of college-level, pre-optometry courses prior to admission. Completion of additional science coursework, particularly human-based biological science, is strongly recommended. Only grades of C or higher will be accepted. Classes from 4-year universities are preferred. These courses may be planned or in-progress at the time of your application.
ICO will accept Advanced Placement courses for the prerequisites as long as you received the appropriate number of credit hours. These courses must appear on your official college transcript or in a letter from your registrar.
We gladly accept applicants from any and all undergraduate majors. Additionally, exceptional non-degree candidates may be considered, as long as they have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours prior to enrolling at ICO.
Below is the minimum coursework expected with your application.
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 elective courses include:
Biochemistry, cellular biology, human anatomy, physiology, genetics, computer science, business, economics, sociology, public speaking and additional psychology courses.
​
If you took a college class and are unsure if it meets our expectations, or if all of your prerequisites were completed at a community college, please contact ICO Admissions.
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