Looking for one of the best Optometry schools in California? You have come to the right place. We have in this article compiled a list of some of the top Optometry schools near me in California to pursue optometry program.
An Optometrist is a medical officer who examines the eyes and other parts of the visual system. They are also responsible for the treatment, management and correction of disorders and diseases of the visual system, the eye and its associate structures
Being an Optometrist is one of the most lucrative jobs in California. According to salary.com, the annual salary of an Optometrist in California ranges from $150,767 to $170,000 as of 2022. However, salary depends on many factors such as the certification, years of experience, and others.
Optometry Schools in California
Below is an overview of the top Optometry schools near me in California
1. Western University College of Health Sciences, College of Optometry
Western University College of Health Sciences is number one on our list because it is one of the most popular institutions in California that offers Optometry courses. The university is a private health sciences college located in California.
The university has campuses in Pomona, California, with an additional osteopathic medical school in Lebanon, Oregon. Western University of Health Sciences was formerly known as College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific which was established in 1977. The school has a student and academic staff population of 3,800 and 393 respectively as of 2022.
Western University Programs
- Doctor of Optometry
- Doctor of Veterinary Science
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Pharmacy
- Doctor of Dental Health
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
In addition to the listed courses, the school also offer other masters courses in the area of Physician Assistantship, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Medical Sciences. The school was accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Foundation in February, 2013.
Admission Requirements
1. Applicant applying to the School of Optometry must possess a minimum of 90 semester or 135 quarter units of undergraduate coursework
2.A must submit standardized test scores as indicated by the institution
3. He/She must also submit proof of legal U.S residency - if required
4. He/She must submit two letters of recommendation
He must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL Score)
Website: https://www.westernu.edu/optometry/
2. UC Berkeley School of Optometry
UC Berkeley School of Optometry, also known as Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science is a public health college that offers optometry courses. The school is located in Berkeley, California.
It is one of the popular institutions in California that provides optometry courses. Berkeley School of Optometry dates all the way back to the early 20th century making it one of the oldest optometry universities in the United States.
Students at Berkeley university are trained to provide primary eye and vision care which include eye examination and diagnose, treatment and management of eye diseases and other conditions.
Admission Requirements and Process
- Applicant must submit Standardized Test Score (It is important to know that due to the covid-19 pandemic, submission of Standardized Test results is now an option for students).
- Applicant must also submit academic transcripts which will be verified by OptomCAS
- Three letters of recommendation received by OptomCAS
- Applicant must pay supplementary fee via the UC Berkeley admission portal
- All applicants will be invited to an interview
Website: https://www.ketchum.edu/optometry
3. Marshall B Ketchum University Southern California College of Optometry
Another top Optometry school in California is the Marshall B Ketchum University Southern California College of Optometry. The university is a private Optometry college that focuses graduate programs in healthcare. The school is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometry Association (AOA).
Marshall B Ketchum University is among the oldest universities in the world. The college was officially established in 1904 as a multidisciplinary institution. The School of Physician Assistant Studies and College of Pharmacy were added in 2011 and 2013 respectively.
The school offers a four-year baccalaureate program in Optometry leading to the award of degree and doctor of Optometry (OD). Other programs offered by the university include Physician Assistant (PA), Master if Science in Vision Science, and Pharmacy.
General Admission Requirements
1. Applicant must pass OAT and other standardized tests
2. He or she must also submit letters of recommendation. The recommended letters should be submitted directly by the recommender to OptomCAS
3. Applicant must academic transcripts
4. Must show shadowing and experience
5. OptomCAS application is required
6. He or she must pay for SCCO supplemental fee
7. He or she must not also have a criminal record
What you will learn at an Optometry college
Optometry, just like any Science course requires hard work and dedication. Optometry courses are usually four years long and include coursework in subjects like microbiology, chemistry, human anatomy, and physiology.
At Optometry school, you will be taught about vision science, eye diseases and conditions, and other subjects related to vision and eye health. Students may also have the option to specialize in areas like vision therapy, ocular diseases, contact lenses, and paediatrics and others.
Conclusion
The colleges listed above are some of the popular Optometry schools in California as the time of we writing this article. There are only three accredited Optometry schools near me in California as at 2022. We recommend you visit each school to learn more about their services such as admission requirements, acceptance rate, fees and other relevant information.
