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Eastern Illinois University

Pre-Optometry Pathway

Prepare for optometry school and a career helping people see the world more clearly. Build a strong GPA and Optometry Admission Test (OAT) score, develop leadership skills and gain exposure to the field.

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Pre-Optometry Pathway

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Degree Level
Undergraduate Option
Delivery
In Person
Time to Degree
8 Semesters
Credit Hours
120 Total, 44 in Major
Careers
Optometrists
Pre-Optometry Pathway students at EIU

Why Study Pre-Optometry Pathway at EIU?

  • Shadowing opportunities with local Optometrists
  • Acceptance rates of EIU graduates to optometry schools exceed the national average since 2019
  • Major-level biology lab courses are capped at 24 students
"From the moment I stepped onto campus, every professor, staff member, and student I encountered treated me with such genuine warmth and respect, as if I were already a valued member of their community. Despite not having officially joined the EIU family, I immediately felt a deep sense of belonging. The atmosphere was one of comfort and inclusivity, where everyone seemed genuinely invested in my success and well-being."
Abbey McCord
Pre-Optometry Pathway | Class of 2025
Abbey McCord, Pre-Optometry Pathway at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Clinical Rotation course dedicated to providing diverse clinical healthcare shadowing opportunities
Explore Courses
Hands-On Experience, Pre-Optometry Pathway students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The Pre-Optometry Pathway prepares you for a four-year doctor of optometry program and a career diagnosing and treating disorders of the eye and helping people see the world more clearly. It is a fit if you enjoy science and health care and are ready for a very competitive admission process. Each optometry program has slightly different criteria, so you plan your coursework around the prerequisites of the schools you choose.

View in Catalog
$136,570
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Optometrists

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Bright OutlookBright Outlook careers are ones with a promising future. They're expected to grow quickly, to have lots of job openings, or to be brand new and emerging. A career earns the label if it meets any one of these: projected growth of 5% or more, at least 75,000 projected openings, or New & Emerging status.
Grow Rapidly: Jobs in this career are expected to grow 5% or more over the next several years, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Grow Rapidly
Preparation Needed Extensive (5/5)Job Zone 5: Extensive preparationMost of these careers require graduate school, and many also call for more than five years of experience.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit InvestigativeInvestigative interest typeYou like digging into how things work. This type of work involves researching and analyzing natural phenomena, living things, health problems or human behavior.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Connect With Us

Mary
University Pre-Health Professions Advisor
mclaingen@eiu.edu
2070 Life Sciences
217-581-6235
Mary Message Mary

Message Mary

or email mclaingen@eiu.edu directly
Elliott Zieman
Chair and Associate Professor
eazieman@eiu.edu
2070
217-581-1976
Elliott Zieman Message Elliott

Message Elliott

or email eazieman@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

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or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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