Make a difference in the eyes of others through a career in optometry!
As a pre-optometry student at Cumberlands, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to take on the rigors of more advanced studies in optometry school or in a natural science discipline. Earning a pre-optometry degree can bridge your undergraduate education to your graduate education with specialized focus in your personal areas of interest. Whether you find yourself serving the needs of the vision-impaired or working in general vision, your career in optometry is sure to be a rewarding one.
Not only is this a career with impeccable financial benefits, but improving the vision quality and overall vision health of your patients will result in an incredibly fulfilling career. From helping preserve and better patients’ vision to contributing to medical and pharmaceutical studies with the potential to cure diseases, the possibilities for pre-optometry majors are boundless.
By the Numbers
Programs & Requirements
* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.
To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog.
Pre-Optometry Program - Biology Track
While you have the option as a pre-optometry student to choose a major in almost any subject, most professional optometry graduate programs prefer students who have successfully completed courses in physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics, as well as having a strong background in English, humanities, and social sciences. The ability to solve scientific problems and a broad-based undergraduate education are considered essential for optometry students. If you want a well-rounded undergraduate background preferred by most professional schools of optometry, then Cumberlands' Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology - Pre-Professional Emphasis is the perfect program for you.
Course Requirements
BIOL 111 Becoming a Successful Biologist
BIOL 113 Introduction to Population Biology Laboratory
BIOL 114 Introduction to Cellular Biology Laboratory
BIOL 133 Introduction to Population Biology
BIOL 134 Introduction to Cellular Biology
BIOL 210 Introduction to Biological Literature
BIOL 246 Biodiversity
BIOL 340 Genetics
BIOL 495 Senior Seminar OR BIOL 498 Senior Thesis
A Bachelor of Arts degree requires completing the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of completing one foreign language sequence through the intermediate level.
FREN 131 Elementary French I
FREN 132 Elementary French II
FREN 231 Intermediate French I
FREN 232 Intermediate French II
SPAN 131 Elementary Spanish I
SPAN 132 Elementary Spanish II
SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
MATH 132 College Algebra (or higher math course)
CHEM 132 General College Chemistry I
CHEM 111 General College Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 232 General College Chemistry II
CHEM 211 General College Chemistry II Laboratory
Select from the following:
PHYS 241 Physics I
PHYS 242 Physics II
PHYS 137 Physical Science
PHYS 117 Physical Science Laboratory
BIOL 231 Environmental Science
BIOL 116 Environmental Science Laboratory
Select from the following:
BIOL 331 Vertebrate Embryology
BIOL 342 Parasitology
BIOL 345 Microbiology*
BIOL 346 Biochemistry*
BIOL 436 Medical Biochemistry
BIOL 441 Immunology
BIOL 442 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy*
BIOL 443 General Physiology*
BIOL 445 Molecular Biology
BIOL 446 Cell Biology in Health and Disease
BIOL 447 Histology
Pre-Optometry Program - Chemistry Track
This option is recommended for students entering a “blended” area such as pre-professional medically related areas (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapist, etc.), chemistry/business, and chemistry/biology. With a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Chemistry - Pre-Professional Emphasis, you'll be well prepared to pursue graduate study.
Course Requirements
CHEM 132 General College Chemistry I
CHEM 111 General Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 232 General College Chemistry II
CHEM 211 General Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 332 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 322 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 336 Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 328 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 441 Physical Chemistry I lab included (4 hours)
CHEM 434 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 490 Senior Research Project, Capstone in Chemistry (2 hours required)
CHEM 491 Selected Topics or BIOL 346 Biochemistry
NOTE: MATH 140, MATH 240, PHYS 241, and PHYS 242 are prerequisites for some upper-level chemistry courses.
A Bachelor of Arts degree requires completing the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of completing one foreign language sequence through the intermediate level.
FREN 131 Elementary French I
FREN 132 Elementary French II
FREN 231 Intermediate French I
FREN 232 Intermediate French II
SPAN 131 Elementary Spanish I
SPAN 132 Elementary Spanish II
SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
Take the Next Step
Mission and Goals
The mission of the pre-optometry program at University of the Cumberlands is to provide the knowledge and skills that will prepare you for optometry school and help you succeed in various fields of service in healthcare and related sciences.
Pre-Optometry Careers & Outcomes
All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Optometrist: $124,300
Optometrist: $124,300
Optometrists diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system, including examining eyes and prescribing corrective lenses.
Optician: $37,570
Optician: $37,570
Opticians help fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Ophthalmologist: $219,810
Ophthalmologist: $219,810
Ophthalmologists diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye. May also provide vision services for treatment including glasses and contacts.
Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900
Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900
Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists.
Medical Scientist: $95,310
Medical Scientist: $95,310
Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health.
Laboratory Director: $101,340
Laboratory Director: $101,340
Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare providers.
Common Questions
Pre-optometry is a program of study uniquely designed for preparing future optometry and graduate school students for a successful career in the fields of optometry or natural science.
With a pre-optometry credential, students can continue on to a professional school of optometry or pursue advanced studies in a natural science discipline. Program graduates can ultimately take on roles in the optometry field or branch into a variety of natural science careers.
To the right people, pursuing a major in pre-optometry is absolutely worth it! Benefits of pursuing your pre-optometry degree at University of the Cumberlands include having expanded career opportunities and dedicated advisors, the possibility for an incredibly rewarding career, and meeting requirements for optometry school early.
Besides a focus on courses in the sciences – including physics, chemistry, and biology – pre-optometry students also explore studies in English, mathematics, social sciences, and the humanities, which are all areas of study preferred by professional schools of optometry.
Absolutely! Through pre-professional coursework and specialized programs of study, our pre-optometry students are prepared for the rigors of more advanced study in optometry school programs. Following a biology or chemistry track, the program provides pre-optometry majors with the well-rounded undergraduate background preferred by most professional schools of optometry.
Faculty Experts in Pre-Optometry
Get to know about the pre-optometry faculty you'll interact with at Cumberlands.
Emily Garland
Emily Brown
Jeffrey Schwarz
Jeffrey Schwarz
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