Arizona College of Optometry

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Completion of course prerequisites with a grade of C or higher
• Minimum overall cumulative GPA and science GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale
• Submission of the results of one of the following entrance examinations:  Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Dental Aptitude Test (DAT), Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). 
  • A competitive test score (at least at or above the mean score for each exam) is recommended of all applicants. 
  • In order to be considered for the class to be admitted in the fall of each academic year, the entrance examination must be taken and results submitted by April 30th of the year of matriculation. 
  • Entrance exam scores must be earned no more than five years prior to the planned enrollment year.
• Two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a practicing optometrist

Full list of requirements*

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Students must apply for admission via OptomCAS by April 1st. 

Due to the large number of applicants and the limited number of seats available, students are strongly encouraged to complete the application early in the cycle. 

AZCOPT will consider completed applications on a first-come, first-served basis until all seats are filled.

Apply Now at OptomCAS

Mission

The mission of Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry is to educate future optometrists and residents in an interprofessional healthcare environment.  The College fosters professional attitudes and behaviors that encourage lifelong learning, scholarship to serve the needs of the public, and a commitment to improve the health and well-being of society.

Vision

The Arizona College of Optometry's vision is to:

• Deliver the premier optometric educational experience utilizing our unique multi-health professional setting and cutting edge technology.
• Provide our students with the knowledge and skills to deliver the highest level of professional, ethical and compassionate eye and vision care.
• Promote lifelong learning, community outreach and innovative research.

Goals

The 9 goals of the Arizona College of Optometry (AZCOPT) are listed below:

• Ensure that students have a strong foundation in basic visual and clinical sciences by providing broad and innovative educational opportunities
• Plan and develop a diversity of clinical experiences to enable students to enter the practice of optometry
• Support and nurture an environment of intellectual inquiry and research activity by students, residents and faculty
• Promote interprofessional educational programming to develop students' appreciation of other health care professions
• Promote student involvement in community service
• Maintain and advance high quality residency programs
• Perpetuate an Eye Institute that serves the eye/vision care needs of the community
• Provide lifelong learning activities and support services to the optometric profession and the public
• Maintain the financial viability of the College

Our thorough curriculum prepares students in an interprofessional healthcare environment to learn about treating the whole patient.

• First year is focused on health sciences, optics, and anatomy. 
• Second and third year introduces ocular disease, vision sciences, and specialty services. 
• Part time clinical exposure starts in the second year and ramps up to full time in the fourth year. 

View curriculum details*

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The Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry has been granted the accreditation classification of ACCREDITED as of April 24, 2013 by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), of the American Optometric Association (AOA), 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141-7881; phone 314-991-4100. "Accredited" is the classification granted to a professional degree program that generally meets the standards for accreditation.  

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.