The Chicago College of Optometry awards the degree Doctor of Optometry upon successful completion of the four-year professional curriculum in optometry. The first and second years of the curriculum emphasize basic health sciences, optics and visual science and students are introduced to clinical practice in simulation laboratories, through introductory courses and clinical experiences. Visual consequences of disease are introduced in the second year. The third year, divided between a didactic and clinical setting, emphasizes the diagnosis and treatment of ocular dysfunction and disease. The fourth year is intensive clinical training that will include both on campus and off campus externship rotations. Clinical settings for external rotations may include military facilities, veteran administration hospitals, public health service hospitals, and specialty and/or private practices or clinics.

• Basic, behavioral, and clinical sciences
• Preclinical simulation labs
• Licensing board simulation rooms
• Community clinical rotations
• National boards preparation courses
• Optometry business management courses
• Local and national external rotation sites
• Contemporary optometry practice curriculum and clinical settings
• Interprofessional education and clinical experience

Mission

The mission of the Chicago College of Optometry is to develop competent individuals who embrace lifelong learning through the pursuit of excellence in education, research, scholarship, and patient care for a diverse society. The College’s educational programs emphasize and promote public health, leadership, ethics, professionalism, compassion, commitment, collegiality, and sense of community.

Vision 

The vision of the Chicago College of Optometry requires the College to:
- Deliver an exceptional optometric education 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.
- Recruit qualified students; promote lifelong learning, community outreach, and innovative research; and develop leaders in the profession and communities.

Goals

The goals of the Chicago College of Optometry address teaching and learning, research and scholarly activity, and community and public service:
- Deliver a comprehensive Doctor of Optometry degree program that prepares graduates for contemporary practice and encourages and fosters advanced training in order to serve the interests and needs of the broader community.
- Present an innovative optometry program with faculty committed to learning and teaching the current research and evidence based medicine applications using technologies to provide an exceptional educational experience for students.

Develop and support the faculty and students in their commitment to research and scholarly activities and excellence in patient care.
- Graduate students who have achieved the learning outcomes as defined by the faculty.
- Improve patient care through promotion of interprofessional educational programming and the Midwestern University One Health Quality Initiative.
- Foster a commitment to professional, collegial, and ethical practices in patient care while promoting public service to diverse communities.
- Develop a high quality program appropriate for optometry residents in an affiliated or Midwestern University-sponsored accredited optometry residency site.
- Serve the eye and vision healthcare needs of Downers Grove and neighboring communities through the Midwestern University Eye Institute.
- Provide and encourage lifelong learning and support services to the optometric profession.
- Develop leaders in the optometric profession and the healthcare community.

The Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry will pursue the following goals:
Deliver a comprehensive Doctor of Optometry degree program that prepares graduates for contemporary entry-level practice and encourages and fosters advanced training, in order to serve the interests and needs of the broader community. Present an innovative optometry program with faculty committed to learning and teaching the current research and evidence based medicine applications, and using technologies to provide an exceptional educational experience for students. Develop and support the faculty and students in their commitment to research and scholarly activities and excellence in patient care. Graduate students who have achieved the learning outcomes as defined by the Faculty. Improve patient care through promotion of interprofessional educational programming and the Midwestern University One Health Quality Initiative. Foster a commitment to professional, collegial, and ethical practices in patient care while promoting public service to diverse communities. Develop a high quality program appropriate for optometry residents at an affiliated or Midwestern University sponsored accredited optometry residency site. Serve the eye and vision healthcare needs of Downers Grove and neighboring communities through the Midwestern University Eye Institute. Provide and encourage lifelong learning and support services to the optometric profession. Develop leaders in the optometric profession and the healthcare community. 

Program Improvements
Planned improvements include development of additional external rotation sites that allow students to gain experience with medically disadvantaged patients, embedded assessments for program improvement, and development of specialty practices in the MWU Eye Institute.

The Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry has been granted the accreditation classification of "Accredited" as of December 2, 2020 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.

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), located at 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois 60604-1413; phone 312/263-0456.

18% projected increase in optometry jobs by 2026*

$140,913 average net income for optometrists in 2016**

*According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Optometrists
**AOA Survey of Optometric Practice, updated January 2018 (https://optometriceducation.org/, last accessed 10/2/2018)

Chicago College of Optometry Admission

CCO considers for admission those students who possess the academic, professional, and personal qualities necessary for development as exemplary optometrists. CCO uses multiple criteria to select the most qualified candidates including cumulative and science grade point averages (GPAs), entrance exam scores (e.g. OAT), personal experiences and character, ability to communicate, familiarity with the profession, volunteer/community involvement, research experience, and other considerations. CCO uses a rolling admissions process.

Admission Requirements:

Students seeking admission to the Chicago College of Optometry must submit the following documented evidence:

1. A minimum cumulative GPA and science coursework GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
2. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. A B.A. degree is acceptable, but a B.S. degree is preferred.
3. Results of one of the following admission tests. Applicants must submit scores from one of the following admission tests: Optometry Admission Test (OAT), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Dental Aptitude Test (DAT), Pharmacy College Admission 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 admission test must be taken and results submitted by April 30^th of the year of matriculation. Entrance exam scores must be earned no more than five years prior to the planned enrollment year.
4. Necessary course prerequisites. All prerequisite courses must be completed with grades of C or better prior to matriculation. Only courses designed for science majors or pre-professional students are acceptable for the science prerequisites.
5. Two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a practicing optometrist. The other letter must be from a prehealth advisor, a professor, an employer or an extracurricular activity advisor. Letters of recommendation from relatives, personal and/or family friends are not acceptable.
6. A good understanding of optometric medicine. Candidates are strongly encouraged to shadow and observe a number of practicing optometrists in the clinical setting.
7. Extracurricular and/or community activities that indicate a well-rounded background and demonstrate a commitment to service.
8. Interpersonal and communication skills necessary to relate effectively with others.
9. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.
10. A commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.

Prerequisite Courses

*The Anatomy and Physiology requirements may also be fulfilled by taking Anatomy and Physiology I (3 Sem/4 Qtr credit hours) and Anatomy and Physiology II (3 Sem/4 Qtr credit hours).

The Doctor of Optometry degree program is rigorous and challenging. The Admissions Committee will therefore assess the quality and rigor of the pre-optometry academic records presented by applicants. When assessing an application, the Admissions Committee will view with concern applicants with:

1. Cumulative and science grade point averages below 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
2. Admission test scores below the mean for each exam
3. Prerequisite science coursework completed more than 10 years ago. More recent (within five years) math and science coursework is preferred.