Pre-Optometry Program, St. Louis

PRE-OPTOMETRY

PRE-OPTOMETRY

PRE-OPTOMETRY

A Solid Foundation
for Optometry School
and Your Career.

A Solid Foundation for Optometry School
and Your Career.

Optometry is a satisfying career that will always be in demand. Maryville offers the necessary steps to begin your academic path toward becoming an optometrist.

Optometrists have the satisfaction of helping their patients care for the most highly valued sense—sight. Maryville University’s undergraduate Pre-Optometry program provides you with all the optometry school requirements you’ll need.

In this program, you’ll be advised by the Pre-Health Professions advisor and a Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee, which offers information on colleges and careers, admissions requirements, opportunities to conduct undergraduate research and assistance in identifying job shadowing and volunteer opportunities.

Through our 3+4 partnership program, when you graduate from Maryville University you can enroll at the University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Optometry, and get a head start on your career.

 

STUDENT DISCUSSES PRE-OPTOMETRY

ALUMNI TESTIMONIAL

WHY MARYVILLE

OUR PARTNER PROGRAM MEANS EARLY ACCEPTANCE TO OPTOMETRY SCHOOL

At Maryville, you can major in biology or biochemistry or choose from other science programs, and then move right into your optometry training in our partner program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The collaboration, called the 3+4 Program, allows qualified students to complete a Bachelor’s and a Doctor of Optometry in seven years instead of the usual eight.

save time

Jump Start Your Career

Shorten the time to complete your Bachelor’s and Doctor of Optometry by one year.

Lower Tuition

Save time and Money

The 3+3 program allows students to save a year of tuition and time towards degree completion.

eye on future

Eyes on the Future

Get a solid educational foundation and choose from a wide variety of externships to help you grow professionally.

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

Biology student interns at Missouri Botanical Gardens

A biochemistry major kept his eyes and mind open, and he was rewarded with an exciting, emergency research opportunity with the Missouri Botanical Garden.

PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

student learning about being an optometrist

Throughout Maryville’s partnership with UMSL, you’ll be well-prepared for your future optometry training. Our science programs collaborate with many leading-edge research companies in the St. Louis region, including:

• Danforth Plant Science Center
Missouri Botanical Garden
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Mallinckrodt
• Monsanto
• Pfizer

STUDENT DISCUSSES PRE-OPTOMETRY

 

ALUMNI TESTIMONIAL

 

WHY MARYVILLE

 

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission - HLC
Kiplingers Best College Values Private 2018
Ranked among the best values in private collegesKiplinger’s Personal Finance
Forbes Americas Top Colleges
Ranked among "America’s Top Colleges" — Forbes
Military Friendly School
Best For Vets

THE BIG PICTURE

The field of optometry is growing, and optometrist salaries grow with education and experience. Students who prepare early are more competitive when it comes to choice jobs.

SALARY

TOP 10%

$188,160

MEDIAN

$111,790


JOB GROWTH

18%

ESTIMATED

through 2026

7,200 NEW JOBS THROUGH 2026


LARGEST EMPLOYERS

in this field:

54
%
OPTOMETRIST OFFICE
16
%
PHYSICIANS OFFICE
14
%
HEALTH STORES
  8
%
SELF-EMPLOYED

*Data on this page provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

*Data on this page provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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To get the edge in your optometry career, join the Pre-Optometry program at Maryville University.
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