• Admissions
  • Placement
  • Contact
  • Give
  • Our Clinics
  • COVID-19 Updates
  • Home
  • Prospective Students
    • About Optometry
    • Admissions
      • Academic Information
        • Prerequisite Courses
        • Recommended Pre-Optometry Course Sequence
      • Deadlines
      • How to Apply
        • State Residency Certification
      • International Students
      • Become a Competitive Applicant
    • Events for Prospective Students
      • Eye on Success (College Program)
    • Get to Know SCO
      • FAQS
      • College Catalog
      • Curriculum
      • Interactive Tour
      • Student/Graduate Achievement
      • Quick Facts
    • Online Information Sessions
    • Scholarships and Financial Aid
      • Scholarship Opportunities
      • Student Debt Calculator
    • SCO Visits Your Campus
    • Student Life
      • Living in Memphis
      • Student Life Blogs
      • Student Organizations
        • Student Ambassadors
      • Student Testimonials
    • Tuition and Fees
      • Tuition Deposit
    • Why SCO?
      • ASCO Profile
      • Choosing an Optometry School
      • National Board Passage Rates
      • Profile of Entering Class
      • Residencies
      • The Eye Center
        • Video Tour of The Eye Center
    • Contact Student Services
      • Enrollment Services
      • Counseling Services
    • Request Information
    • Visit SCO
      • Transportation Options
      • Interactive Tour
  • Current Students
    • Official Academic Calendar
    • Externship Program
    • Financial Aid
      • Applying for Financial Aid
      • Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)
      • Financial Aid Deadlines
      • Financial Aid FAQS
      • Financial Aid Handbook
      • Financial Aid for International Students
      • Financial Aid Resources
        • Debt Calculator
        • Glossary of Basic Loan Terms
        • Scholarship Search Sites
        • Standard Student Budget
      • Types of Financial Aid
      • Scholarships
    • Hayes Center for Practice Excellence
      • Placement Service
        • Placement Service Registration
      • Practice of Excellence Award
      • Summer Shadowing Contest
      • Resources
    • Residency Programs
      • Admission to Residency Programs
      • Online Residency Application
      • Our Residency Programs
        • Appelbaum Eye Care Associates, PC
        • Bond-Wroten Eye Clinic
        • Bowersox Vision Center, PSC
        • Child and Family Eye Care
        • Children's Hospital Colorado
        • Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, Inc.
        • Draisin Vision Group
        • Duke University
        • Eye Specialty Group/Southern College of Optometry
        • Eyecare Professionals, P.C.
        • Family Eyecare Associates, P.C.
        • Gainesville Eye Associates
        • Georgia Eye Partners
        • Greenville VA Outpatient Clinic
        • James H. Quillen VA Medical Center
        • Louisiana Family Eyecare
        • Memphis VA Medical Center
        • Moyes Eye Center
        • Neuro-Vision Associates of North Texas
        • Ochsner Clinic
        • Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
        • Paul Vision Institute
        • Salem VA Medical Center
        • SouthEast Eye Specialists
        • SCO, Residency in Vision Rehab, with Emphasis in Low Vision Rehab and Ocular Disease
        • SCO, Residency in Vision Rehabilitation, with Emphasis in Brain Injury Rehabilitation
        • The Eye Center at SCO Pediatric Optometry, with Emphasis in Vision Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation
        • The Eye Center Primary Care Optometry, w Emphasis in Family Practice Optometry and Ocular Disease
        • The Eye Center at SCO & Christian Brothers University
        • Toyos Clinic
        • W. G. Hefner VA Medical Center
        • WJB Dorn VA Medical Center
        • Woolfson Eye Institute
        • Wow Vision Therapy
      • 2021-22 SCO Residency Programs (PDF)
    • Student Handbook
    • Student Organizations
      • Ambassadors
    • Student Resources
      • Tech Support
        • ExamSoft
        • IRIS
        • Panopto
        • Moodle
      • Communications
      • Counseling Services
      • Credential Request
      • Disabilities Services
      • Enrollment Services
      • Library
      • Student Webmail
      • Curriculum Hours Verification
      • Security
      • Transcript Request
    • Meet Our Faculty
    • Summer Research Fellowship
  • Alumni
    • Give to SCO
      • Give Now
      • Planned Giving
      • 200 Strong
      • Tribute Gifts
      • Donor Impact
    • Alumni Achievement Awards
    • Alumni News
    • Alumni Services
      • Alumni Email
      • Credential Request
      • Curriculum Hours Verification
      • Transcript Request
      • Placement Service
    • Continuing Education
      • Online CE Course Library
        • Online CE Instructors
        • Online CE Library Financial Disclosures
      • Upcoming Events
    • EYE See You Pins
      • EYE See You—Support this Program
    • Hayes Center for Practice Excellence
    • SCOnline Alumni Newsletter
    • Visions Alumni Magazine
  • About SCO
    • Who We Are
      • Mission Statement
      • Department Directory
      • Leadership
        • Board of Trustees Bios
        • President
        • Organization Chart
      • Our Clinics
      • Community Engagement & Outreach
      • Strategic Plan
        • Strategic Plan Booklet
      • Student/Graduate Achievement
        • Retention and Graduation Rates
        • NBEO Passage Rates
        • Career Placement and Residency Rates
      • Graduate Attributes
      • Consumer Information
        • Licensure Disclosure
    • Accreditation
      • Compliance & Security
    • Campus Store
    • Contact Us
      • Records Requests
        • Credential Request
        • Curriculum Hours Verification
        • Transcript Request
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Event Calendar
    • Honorary Degrees
    • Human Resources
      • Career Opportunities
      • Faculty/Staff Resources
        • ADP
        • Counseling Services
        • Faculty/Staff Webmail
      • Live Local
    • Library
      • Catalog Search
      • Diversity/LGBTQ+ Resources
      • Resources
      • Library Collections &Services
      • Library Staff
      • Library Hours
    • Meet Our Faculty
    • Our Campus
      • Activity Center
      • Campus Security
      • Environmental Policy
      • Learning Resource Center
      • Hours of Operation
    • Photo Gallery
    • Research
      • Research at SCO
      • Research Faculty
      • Summer Research Fellowship
      • Posters
    • SCO News
      • COVID-19
        • Testing Instructions
        • Student, Extern, and Resident COVID-19 Resources
        • COVID-19 Resources for Practicing ODs
        • COVID-19 Virtual Event Listings
        • SCO COVID-19 News & Updates
    • Title IX
    • Values
    • Visit SCO
      • Transportation Options
      • Interactive Tour
  • Milestone Events
    • Heart of America
    • SECO
    • Spring CE Weekend
    • Commencement
      • Candidates for Honorary Degrees and Special Recognition
      • Family & Guest Events
      • Gamma Omicron Diploma Framing
      • Hotel Information
      • Student Schedule
      • Graduation Tribute
      • Commencement Livestream
    • 50-Year-Class Reunion
    • Residents' Weekend
    • AOA - Optometry's Meeting
    • Orientation
      • Orientation Schedule
      • Important Information and Links
      • Moving Services
      • Student Organizations
      • Class of 2024 IRIS
      • COVID-19 Testing
      • Welcome to SCO & Memphis
    • White Coat Ceremony
      • Student Instructions
      • SCO Memorabilia
      • Student Optometric Oath
    • Homecoming
      • Class of 1980
      • Class of 1990
      • Class of 1995
      • Class of 2000
      • Class of 2010
      • Class of 2015
    • Convocation
      • Convocation 2020 Program
      • Convocation 2020 Program for Mobile Devices
    • American Academy of Optometry
Apply
Southern College of Optometry logo
  • Admissions
  • Placement
  • Contact
  • Give
  • Our Clinics
  • COVID-19 Updates
  • Prospective Students
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • About SCO
  • Milestone Events
Apply

Prospective Students

Like any endeavor worth pursuing in life, it takes careful preparation to become an optometrist.

Request Information
  • About Optometry
  • Admissions
    • Academic Information
      • Prerequisite Courses
      • Recommended Pre-Optometry Course Sequence
    • Deadlines
    • How to Apply
      • State Residency Certification
    • International Students
    • Become a Competitive Applicant
  • Events for Prospective Students
    • Eye on Success (College Program)
  • Get to Know SCO
    • FAQS
    • College Catalog
    • Curriculum
    • Interactive Tour
    • Student/Graduate Achievement
    • Quick Facts
  • Online Information Sessions
  • Scholarships and Financial Aid
    • Scholarship Opportunities
    • Student Debt Calculator
  • SCO Visits Your Campus
  • Student Life
    • Living in Memphis
    • Student Life Blogs
    • Student Organizations
      • Student Ambassadors
    • Student Testimonials
  • Tuition and Fees
    • Tuition Deposit
  • Why SCO?
    • ASCO Profile
    • Choosing an Optometry School
    • National Board Passage Rates
    • Profile of Entering Class
    • Residencies
    • The Eye Center
      • Video Tour of The Eye Center
  • Contact Student Services
    • Enrollment Services
    • Counseling Services
  • Request Information
  • Visit SCO
    • Transportation Options
    • Interactive Tour

Current Students

Students are at the heart of our mission.

Student Resources
  • Official Academic Calendar
  • Externship Program
  • Financial Aid
    • Applying for Financial Aid
    • Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)
    • Financial Aid Deadlines
    • Financial Aid FAQS
    • Financial Aid Handbook
    • Financial Aid for International Students
    • Financial Aid Resources
      • Debt Calculator
      • Glossary of Basic Loan Terms
      • Scholarship Search Sites
      • Standard Student Budget
    • Types of Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
  • Hayes Center for Practice Excellence
    • Placement Service
      • Placement Service Registration
    • Practice of Excellence Award
    • Summer Shadowing Contest
    • Resources
  • Residency Programs
    • Admission to Residency Programs
    • Online Residency Application
    • Our Residency Programs
      • Appelbaum Eye Care Associates, PC
      • Bond-Wroten Eye Clinic
      • Bowersox Vision Center, PSC
      • Child and Family Eye Care
      • Children's Hospital Colorado
      • Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, Inc.
      • Draisin Vision Group
      • Duke University
      • Eye Specialty Group/Southern College of Optometry
      • Eyecare Professionals, P.C.
      • Family Eyecare Associates, P.C.
      • Gainesville Eye Associates
      • Georgia Eye Partners
      • Greenville VA Outpatient Clinic
      • James H. Quillen VA Medical Center
      • Louisiana Family Eyecare
      • Memphis VA Medical Center
      • Moyes Eye Center
      • Neuro-Vision Associates of North Texas
      • Ochsner Clinic
      • Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
      • Paul Vision Institute
      • Salem VA Medical Center
      • SouthEast Eye Specialists
      • SCO, Residency in Vision Rehab, with Emphasis in Low Vision Rehab and Ocular Disease
      • SCO, Residency in Vision Rehabilitation, with Emphasis in Brain Injury Rehabilitation
      • The Eye Center at SCO Pediatric Optometry, with Emphasis in Vision Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation
      • The Eye Center Primary Care Optometry, w Emphasis in Family Practice Optometry and Ocular Disease
      • The Eye Center at SCO & Christian Brothers University
      • Toyos Clinic
      • W. G. Hefner VA Medical Center
      • WJB Dorn VA Medical Center
      • Woolfson Eye Institute
      • Wow Vision Therapy
    • 2021-22 SCO Residency Programs (PDF)
  • Student Handbook
  • Student Organizations
    • Ambassadors
  • Student Resources
    • Tech Support
      • ExamSoft
      • IRIS
      • Panopto
      • Moodle
    • Communications
    • Counseling Services
    • Credential Request
    • Disabilities Services
    • Enrollment Services
    • Library
    • Student Webmail
    • Curriculum Hours Verification
    • Security
    • Transcript Request
  • Meet Our Faculty
  • Summer Research Fellowship

Alumni

Get involved in our thriving alumni community.

Alumni Services
  • Give to SCO
    • Give Now
    • Planned Giving
    • 200 Strong
    • Tribute Gifts
    • Donor Impact
  • Alumni Achievement Awards
  • Alumni News
  • Alumni Services
    • Alumni Email
    • Credential Request
    • Curriculum Hours Verification
    • Transcript Request
    • Placement Service
  • Continuing Education
    • Online CE Course Library
      • Online CE Instructors
      • Online CE Library Financial Disclosures
    • Upcoming Events
  • EYE See You Pins
    • EYE See You—Support this Program
  • Hayes Center for Practice Excellence
  • SCOnline Alumni Newsletter
  • Visions Alumni Magazine

About SCO

SCO is one of the nation's leading optometry schools.

Our Campus
  • Who We Are
    • Mission Statement
    • Department Directory
    • Leadership
      • Board of Trustees Bios
      • President
      • Organization Chart
    • Our Clinics
    • Community Engagement & Outreach
    • Strategic Plan
      • Strategic Plan Booklet
    • Student/Graduate Achievement
      • Retention and Graduation Rates
      • NBEO Passage Rates
      • Career Placement and Residency Rates
    • Graduate Attributes
    • Consumer Information
      • Licensure Disclosure
  • Accreditation
    • Compliance & Security
  • Campus Store
  • Contact Us
    • Records Requests
      • Credential Request
      • Curriculum Hours Verification
      • Transcript Request
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Event Calendar
  • Honorary Degrees
  • Human Resources
    • Career Opportunities
    • Faculty/Staff Resources
      • ADP
      • Counseling Services
      • Faculty/Staff Webmail
    • Live Local
  • Library
    • Catalog Search
    • Diversity/LGBTQ+ Resources
    • Resources
    • Library Collections &Services
    • Library Staff
    • Library Hours
  • Meet Our Faculty
  • Our Campus
    • Activity Center
    • Campus Security
    • Environmental Policy
    • Learning Resource Center
    • Hours of Operation
  • Photo Gallery
  • Research
    • Research at SCO
    • Research Faculty
    • Summer Research Fellowship
    • Posters
  • SCO News
    • COVID-19
      • Testing Instructions
      • Student, Extern, and Resident COVID-19 Resources
      • COVID-19 Resources for Practicing ODs
      • COVID-19 Virtual Event Listings
      • SCO COVID-19 News & Updates
  • Title IX
  • Values
  • Visit SCO
    • Transportation Options
    • Interactive Tour

Milestone Events

Take time to recognize these significant achievements.

Event Schedule
  • Heart of America
  • SECO
  • Spring CE Weekend
  • Commencement
    • Candidates for Honorary Degrees and Special Recognition
    • Family & Guest Events
    • Gamma Omicron Diploma Framing
    • Hotel Information
    • Student Schedule
    • Graduation Tribute
    • Commencement Livestream
  • 50-Year-Class Reunion
  • Residents' Weekend
  • AOA - Optometry's Meeting
  • Orientation
    • Orientation Schedule
    • Important Information and Links
    • Moving Services
    • Student Organizations
    • Class of 2024 IRIS
    • COVID-19 Testing
    • Welcome to SCO & Memphis
  • White Coat Ceremony
    • Student Instructions
    • SCO Memorabilia
    • Student Optometric Oath
  • Homecoming
    • Class of 1980
    • Class of 1990
    • Class of 1995
    • Class of 2000
    • Class of 2010
    • Class of 2015
  • Convocation
    • Convocation 2020 Program
    • Convocation 2020 Program for Mobile Devices
  • American Academy of Optometry
What's Next?
Get Info
Tour
Give

Enter a search request and press enter. Press Esc or the X to close.

Close
Glasses frames

A perfect vision
for your future:

There's a reason that so many prospective students choose to apply to SCO each year.

Apply Now
Southern College of Optometry building
Admissions

Optometry is an Investment as Your Future Career

When you apply to SCO, you’ve chosen one of the nation’s leading optometry schools—alma mater to 14 American Optometric Association Presidents and nearly 90 years of graduating the best clinicians in the field.

Start Here
Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN
Stats

Southern College of Optometry by the Numbers

SCO’s numbers reflect the strength of our optometry school and the top qualified students we recruit. From our low student/faculty ratio to the number of patient encounters our interns experience by their graduation, the facts speak for themselves as to why SCO is a leading choice for optometry students across the nation.

Why SCO?
optometry students phoropter

98%

ultimate board passage rate

32

residency programs with 57 residency slots – more than any optometry school in the country

55575

square ft clinic, the largest single-specialty health care facility of its kind in North America

9:1

student/faculty ratio

60+

endowed scholarships awarded to each entering class

24

consecutive years of 0% default rate on student loans

3

patient care clinics SCO operates in Memphis

2600

patient encounters by graduation (including externships)

Testimonials

Hear from the Students

All Testimonials
Video testimonial cover image
Class of 2021
Lauren Watson
Video testimonial cover image
Class of 2021
Tim Szu
Video testimonial cover image
Class of 2022
Kami Badger
Video testimonial cover image
Class of 2023
Kalen Thompson
Let's Talk

See Your Future in 20/20

SCO actively pursues opportunities that help our patients see better and our students learn at the same time. We would love to share more with you about the many reasons optometry is a rewarding healthcare profession where you will make a difference as a primary eyecare provider.

Request Information
optometrist conducting an eye exam
Taking notes
News

The Latest from SCO

  • SCO Students Find New Ways to Connect and Support Each Other 2/23/21
    SCO Student Allison Wirt, ’22, writes about the changes our students have faced over the last year At this point, it’s a cliche to say that everything has changed. At SCO, thin...
  • SCO Announces Candidates for Honorary Degrees and Special Recognition 4/8/21
    Memphis Mayor  Jim Strickland  and  Joyce L. Urbeck  have been selected as recipients of honorary degrees at SCO's commencement ceremony on May 4, 2021. Mayor Strickland is cu...
  • Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Janna Smith 3/15/21
    Janna Smith, OD '00 Where do you currently live? Dickson, TN What is your greatest professional accomplishment or patient care success story? During my 20+ years after graduating,...
Picture of Memphis Skyline

See all that Memphis has to offer you

Get to Know Memphis
Southern College of Optometry logo

Southern College of Optometry

1245 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 722-3200

The Eye Center

1225 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 722-3250

Resources

Webmail
Give
Admissions

Southern College of Optometry © 2021 Sitemap Privacy Policy Memphis Web Design by Speak
loading