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Prospective Students

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

Request Information
  • About Optometry
  • Admissions
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      • Prerequisite Courses
      • Recommended Pre-Optometry Course Sequence
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Current Students

Students are at the heart of our mission.

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      • The Eye Center at SCO Pediatric Optometry, with Emphasis in Vision Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation
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Alumni

Get involved in our thriving alumni community.

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About SCO

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

Our Campus
  • Who We Are
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Milestone Events

Take time to recognize these significant achievements.

Event Schedule
  • Heart of America
  • SECO
  • Spring CE Weekend
  • Commencement
    • Celebrating the Class of 2020
    • SCO’s 35th Annual Senior Awards Ceremony Program
    • Honor a Member of the Class of 2020 with a Gift Today!
    • 2020 Legacy Graduates
  • 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
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Academic Information

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A candidate for admission to Southern College of Optometry is required to present at least three years of undergraduate work that includes a minimum of 90 semester or 135 quarter hours.  A minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours must be completed at a four-year college or university. The following courses or their equivalents must be completed prior to enrollment to optometry school at SCO. Please note that prerequisites do not have to be completed in order to apply or to be offered tentative acceptance. However, they must be completed prior to enrollment.

See Prerequisite Courses

Preference will be given to applicants with baccalaureate or higher degrees. All applicants must be in good academic standing.


Science Courses

Because the science prerequisite courses provide a significant foundation for the Southern College of Optometry curriculum, as well as the OAT, students who have not been enrolled in any science courses—or as a full-time student—for two years or longer are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office to discuss their situation.


Online Courses

The college accepts credits for prerequisites that are completed online as long as the courses are offered by a regionally accredited college or university. However, it is recommended that all science prerequisites be completed in a classroom setting.

If an applicant must take an online science course, it is strongly recommended that the laboratory component be in a physical lab and not a virtual lab. Please contact the Admissions Office with questions as to whether an online course is an advisable option.


AP/CLEP Courses

Advanced Placement (AP) and/or CLEP credit is acceptable if documentation is provided on the undergraduate transcript or through official score reports. However, the admissions committee may recommend/require additional science coursework covering the AP or CLEP credit based upon overall academic performance and/or OAT scores. Please contact the Admissions Office if you have questions regarding AP or CLEP credits.


Hear from an SCO student about optometry school: 

Academic Information

  • Prerequisite Courses
  • Recommended Pre-Optometry Course Sequence
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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

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