College of Optometry

College of Optometry Home Page

This section contains an abbreviated version of the College of Optometry Bulletin. Some information is omitted.

For the most complete and accurate information regarding the Optometry program at UMSL, please go to the College of Optometry Home Page.

The College of Optometry Bulletin

Administration and Faculty

Larry J. Davis, Associate Professor and Dean
O.D., Indiana University; Residency, Contact Lenses, University of Missouri­St. Louis
Jerry L. Christensen, Professor Emeritus and Dean Emeritus,
O.D., Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Vinita A. Henry, Clinical Professor and Director, Clinical Operations; Director, Residency Programs; Co-Chief Contact Lens Service and Program Coordinator for Residency, Contact Lenses;
O.D., Residency, Contact Lenses, University of Missouri­St. Louis
Raymond I. Myers, Clinical Professor
O.D., Indiana University
Carol K. Peck, Professor Emeritus
Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California­Los Angeles
Timothy A. Wingert, Professor, Chief of Third-year Primary Care Service
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
William G. Bachman, Associate Professor
M.S., University of Alabama­Birmingham, O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Carl J. Bassi, Associate Professor; Director of Research and Graduate Studies,
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Southern California, Doheny Eye Institute
Edward S. Bennett, Associate Professor; Assistant Dean for Student Services and Alumni Relations; Co­Chief, Contact Lens Service,
M.S.Ed., O.D., Indiana University­Bloomington
Ralph P. Garzia, Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Academic and Clinical Programs;
O.D., Residency, Pediatric Optometry, Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Thomas Landgraf, Clinical Associate Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
Residency, Primary Care, Pennsylvania College of Optometry
William F. Long, Associate Professor Emeritus, Ph.D., Michigan State University
O.D. Indiana University
W. Howard McAlister, Associate Professor
M.A., Webster College, M.P.H., University of Illinois at the Health Sciences Center ­ Chicago,
O.D., The Ohio State University
Gerald A. Franzel, Associate Clinical Professor; Associate Dean for the Division of Continuing Education
O.D., University of Houston
Kathleen Boland, Assistant Clinical Professor, Director, Harvester Eye Center 
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
John Crane, Assistant Clinical Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Julie Ott DeKinder, Assistant Clinical Professor and Coordinator, Emergency Eye Services; Program Coordinator for Residency, Contact Lenses. O.D., Northeastern State University; Residency, Cornea and Contact Lens, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Aaron S. Franzel, Assistant Clinical Professor, Chief Pediatric/Binocular Vision Service, Pediatrics; Program Coordinator for Residency, Binocular Vision
O.D., University of Missouri­St. Louis
Christine Garhart, Assistant Teaching Professor
D.V.M., Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia, Case Western Reserve University
Alexander J. Harris, Assistant Clinical Professor, Director of Externship Programs and Minority Affairs Advisor,
M.A., Washington University, O.D., University of Missouri­St. Louis
Edward Jarka, Assistant Clinical Professor; Coordinator, Eye Health Management Services 
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry; M.S., Western Illinois University
Guoqiang Li, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Linda Marks, Assistant Clinical Professor
O.D., Ferris State University: Residency, Pediatric Optometry, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Angel Novel, Assistant Clinical Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis: Residency, Ocular Disease/Primary Care, Hudson Valley VA Health Care System, Montrose NY
Snyder, Pamela; Assistant Clinical Professor,
O.D., Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University
Erwin Wong, Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern California College of Optometry; Ph.D., University of Houston Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Berkeley, and Washington University

On-Campus Adjunct Faculty:

Jeffrey L. Weaver, Adjunct Professor
M.S., The Ohio State University, M.B.A., Drury College; O.D., Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Residency, Family Practice, The Ohio State University
Lee J. Browning, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis, Residency, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK
Brian Brunig, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Raneat Cohen, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D.,  Indiana University; Residency, Ocular Disease, Dayton VA Medical Center
Jamal Fox, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Christine Gavett, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Chris Gilmartin, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Contact Lens Residency, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Beth A. Henderson, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., The Ohio State University
Julie Hutchinson, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Primary Care/Geriatrics Residency
Chantel Jacques, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., NOVA University
Eric Polk, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Mary Beth Rhomberg, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Joseph Venverloh, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Houston, M.S. University of Houston
Gary Vogel, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Ohio State University
Deborah Iadevito, Specialist
M.Ed., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Thomas LaRosa, Specialist
M.Ed., University of Missouri-St. Louis

Off-Campus Adjunct Faculty

Joseph H. Maino, Adjunct Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry;
Residency, Rehabilitative Optometry, VA Medical Center, Kansas City
Sean Mulqueeny, Adjunct Associate Professor
O.D., University of Missouri­St. Louis
Richard Wilson, Adjunct Associate Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Paul Ajamian, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., New England College of Optometry
Levent Akduman, Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.D., Hace Hepe, University of Turkey
Mary Bigelow, Adjunct Assistant Professor,
OD, Indiana University,
Residency in Hospital-Based Optometry Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas
Janet Boschart, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry,
Residency, Primary Care, Northeastern State University
Shana Brafman, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry,
Residency, Cornea and Contact Lens, Illinois College of Optometry
Robert Brusatti, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri­St. Louis
Carmen Castellano, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
Walter Choate, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Nicholas Colatrella, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Elsie Corgiat, Adjunt Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
Kara Crumblis, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry,
Residency, Low vision Rehabilitation and Ocular Disease, Illinois College of Optometry
Sara Crussana, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., New England College of Optometry
Michelle Dent, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., V.A. Wichita, Kansas
Anthony Dewilde, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis, Residency, Hospital Based/Rehabilitative, Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Daniel Dillinger, Adjunct Assistant Professor  
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Stephanie Erker, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Laura Evans, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Robert Feibel, Adjunct Assistant Professor
MD, Harvard Medical School, Resident in Opthalmology Barnes Hospital St. Louis, MO
John Galanis, Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.D., St. Louis University
John M. Garber, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Kevin Greuloch, Adjunct Assistant Professor,
MD, University of Michigan Medical School, Ophthalmology
Residency University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL
Kristin Ham, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Steven J. Grondalski, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Timothy Harkins, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern California College of Optometry
Steven Hill, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
James Hoekel, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
James Hollman, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Kristen Jaloszynski, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., SUNY College of Optometry
Residency, Ocular Disease/Low Vision Rehabilitation, Kansas City Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center
Mark Johnson, Adjunct Assistant Professor
PHD Vision Sciences, The City University, London UK
Marla Kennard, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Kamey Kapp, Adjunct Assistant Professor  
O.D., Pacific University College of Optometry
Deborah Kerber, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri­St. Louis
Sean Knaak, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Indiana University School of Optometry
Residency, Hospital Based Rehabilitative Optometry, Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Harry Knopf, Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.D., Harvard Medical School
Dana Krause, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Allison LaFata, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., SUNY State College of Optometry,
Residency, Ocular Disease, Omni Eye Services, NJ and Omni Eye Surgery, NY
Greg Leet, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., UAB School of Optometry
Linda Lucas, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Indiana University School of Optometry
Michael Lachtrup, Adjunct Assistant Professsor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Katherine Mastrata, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., SUNY College of Optometry
Tracy Matchinski, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry,
Residency, Vision Rehabilitation, Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Laura Mullen (Kitzhoffer), Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Pennsylvania college of Optometry,
Residency, Ocular Disease, Omni Eye Services
Jeffrey Newsom, Adjunct Assistant Professor
OD, Southern College of Optometry
Arraya Paksin-Hall, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Residency, Ocular Disease, Harry S. Truman Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Columbia, MO; Residency, Primary Care, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine
Jay Pepose, Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.D., Ph.D., University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine
Carly Phillips, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Thomas I. Porter, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Mujtaba Qazi, Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.D. New York University School of Medicine
James Rieger, Adjunct Assistant Professor   
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Alfred Rosenbloom, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois college of Optometry
Byron A. Santos, Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.D., University of San Carlos
Katherine Sanford, Adjunct Assistant Professor
OD, Southern College of Optometry,
Residency in Primary Care, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Memphis TN
Howard Short, Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.D., St. Louis University, Residency, Ophthalmology, Duke University
Craig Sorce, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri­St. Louis
Amy Sullivan, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry 
John Sullivan, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
Kory Thoma, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Claude Valenti, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D. University of Pennsylvania
George Veliky, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., New England College of Optometry,
Residency, Ocular Disease, Omni Eye Services
John Volosin, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry, Tahlequah, OK 
Michael White, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D.,  Southern College of Optometry, Hospital Based Primary Care Residency, VA  
Paul Whitten, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Carrie Williams, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
James Williamson, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry, Residency, Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Melissa Wisniewski, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Jack Yager, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Ohio State University
Dwayne Young, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Indiana University

General Information

The UMSL College of Optometry enrolled its first class in 1980, graduating 32 students in May 1984. The College is located on the South Campus complex of the University of Missouri-St Louis at 7800 Natural Bridge Road. A five-story building houses the College’s classrooms, laboratories, research facilities, administrative offices, library, and the Center for Eye Care campus facility (the University Eye Center).

The College of Optometry is a member of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) and is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometry Education (ACOE).

The Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) Degree

A student who satisfactorily completes all four years of the professional curriculum will be eligible to receive the Doctor of Optometry degree. The training and clinical experience optometry students receive at UMSL qualifies graduates to practice optometry in any state in the nation.

Center for Eye Care

The Center for Eye Care provides a patient care environment for upper level optometry students and post-doctoral residents. The Center for Eye Care includes four locations: the University Eye Center on the UMSL South Campus, the Optometric Center in the Central West End of the city of St. Louis, the East St. Louis Eye Center on the campus of East St. Louis Community College, and Harvester Eye Center in St. Charles, MO. These and other affiliated health centers in the St. Louis area provide an instructional setting where student interns are exposed to a wide variety of patients under the direct supervision of College of Optometry faculty. Equally important is that these Centers provide exemplary, comprehensive and state-of-the-art optometric care to their patients.

The Centers provide a full range of optometric services including adult primary eye care, contact lens, pediatrics, binocular vision, low vision, and eye health management. Specialized testing of color vision and electrophysiology are also available.

Situated in Missouri's largest metropolitan area, the College of Optometry enjoys the region's strong community and professional support. The urban setting offers many opportunities for outreach programs, expanding the scope of optometric education and making possible a highly diverse programs of clinical training. Another asset of the College is its proximity to the national headquarters of the American Optometric Association, located just a few miles from campus.

The curriculum leading to the doctor of optometry degree is a four‑year, full‑time program of study. The first year of the professional curriculum emphasizes basic and biomedical sciences and introduces students to optics of the visual system. The second year pertains to vision science and instruction in clinical examination techniques. The third year emphasizes patient care and introduces the student to specialty areas within optometry, such as contact lenses, pediatrics and geriatric vision care, binocular vision and vision therapy, and low vision rehabilitation. The second and third years also include course work and clinical instruction in ocular disease and pharmacology. The fourth year includes six rotations through the externship program, giving the student added experience in the management of eye diseases, as well as valuable experience in other optometric clinical specialties.

Fourth-Year Externship Program
In addition to the patient care experiences available through the University Eye Center, Optometric Center, the East St. Louis Center, and the Harvester Eye Center, the College of Optometry also has a diverse Externship Program. Students must receive approval from the faculty and the Director of Externships for assignments to each Externship site. This program allows fourth-year students to spend a portion of their final year of training in a variety of patient care environments (i.e., military bases, Veterans Administration Hospitals, Indian Health Services Hospitals, various specialty practices and private practices).

These eight (8) week externships are selected and scheduled with consideration given to the individual student’s interest, needs and future practice intentions. Externship Rotations are located at a number of domestic and international sites. In this program, students leave the academic environment and begin working with selected eye care professionals while continuing to be monitored by the faculty through bi-weekly reports of patient encounters, therapies, and activities. The externship rotations are designed to give students exposure in the following areas:

Pediatric/Binocular Vision Patient Care
Contact Lens Patient Care
Low Vision Patient Care
General (Primary Optometric) Patient Care
Refractive Management Patient Care
Eye Health Management Patient Care
Geriatric Patient Care
Sports Vision Patient Care
Optometric Rehabilitation Patient Care

Student Organizations & Activities
All optometry students enrolled in the University of Missouri­St. Louis College of Optometry are eligible for membership in the various student optometric associations, including The Missouri Optometric Student Association (MOSA) and The American Optometric Student Association (AOSA). Through these organizations, and many others, students become involved in local and national optometric activities. The organizations provide an environment for the cultivation of professional leadership skills, and members have organized and participated in a variety of community service activities, including community health screenings and vision care to residents of nursing homes, convalescent hospitals, and mental institutions. Furthermore, optometry students have formed local chapters of Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH), an international organization of optometrists providing free vision care to people in impoverished nations, and the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA), which strives to recruit minority students into optometry and encourages retention of minority students.

In addition to the many activities through the College of Optometry, optometry students are able to take advantage of all the activities provided by the university to the entire university community. These include intramural sports, movies and cultural activities, a modern, fully‑equipped fitness center and gymnasium, and access to many social and cultural opportunities in St. Louis at reduced cost.

Pre-Optometry Programs
The University of Missouri-St. Louis offers a four-year program of study leading to the doctor of optometry degree; this professional degree is administered by the College of Optometry. It is one of only 20 currently accredited schools of optometry in the United States and the only one in the state of Missouri.  This program, as a result, makes UMSL an ideal institution for pre-optometry education.  Various programs are available for pre-optometry as noted below.

Students may pursue a traditional 4 + 4 program, which is a bachelor’s degree followed by the four-year graduate optometry program.   In this case, students may pursue any bachelor’s degree, as long as the pre-optometry requirements are met in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, psychology and English. 

Alternatively, the Department of Biology, the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Department of Chemistry sponsor 3+4 Programs for the UMSL College of Optometry, for which a student may be admitted to the College of Optometry after completing three years (90 semester hours) of study in their respective majors and successful completion of the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). (See your specific department for undergraduate degree requirements.)

The Pierre Laclede Honors College and the College of Optometry also offer the Scholars Program, which allows a student to complete both the undergraduate and doctor of optometry degrees in seven years. To qualify for this program, a student must be a senior in high school; score a minimum composite of 27 on the ACT; and be accepted to the UMSL Pierre Laclede Honors College program. For more information about the Scholars Program, contact the Pierre Laclede Honors College, (314) 516-7769.

For the programs described above (Scholars or 3+4), the undergraduate degree is granted when the student satisfactorily completes the first year of the professional program and has met all of the conditions for the specific undergraduate degree for which the student has applied. 1) All general education requirements and all requirements for the biology or physics major, or other major, except electives, must be completed. 2) Any deficiency in required courses must be remedied with courses taken at UMSL within three years after entering the College of Optometry. 3) Up to 6 hours from the College of Optometry may be substituted for an undergraduate degree in Biology with approval of the Department of Biology. 4) Up to six hours is used to satisfy degree requirements in biology, and 14 hours in physics to complete the B.S. in Physics degree. For more information, contact the Department of Biology, (314) 516-6200 or the Department of Physics and Astronomy at (314) 516-5931.  The Department of Chemistry offers a similar program, and may require summer research in order to complete the degree requirements for a B.A. or B.S. in Chemistry. For more information, please contact the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at (314) 516-5311.

In some cases, students are admitted to the optometry program without a degree. 

Note: Math 1800, Analytical Geometry and Calculus I must be taken in the first semester for most 3+4 or Scholars Programs.

Admission Requirements

Semester:
English - 2
Biology (including laboratory)* - 3
Physics (including laboratory) - 2
Chemistry**
General (including laboratory) - 2
Organic (including laboratory) - 1
Mathematics ** *
Calculus - 1
Statistics - 1
Psychology - 2
Liberal Arts - 2

Quarter :
English - 3+
Biology (including laboratory)* - 4
Physics (including laboratory) - 3
Chemistry**
General (including laboratory) - 3
Organic (including laboratory) - 2
Mathematics ** *
Calculus - 1
Statistics - 1
Psychology - 2
Liberal Arts - 2+

*One semester (or one quarter) of Microbiology with laboratory is a requirement. One semester of Anatomy or Physiology is recommended.
+Courses may be taken and accepted for prerequisite course work AP (Advanced Placement) without a grade if the student receives a 320 or higher on the Reading Comprehensive section of the OAT examination (see below, Admission Test and has a GPA of 3.0.

**One semester of Biochemistry, Cell Biology or Human/Comparative Physiology is recommended.

***Trigonometry as a prerequisite course for Calculus must be completed, either in high school (official high school transcripts required as proof), or college.

The College of Optometry uses a rolling admissions process. All courses used to satisfy the admission requirements must have been taken at an institution fully accredited by one of the Department of Education regional accreditation bodies. Specific prerequisite courses must be taken for a letter grade; they cannot be taken as an audit or on a pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Applicants must have completed 90 semester or 135 quarter hours (the equivalent of three years of college education) before the start of classes. In order to process financial aid awards it is strongly recommended that students complete all prerequisite courses the spring prior to admission. The applicant cannot apply more than 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours which were earned at a two‑year institution toward the credit‑hour requirement. Applicants holding a bachelor's degree will be given preference over applicants with similar academic credentials who do not have a degree. Applicants to the college come from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds, such as biological sciences, chemistry, psychology, education, and business.

Admission Test
Students should work with their undergraduate advisors as well as their academic advisor in optometry, to insure that all pre-requisite courses are taken prior to taking the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), which is required prior to being offered an interview for consideration for admission to the College of Optometry.

All applicants are required to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). The OAT is now offered through computer sites. As the computerized version may be scheduled at any time, please plan to take the OAT by June of the year you plan to apply in order to be considered for early admission. Official test scores are acceptable for up to three years from the testing date.

Applicants are encouraged to take the examination by June of the year of application to the College of Optometry. If applicants wish to enhance their scores, the examination may be repeated. For OAT information, contact:

Optometry Admission Testing Program
211 East Chicago Ave.
Suite 1846
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440‑2693
http://www.opted.org
To apply to take the OAT, please click on the OAT link on www.opted.org (on right).

Application Procedures
The Admissions Committee begins to process applications on July 1 for the class entering the following year. An applicant's file will be considered complete and ready for consideration by the Admission Committee when the following material has been received:

*Asterisked items are processed by Centralized Application Service:

Please send directly to OptomCAS:

Students must release official Optometry Admission Test (OAT) results to UMSL.

Official transcripts must be mailed from every college attended, regardless of whether or not credit was earned., once an applicant has been offered admission and that applicant has accepted our offer of admission.

Letters of recommendation must be emailed or mailed directly to the Centralized Application Service center by the originator. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all application materials are received by the Centralized Application Service center by February 15 (International students: transcripts by December 15 year prior) to be considered for admission to the class entering in August of the same year. Facsimile (faxed) application material will be accepted or acknowledged. Application material received after February 15 will not be evaluated for the class entering in August of the same year. To be considered for merit scholarships, there is an early enrollment deadline. All materials must be received by January 5 in order to be considered for the early application deadline. Applications received after that time will still be considered for admission but not additional awards, e.g. merit scholarships, state seat contracts.”

International Students
International students whose native language is not English and who have spent less than two of the last three years in an English-speaking country are required to submit scores from an internationally accepted standardized examination before a decision is made on admission.

To complete their credential file, applicants are required to furnish original and official transcripts before December 15th the year prior to admission from each school and college attended both in this country and abroad. The Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. or the World Education Services must evaluate all foreign school and college transcripts and their evaluation submitted as part of the application requirement. For information contact:

Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc.
Post Office Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
(414) 289-3400
Fax: (414) 289-3411
E-mail: eval@ece.org
Web site: http://www.ece.org

World Education Services
P.O. Box 5087
New York, N.Y. 10274-5087
(212) 966-6311
Fax: (212) 939-6100
Email: info@wes.org

The University of Missouri-St. Louis maintains an Office of International Student Services to assist applicants who have been offered admission. All new international students are required to attend a formal orientation program before matriculation. For more information, contact:

University of Missouri-St. Louis
Office of International Student Services
One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121-4499
(314) 516-5229
iss@umsl.edu

Selection Procedures
Applications are reviewed beginning in August with interviews scheduled and initiated starting in September. The college uses a ‘rolling admissions’ process that allows qualified applicants to be admitted on an ongoing basis until the class is filled. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure full consideration for admission.

The Admissions Committee has the responsibility to review and evaluate all applicants and select the best qualified candidates. The committee considers: an applicant's overall grade point average, the grade point achieved in the sciences, any grade trends over the years in college, and the scores on the OAT. Concurrently, candidates are evaluated on less quantitative measures such as extracurricular activities and interests, related or unrelated work experience, written narrative, and letters of recommendation.

Those applicants whom the committee feels to be most competitive will be invited for an on-campus interview. The on-campus interview facilitates an assessment of the applicant's communication skills, interests, motivation, and personal characteristics. In addition, the on-campus interview allows the applicant to tour the facilities, meet with currently enrolled students, present questions regarding financial aid and housing, and learn more about the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the College of Optometry. From this group of interviewed applicants, the entering class of approximately 44 students will be selected.

The policies of the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the College of Optometry comply with the provisions under those laws that forbid discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or status as a Vietnam era veteran.

Admission Process
Notices of acceptance may be received as late as July of the year in which the students enter the program. If acceptance to the class is conditional, the terms of the condition must be completed prior to matriculation. Applicants who have indicated that degree requirements will be completed prior to matriculation, and who have been selected for admission, may receive a conditional offer of acceptance contingent upon completion of the degree.

Students offered admission have 15 days from the date on the offer of admission letter to make a required $200 acceptance deposit. The $200 deposit will be credited toward tuition when the student matriculates. The deposit is considered a non-refundable administration fee should the student not matriculate.

A certain number of applicants are placed on an alternate list. If an applicant who has been offered admission declines the offer, their position will be allocated to the next individual on the alternate list.

Notification of denial is sent by mail. Applicants who do not receive an offer of admission may reapply the following year through the Centralized Application Service.

Financial Aid
The University of Missouri-St. Louis maintains an Office of Student Financial Aid to assist students with the cost of their education.

Financial assistance is available in the form of loans, scholarships, and work-study. Funds for these programs are available from federal, private, state, and institutional resources. To apply for financial aid, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Preference will be given to those students who have completed the FAFSA by April 1. Preference means that the Student Financial Aid Office will begin awarding FWS (Federal College Work-Study), and maximum government allowable funding under subsidized loans. A completed financial aid application means that the Financial Aid Office has received an official Student Aid Report from the Federal Processing Center. Information about Federal loan programs and FAFSA are available at www.fafsa.ed.gov

The Student Financial Aid Office maintains a Web site at www.umsl.edu/services/finaid, where students will find useful information along with the ability to contact the office electronically via e-mail. Also included is a scholarship directory that is updated annually.

To be considered for all university scholarships offered through the Financial Aid Office, a student must be accepted for admission.

Many state optometric associations and their auxiliaries offer scholarships and grants. Application is generally made directly to the state association or auxiliary and selection is generally made on the basis of state residence and other criteria. Information may be obtained by writing to the various state optometric associations and/or auxiliaries.

The College of Optometry will provide additional information about scholarships and the college’ Handbook of Loans, Scholarships, Grants, and Awards to applicants after being admitted. Many of the College's scholarships are listed on the College Website.

Fees
Detailed information regarding current fees and residency regulations is furnished on the UMSL Cashier's website.

The university reserves the right to change fees and other charges at any time without advance notice.

Education Fees
All students enrolled in the University must pay educational fees based on either the schedule for Missouri residents or the schedule for non-residents. All optometry students will be required to pay the non-resident educational fee if they do not meet the University of Missouri residency requirements at the time of enrollment.

For current fees and costs, please check the fee section of the Cashier's Website and be certain to select appropriately optometry resident / nonresident.

A Summer Session is required between the third and fourth professional year.

Other Required Fees
All students are required to pay the following fees each semester: Information Technology Fee; Student Facility, Activity, and Health Fee; and, if needed, Parking Fee. Please refer to the Fees Section of the Cashier's website for current fees and caps on fees.

Student Health Insurance (optional)
An Accident and Sickness Insurance plan is available to students and their dependents. Information concerning premiums and coverage is available upon request from University Health Services or call (314) 516-5671. For students registered at UMSL College of Optometry, health insurance is available through the American Optometric Student Association.

Nonresident Students
Optometry students who do not meet the residency requirements must pay the nonresident educational fee according to the schedule above. A definition of "residency" is outlined in Tuition and Residency Rules, available in the cashier's office. (314-516-5151) Students are responsible for registering under the proper residence and paying the proper educational fees.

Currently, twelve nonresident positions for all four years are allocated by state reciprocal agreements for residents of Kansas. Individuals who are admitted under these agreements will pay reduced non-resident fees. To apply for this award, applicants must be certified as a bona fide Kansas resident and meet financial need (FAFSA).  Seats are not offered until after FAFSA data is available.  Additionally, Kansas residents accepting a seat are required to return to Kansas to practice following graduation or completion of a residency program.  For additional information, contact:

Kansas Board of Regents
Kansas Optometry Service Scholarship
1000 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 520
Topeka, KS 66612-1368
(785) 296-3518.
Kansas Board of Regents Website

The College of Optometry currently has a State contract agreement for residents of Nebraska (this is supported by and is at the funding discretion of the Nebraska State Legislature). This contract permits the College of Optometry to admit one eligible Nebraska resident in each entering class to receive the award. For detailed information about the contract and to be certified as a bona fide Nebraska resident, contact:

Dr. Richard Hoffman
University of Nebraska
3835 Holdrege
Lincoln, NE 68583
(402) 472-7115
University of Nebraska Website

Four-Year Professional Degree (O.D.) Curriculum

Curricular Outcomes

Entry Level Standards

Doctors of Optometry must have an established knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences in order to provide quality eye and vision care to their patients. The academic foundation must be broad and include the biological, medical, vision and optical sciences, as well as a basic understanding of the health care delivery system. A Doctor of Optometry must recognize the dynamic nature of knowledge and possess the commitment and skills needed to responsibly assess and apply new information and treatment strategies throughout their career.

The UMSL College of Optometry shall ensure that before graduation each student will effectively utilize and demonstrate a working knowledge in patient care within each of the following areas:

  1. basic body systems, with special emphasis on the ocular and visual system and their interrelationships to the body as a whole;
  2. the impact of genes and their interaction with behavior, diet and the environment on human health;
  3. the various processes and causes that lead to dysfunction and disease and the effect that these processes can have on the body and its major organ systems, with special emphasis on the ocular and visual systems; the mechanisms of actions of the various classes of pharmaceutical agents, including injectable agents, their interactions, along with their safe and effective use for the treatment of disease and conditions affecting the eye and visual system;
  4. the structures and processes contributing to the development of refractive error and other optical or perceptual abnormalities of the visual system;
  5. the optics of the eye and ophthalmic lens systems (including spectacles, contact lenses, and low vision devices) used to correct refractive, oculomotor and other vision disorders;
  6. visual development and vision function with respect to deviation and enhancement of conditions such as, but not limited to, strabismus, amblyopia, oculomotor, accommodation, and visual perception;
  7. vision therapy and other rehabilitative methods used for the management of common visual disorders;
  8. the psychosocial dynamics of the doctor/patient relationship and an understanding of the social, psychological, and economic forces affecting diverse patient populations;
  9. the practice management structure and strategies as they pertain to various practice settings;
  10. the critical elements of verbal and written communications and understanding of the need for clear and appropriate documentation of patient encounters;
  11. the concepts of refractive surgery and its management;
  12. the conscientious use of current best practices in patient care decision making;
  13. a broad-based multidisciplinary understanding of patient care;
  14. an appreciation for and a commitment to lifelong learning;
  15. information management and technology in the delivery of eye and health care;
  16. and an understanding of and commitment to uphold the ethical obligations imposed by the tenets of the Optometric Oath of Practice.

Grades
All courses taken for credit in the professional program must be passed with a "C-" or better in order for a student to qualify for graduation. The College of Optometry does not recognize a “D” grade for courses taken for degree credit; and for a student enrolled in a patient care course. Therefore, any grade lower than a “C-”will be recorded as an “F” and have “0” grade points. Furthermore, in order to qualify for graduation, a student must be in good academic standing and the cumulative professional Grade Point Average (GPA) must be 2.50 or higher. Students must submit evidence to the Office of Student Services that they have taken the 3 part NBEO examinations prior to graduation. Such evidence may include a copy of the score report received from NBEO.

To assure graduating at the end of a specific semester, all work for that semester and any delayed grades from previous semesters must be completed with the grades sent to the Office of Student Services no later than the official date for submission of final semester grades.

Time limitations
All of the required courses during the first six (6) semesters of first course enrollment and all required courses for the O.D. degree must be completed within six (6) years after the first course enrollment.

Graduate Studies

Vision Science
Vision science is a multidisciplinary area concerned with the study of normal and anomalous vision. The goal of this program is to train the next generation of researchers in clinical and basic vision science, to conduct research, and to educate faculty for schools and colleges of optometry. Students will be required to integrate basic skills in vision science with focal studies in an area of research emphasis.

This program will emphasize research aimed at new treatments and cures for vision disorders, as well as research in basic mechanisms of visual functions. The College of Optometry offers both an M.S. degree and a Ph.D. degree. Students may apply to the Graduate School for admission to either the M.S. or the Ph.D. program.

Admission Requirements
Students must have the appropriate background for graduate training in physiological optics and appropriate undergraduate courses for their anticipated research emphasis. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within the United States or from an equivalent institution outside the United States. To be admitted as regular graduate students, applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 in their overall undergraduate work, in their undergraduate major, and in any post baccalaureate academic work. Students must arrange for transcripts to be submitted from all postsecondary academic work and to have at least three letters of recommendation sent by faculty members at previously attended colleges and universities. Students must also submit GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytic). Applicants to the M.S. program must have combined scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of at least 1000; applicants to the Ph.D. program must have combined scores of at least 1100. In addition, students from countries where English is not a primary language must submit TOEFL scores of 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based), or 80 (internet based) or better. All materials and scores must be submitted by March 1 if an applicant wishes to be considered for financial assistance for the Fall semester. Early applications are encouraged.

Master of Science in Vision Science

Curricular Outcomes

The graduate of the Masters of Science in Vision Science degree program will:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of concepts across a number of cores disciplines in Vision Science.
2. Show an ability to critically analyze the primary literature in Vision Science
3. Understand how to analyze and interpret scientific data in Vision Science
4. Conduct, analyze and defend a thesis project

For the Master’s degree students must complete the 5 core courses (6400, 6401, 6402, 6403, 6404).  Students must take 15 more credits and successfully defend their Master’s Thesis.  Students are expected to present their research both on campus (department seminars or Graduate Research Fair) (Outcome 2, 3).  The capstone experience is a public defense of the thesis as well as a written and oral defense of the thesis from the thesis committee (Outcome 4).

Degree Requirements
The M.S. degree requires 30 semester hours of course work, including the core courses. At least 24 of these hours will normally be taken from courses offered by the College of Optometry, with no more than 10 of these in VIS SCI 6490, Graduate Research in Vision Science. Each M.S. student will be required to teach at least two semesters in areas determined by the Graduate Committee in Vision Science.

The core courses for this program are:
VIS SCI 6400, Sensory Processes and Perception
VIS SCI 6401, Visual Optics
VIS SCI 6402, Ocular Anatomy and Physiology
VIS SCI 6403, Psychophysical Methods and Experimental Design
VIS SCI 6404, Sensory Neuroscience

Special Topics, Individual Studies, and Advanced Topics courses in Vision Science are also offered.

Each M.S. student must also complete a thesis based on research conducted during the program. The thesis must be approved by a committee of at least three members of the graduate faculty, at least two of whom must be from the graduate faculty in vision science.

Ph.D. in Vision Science

Curricular Outcomes
The graduate of the PhD in Vision Science degree program will;

1. Demonstrate an understanding of concepts across a number of cores disciplines in Vision Science;
2.  Show an ability to critically analyze the primary literature in Vision Science
3. Understand how to analyze and interpret scientific data in Vision Science
4.  Develop skills and knowledge to establish a program of research in vision science
5. Design, conduct and defend a dissertation that contributes to the vision science literature and shows independent creative thought.

Upon completing the core courses a PhD candidate must pass a Qualifying Exam covering topics in 4/5 core course areas: Visual Optics, Psychophysical Methods, Experimental Design Ocular Anatomy and Physiology, Sensory Neuroscience, and Sensory Processes and Perception.  Members of the graduate committee who were involved with the core courses will submit questions to be answered and grade the exams.  The successful completion of the Qualifying exam establishes the student’s Ph.D. candidacy.  Students are expected to present their research both on campus (department seminars or Graduate Research Fair) (Outcome 2, 3, 5).  Students are also expected to present their work at a national meeting (e.g. ARVO, AAO, VSS, SFN).  The capstone experience is a public defense of the dissertation as well as a written and oral defense of the dissertation from the dissertation committee (Outcome 6).

Degree Requirements
The doctoral degree requires 60 semester hours of course work, including the core courses. Each Ph.D. student will also be required to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language, computer language, advanced statistical methods, or another acceptable tool skill. The tool skill and level of proficiency must be selected in advance in consultation with the Graduate Committee in Vision Science. Students will be required to teach at least two semesters in areas determined by the Graduate Committee in Vision Science.

Written qualifying examinations will be offered each semester. Students must declare their intent to take the examinations at least one month prior to the beginning of that semester or summer session. Full‑time students must attempt qualifying examinations before beginning their third year of study. Students must declare their intent to take the examinations at least one month prior to the beginning of that semester or summer session.

The preparation of the dissertation will be supervised by a dissertation committee which will be appointed by the Graduate Dean upon the recommendation of the Director of Graduate Programs in the College of Optometry. Input from the student's advisor will be solicited by the Director prior to finalization of the recommendation by vote of the Graduate Faculty. An oral examination of the written dissertation proposal will be conducted by the Committee. A public oral defense of the completed written dissertation is also required.

The core courses for this program are:
VIS SCI 6400, Sensory Processes and Perception
VIS SCI 6401, Visual Optics
VIS SCI 6402, Ocular Anatomy and Physiology
VIS SCI 6403, Psychophysical Methods and Experimental Design
VIS SCI 6404, Sensory Neuroscience
Special Topics, Individual Studies, and Advanced Topics courses in Vision Science are also offered.

Continuing Education

The College of Optometry offers continuing education programs for optometrists throughout the Midwest region as well as nationwide. Courses on nutrition, management of ocular diseases, ocular anomalies, and visual skills are held on a frequent basis. In addition to College of Optometry faculty, optometric specialists, medical educators, and researchers have input into course development as well as participation in course presentations. All CE courses offered by the school are accepted by those states requiring continuing education credit for re-licensure.

Continuing Education course information may be obtained by contacting:

University of Missouri‑St. Louis College of Optometry
Office of Continuing Education
One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121‑4499
(314) 516‑5615

Career Outlook

Doctor of Optometry Degree
Doctors of Optometry are independent primary health care providers who examine diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as diagnose related systemic conditions. They examine the internal and external structure of the eyes to diagnose eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and retinal disorders; systemic diseases like hypertension and diabetes; and vision conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. Doctors of Optometry also do testing to determine the patient’s ability to focus and coordinate the eyes, and to judge depth and see colors accurately. They prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, low vision aids, vision therapy and medicines to treat eye diseases.

As primary eye care providers, Doctors of Optometry are an integral part of the health care team and an entry point into the health care system. They are skilled in the co-management of care that affects the eye health and vision of their patients and an excellent source of referral to other health care professionals.

The scope of optometric practice requires an understanding of the development and maintenance of vision from infancy through adulthood, and the therapeutic and rehabilitative methods required to care for eye and vision abnormalities that affect people of any age.

Optometry is the largest eye care profession and one of the largest independent health care professions in the United States. Currently, some 34,000 Doctors of Optometry practice in America. They are widely distributed across the nation, practicing in more than 7,100 different municipalities. In more than 4,300 of these communities, they are the only primary care provider. As such, Doctors of Optometry provide the major portion of primary eye care services in the United States.

Studies have indicated that a ratio of one practicing Doctor of Optometry to every 7,000 people (a ratio of 14.3 practicing doctors of optometry per 100,000 population) is a reasonable average for the United States. Despite recent growth in the profession, few states meet this criterion.

As our society becomes more technically oriented, vision requirements become more exacting. The number of persons needing professional help for reading and other near‑point visual tasks, and computer usage amont all people including young children, is steadily growing. Increased demands for vision care result not only from population growth but also from increased understanding of how good vision relates to industrial production, student achievement, adjustments to aging, and other areas crucial to modern society.

As a result the patients have more varied and challenging needs. On any given day, a Doctor of Optometry could be involved in restoring functional vision to a partially sighted patient; fitting glasses for a child whose vision problem is affecting academic achievement; treating an eye infection with antibiotics; improving the function of a patient's eyes through vision training; helping an elderly patient in a nursing home cope with changing vision through critical eye health education; and performing comprehensive eye examinations for those who need glasses or contact lenses to correct astigmatism, nearsightedness, and numerous other vision problems.

The practice of optometry offers independence, flexibility, and diversity. Doctors of Optometry have a wide range of modes of practice. They may choose to practice in the inner cities, suburbs, and rural areas. Opportunities exist for solo practice, associateship, optometric or multidisciplinary group practice, government or military service, clinical or hospital practice, teaching, and research.

Optometry is a rewarding career, both economically and personally. Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and surveys by professional associations, optometry is one of the top 10 income‑earning professions in the country.

Graduate Degrees
The master of science program provides research‑oriented training beyond that offered in the professional program in optometry. Many optometry schools require that applicants for faculty positions hold an M.S. or Ph.D. degree as well as an O.D. degree. Additional employment possibilities for individuals with M.S. degrees are found in industry and in public and private research foundations.

The Ph.D. program prepares students as research professionals in vision science. Employment opportunities are available in college or university teaching and research, in research institutes, and in industry. Within academic optometry, individuals with both O.D. and Ph.D. degrees are in high demand as faculty members.