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 UM-St Louis, please go to the College of Optometry Home Page.

The College of Optometry Bulletin can be found here.

Larry J. Davis, Dean, Associate Professor*
O.D., Indiana University; Residency, Contact Lenses, University of Missouri‑St. Louis
Gerald A. Franzel, Associate Dean for the Division of Continuing Education, Clinical Associate Professor,
O.D., University of Houston
Ralph P. Garzia, Assistant Dean for Clinical Programs; Associate Professor*
O.D., Residency, Pediatric Optometry,
Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Jerry L. Christensen, Professor*
O.D., Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Vinita A. Henry, Director, Residency Programs, Co-Chief Contact Lens Service and Program Coordinator for Residency, Contact Lenses; Clinical Professor
O.D., Residency, Contact Lenses,
University of Missouri‑St. Louis
Raymond I. Myers, Clinical Professor,
O.D., Indiana University
Carol K. Peck, Professor*                                                                                                               
Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow,
University of California‑Los Angeles
William G. Bachman, Associate Professor*
M.S., University of Alabama‑Birmingham,
 O.D.,Southern College of Optometry
Carl J. Bassi, Director of Research and Graduate Studies, Associate Professor*
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Southern California, Doheny Eye Institute
Edward S. Bennett, Director of Student Services; Co‑Chief, Contact Lens Service; Associate Professor*
M.S.Ed., O.D., Indiana University‑Bloomington
Vasudevan Lakshminarayanan, Associate Professor*
M.Sc., University of Madras, India,
Ph.D., University of California‑Berkeley
William F. Long, Associate Professor*,
Coordinator for Informatics
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
Leonard L. Naeger, Clinical Associate Professor **
Ph.D., University of Florida; Residency, Hospital‑Based Pharmacy, VA Medical Center, St. Louis**
Jeffrey L. Weaver, Clinical Associate 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
Timothy A. Wingert, Associate Professor*, Chief of Third-year Primary Care Service
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
Kathleen Boland, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Lee J. Browning, Clinical Assistant Professor**
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Residency, Northeastern State University, Talequah, OK
Brian Brunig, Clinical Assistant Professor**
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
John Crane, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
James A. DeClue, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry**
Julie Ott DeKinder, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., Northeastern State University; Residency, Cornea
and Contact Lens, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Aaron S. Franzel, Clinical Assistant Professor, Chief Pediatric/Binocular Vision Service
O.D., University of Missouri‑St. Louis
Christine Garhart, Clinical Assistant Professor
D.V.M., Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia
Case Western Reserve University
Richard G’sell, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis**
Alexander J. Harris, Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Externship Programs and Minority Affairs Advisor
M.A., Washington University, O.D., University of Missouri‑St. Louis
Beth A. Henderson, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., The Ohio State University**
Edward Jarka, Center Coordinator, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
Vivian Kloke, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis**
John A. McGreal, Jr., Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., Pennsylvania College of Optometry**
Linda Marks, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., Ferris State University: Residency, Pediatric Binocular Vision, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Eric Polk, Clinical Assistant Professor**
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Mary Beth Rhomberg, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis**
Ron Richardson, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry**
Erin Searfoss, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Stephen Viola, Clinical Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Indiana State University**
Gary Vogel, Clinical Assistant Professor
O.D., Ohio State University**
Erwin Wong, Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern California College of Optometry;
Ph.D., University of Houston
Deborah Iadevito, Specialist
M.Ed., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Maureen McCarthy, Specialist
M.Ed., University of Missouri-St. Louis

*members of Graduate Faculty
**part-time

Joseph H. Maino, Adjunct Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry; Residency, Rehabilitative Optometry, VA Medical Center, Kansas City
Debbie L. Hettler, Adjunct Associate Professor
O.D., The Ohio State University
M.P.H., University of Illinois
Sean Mulqueeny, Adjunct Associate Professor
O.D., University of Missouri‑St. Louis
Stuart Richer, Adjunct Associate Professor
O.D., University of California
Levent Akduman, Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.D., Hace Hepe, University of Turkey
Ronald Bateman, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Indiana University‑Bloomington
P. Douglas Becherer, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Donald Beyers, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Robert Brusatti, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri‑St. Louis
James Bureman, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
Carmen Castellano, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
Walter Choate, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Diane Curry, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Cheryl Davidson, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Michelle Dent, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., V.A. Wichita, Kansas
Gail B. Doell, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Sarah Dougherty, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Indiana University School of Optometry
John Galanis, Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.D., St. Louis University
John M. Garber, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Sarah Gerdes, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Ohio State University
N. Rex Ghormley, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern California College of Optometry
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
Timothy Hug, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Houston
Jeffrey Kempf, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Deborah Kerber, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri‑St. Louis
Harry Knopf, Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.D., Harvard Medical School
Robert A. Koetting, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Linda Lucas, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Indiana University School of Optometry
Julie Miavez, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Ohio State University College of Optometry
Daniel Osborn, Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.D., Indiana University School of Medicine
David Pierce, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Patrick Pirotte, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern California College of Optometry
Thomas I. Porter, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Paul Resler, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
Byron A. Santos, Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.D., University of San Carlos
Frederick Satkowiak, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Indiana University
Carol Scott, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Don Simpson, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Indiana University
Craig Sorce, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri‑St. Louis
Joe Sullivan, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
Scott Tomasino, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
Christine Tran, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Claude Valenti, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D. University of Pennsylvania
Paul Whitten, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Carrie Williams, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Richard Wilson, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., Ohio State University
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
Debbie Zanella, Adjunct Assistant Professor
O.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis

The UM‑St. Louis 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).

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 UM-St. Louis in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of ocular disease is excellent and qualifies UM-St. Louis graduates to practice optometry in any state in the nation.

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

The Center for Eye Care provides a patient care learning environment for third-year and fourth-year optometric students and residents.  The Center for Eye Care includes four locations: the University Eye Center on the UM-St. Louis south campus, the Optometric Center in the Central West End of St. Louis, the East St. Louis Eye Center, and the 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 full-time or part-time clinical 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 to patients including primary eye care, contact lens, pediatric/binocular vision, low vision, and eye health management. 

Situated in Missouri's largest metropolitan area, the college enjoys the city's strong community and professional support. The urban setting offers many opportunities for outreach programs, expanding the scope of optometric education and making available highly diverse programs of clinical training. Another asset of the College is the location of the national headquarters of the American Optometric Association and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, approximately twelve miles from the 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 optical and biomedical sciences and introduces students to optics of the visual system. The second year covers vision science and training in eye examination techniques. The third year emphasizes patient care and introduces the student to various specialty areas within optometry, such as contact lenses, pediatric and geriatric vision care, binocular vision and vision training, and low vision rehabilitation. The second and third years also include course work and clinical training in ocular disease and pharmacology. The fourth year provides additional patient care experiences and includes rotations through the externship program, giving the student added experience in the treatment 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 according to the individual student’s interest, needs and future practice intentions.  In this program, students leave the academic environment and begin working with selected practicing optometrists while continuing to be monitored by the Centers through weekly reports of all patient experiences and activities.  The externship rotations are set up to give students exposure in the following areas:

Pediatric/Binocular Vision Patient Care
Contact Lens Patient
Low Vision Patient
General (Primary Optometric) Patient Care
Ophthalmic Lasers
Ocular Disease
Geriatric Patient Care
Ophthalmic Surgical Patient Care
Ophthalmic Sports Patient Care
Pathology and Treatment Patient Care
Optometric Rehabilitation Patient Care

Externships Rotations are located at a variety of domestic and international sites.

Student Organizations & Activities
All optometry students enrolled in the University of Missouri‑St. Louis College of Optometry are eligible for membership in the various student optometric associations, including AOSA affiliated with the American Optometric Association and MOSA which is affiliated with the Missouri Optometric Association. 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 SVOSH (Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity), an international organization of optometrists providing free vision care to people in impoverished nations, and the NOSA (National Optometric Student Association), 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 gymnasium, and access to many social and cultural opportunities in St. Louis at reduced cost.

"3+4" Scholars Programs
The University of Missouri offers highly qualified students  the opportunity to complete undergraduate studies and the doctor of optometry degree within seven years total, rather than the typical eight years.  Students can qualify for this program while still in high school, after taking the ACT or SAT exam.  Exceptional academic performance is required. This program offers professional and academic advisement by the College of Optometry faculty and staff throughout the undergraduate experience, as well as offering early exposure to clinically related activities and participation in Optometry student association activities.

Entry into the 3+4 program allows the student to apply to the College of Optometry, usually during the junior year in college, while completing pre-requisite courses both for their degree and for consideration for admission into the College of Optometry.  Those students accepted into the College of Optometry for the fall following their junior year will be granted their undergraduate degree following successful completion of their first year in optometry school.  Students may pursue their undergraduate degree in biology or physics, and through either the College of Arts and Sciences or through the Pierre Laclede Honors College.  A similar program may be available for chemistry majors.

Students should work with their undergraduate advisors as well as the 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.

College of Optometry

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 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 exam (see below, Admission Test and has a GPA of 3.0.

**One semester of Biochemistry 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.

All courses used to satisfy the admission requirements must have been taken at a fully accredited institution.  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. 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 exam may be repeated.  For an OAT application packet and additional information, contact:

Optometry Admission Testing Program
211 East Chicago Ave.
Suite 1846
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440‑2693
http://www.opted.org

Application Procedures
The Admissions Committee begins to process applications on August 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:

1. Application.
2. $50.00 non-refundable application fee.
3. Official high school and college transcripts, followed by updated transcripts as they become available.
4. Official Optometry Admission Test (OAT) results.
5. A composite evaluation prepared by the preprofessional advisory committee at the educational institution the applicant is attending. Those applicants not currently attending college or who are at an institution that does not offer a committee evaluation will be required to submit four letters of recommendation.

Official transcripts must be mailed from every college attended, regardless of whether or not credit was earned.

Letters of recommendation must be mailed directly to the college by the originator.  It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all application materials are received in the office of Student Services by February 15 to be considered for admission to the class entering in August of the same year. Facsimile (faxed) application material will be not 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 December 15 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.
All correspondence, inquiries and application material should be addressed to:

                UM-St. Louis College of Optometry
                Office of Student Services
                317 Marillac Hall
                One University Blvd.
                St. Louis, MO 63121-4400

Applications may also be submitted online by accessing an application at  http://optometry.umsl.edu.  Click on “applying to the college.”               

Students From Other Countries
In addition to the standard application procedures, applicants living outside the United States and its possessions must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and receive a minimum score of 500. Write to:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Educational Testing Service
Princeton, NJ  08530

To complete their credential file, applicants are required to furnish original and official transcripts 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
(414) 289-3400
Fax: (414) 289-3411
E-mail: eval@ece.org
Web site: http://www.ece.org
      
World Education Services
P.O. Box 745
Old Chelsea Station
New York, N.Y.  10113-0745
(212) 966-6311
Fax: (212) 966-6395
Web site: http://www.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

Selection Procedures
Applications are reviewed beginning in August with interviews scheduled and initiated starting in October.  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 June 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. If an applicant is interested in reapplying, they should notify the College of Optometry's Office of Student Services.

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 grants, 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), Federal SEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) and Federal Perkins Loan funds. A completed financial aid application means that the Financial Aid Office has received an official Student Aid Report from the Federal Processing Center.

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 biweekly

To be considered for all university scholarships offered through the Financial Aid Office, a student must be accepted for admission. A scholarship application must be completed to apply for scholarships awarded through Student Financial Aid. All incoming students should complete the Incoming Freshman Scholarship Application. Continuing students should complete the Continuing Student Scholarship Application.

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 during the interview process.

Fees
Detailed information regarding current fees and residency regulations is furnished in the Schedule of Courses, a newspaper schedule distributed before each semester registration, available at the Registrar's Office in the Millennium Student Center. Students should be aware that fees shown are current as this publication goes to press, but fee changes may occur while this Bulletin is still in use.

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.

The Educational Fees plateau is 16.0 credit hours. Any student enrolled for less than 16.0 credit hours will be charged per credit hour at $581.14. Nonresidents pay a non resident fee of $1,082.84 per credit hour

*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 is $11.30 per credit hour (no maximum); Student Facility, Activity, and Health Fee $37.74 for the first credit hour during the summer and $44.74 for the first credit hour during the Fall and Winter/Spring semester.   Additional credit hours (up to the prescribed maximums are assessed at the rate of an additional + $32.74 per credit hour (maximum 6 credit hours for Summer and 12 credit hours for the Fall and Winter/Spring.)

Parking Fee
All vehicles parked on campus require a parking permit. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of the parking policies and procedures while using the lots at the University of Missouri St. Louis. The College of Optometry cannot be responsible for violations from students who do not purchase parking permits or adhere to the campus policies and procedures. 

The Parking fee $18.00 per credit hour for all semesters.  All fourth year students who are away on externship rotation must pay a minimum of $18.00 per semester for parking.

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 visit their website at www.umsl.edu/services/health or call (314) 516-5671.  For students registered at UM-St. Louis College of Optometry, health insurance is available through the American Optometric Student Association.  Visit the website at http://www.studentinsurance.net/Public/ClientBrochures/2004_1849_1.pdf

* 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, three nonresident positions are allocated by state reciprocal agreements for residents of Kansas. Individuals who are admitted under these agreements will pay reduced educational fees. 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.

The College of Optometry currently has a State contract agree for residents of Nebraska. 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. Donald Burns
University of Nebraska
3835 Holdrege
Lincoln, NE 68583
(402) 472-7115

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

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 GPA must be 2.5 or higher. Beginning in May 2003, 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 6 semesters of first course enrollment and all required courses for the O.D. degree must be completed within 6 years after the first course enrollment.

Vision Science (Physiological Optics)
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 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 Physiological Optics

Degree Requirements
The M.S. degree requires 30 semester hours of course work, including the core courses. At least 25 of these hours will normally be taken from courses offered by the College of Optometry, with no more than 10 of these in Physiological Optics 6490, Graduate Research in Physiological Optics. Each M.S. student will be required to teach at least two semesters in areas determined by the Graduate Committee in Physiological Optics.

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

Special Topics, Individual Studies, and Advanced Topics courses in Physiological Optics 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 physiological optics.

Ph.D. in Physiological Optics

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 Physiological Optics. Students will be required to teach at least two semesters in areas determined by the Graduate Committee in Physiological Optics.

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:
Physiological Optics 6400, Sensory Processes and Perception
Physiological Optics 6401, Visual Optics
Physiological Optics 6402, Ocular Anatomy and Physiology
Physiological Optics 6403, Psychophysical Methods and Experimental Design
Physiological Optics 6404, Sensory Neuroscience
Special Topics, Individual Studies, and Advanced Topics courses in Physiological Optics are also offered.

The College of Optometry offers continuing education programs for optometrists throughout the Midwest region as well as nationwide. Courses on 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 relicensure.

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

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.  Optometrists 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. Optometrists 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, optometrists 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 optometrist has completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree.  Some optometrists complete a residency. 

The scope of optometry practice requires an understanding of the development of vision from infancy through adulthood, and the therapeutic and rehabilitative methods required to care for the problems of vision from infancy through the declining years.

Optometry is the largest eye care profession and one of the largest independent health care professions in the United States. Currently, some 30,000 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 criteria.

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, including both older citizens and school 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.
The patients whom the practicing doctors of optometry treats may have varied and challenging needs. On any given day, an optometrist might be involved in restoring 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.