Pennsylvania College of Optometry
3+4 Doctor of Optometry Program
The program permits the qualified student to earn the Doctor of Optometry degree in seven years instead of the usual eight. The first three years are spent at a participating undergraduate institution, the next four at the Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry. The student is awarded a bachelor's degree by the undergraduate institution upon the successful completion of the first professional year and a Doctor of Optometry degree by the University at the conclusion of the professional degree program.
Participating Universities/Colleges
Pennsylvania
Maine
Maryland
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Virginia
Penn State Early Assurance Admission Program
Established in 2017, this is a memorandum of understanding between the Eberly College of Science (ECoS) and Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO).
University Park students can apply to Salus PCO via the ECoS Director of Premedicine and Science majors after their second year. Because there is some flexibility in prerequisite course selections, interested students are encouraged to discuss their intentions as early as possible with the director to optimize course selection plans that will fit with the student’s intended academic major.
Assured Admission Programs
Direct entry and a fast track to the optometry profession is available to students through an articulation agreement between the following institutions and Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO):
Rosemont College
Each year, six (6) eligible Rosemont students are selected for guaranteed seats for the Doctor of Optometry Traditional degree program. Program options include a 3+4 BS/OD degree track or a 4+4 BS/OD degree track (three seats are reserved for each degree track).
University of the Sciences
Each year, 25 eligible USciences students are selected for guaranteed seats for the Doctor of Optometry Traditional degree program. Program options include a 3+4 BS/OD degree track or a 4+4 BS/OD degree track.
As a student in either track, you’ll complete either three or four years at the above institutions before matriculating to PCO, earning both your bachelor of science (BS) and doctor of optometry (OD) degrees.
Drexel University Post-baccalaureate Admission Program
Under this Articulation Agreement, students who successfully complete the Post-baccalaureate Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Program (IHSP) at Drexel University with a 3.0 GPA or above may apply for admission to the Salus University Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree program.
This educational pathway is referred to as the Post-baccalaureate + Doctor of Optometry Degree Program and is comprised of two phases, Phase I and Phase II:
- Phase I is comprised of the student earning a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences degree at Drexel, in addition to satisfying the undergraduate prerequisite coursework required for the Doctor of Optometry Program at Salus, and
- Phase II is comprised of the Doctor of Optometry Degree Program at Salus.