Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree

Earn a Doctor of Optometry degree

The four-year professional Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree program includes all the clinical and practical facets of optometry, as well as the theoretical and fundamental aspects of vision science.

From day one, our students are working on clinical cases that bring together topics in vision science, optics, biology, disease, genetics, and physiology-pharmacology.

During the summer after your first year, you can participate in research with our faculty members in a broad range of topics, including optical imaging, early diabetes detection, color vision, and disease.

O.D. degree questions?

Would you like to attend an online webinar presentation about the Doctor of Optometry degree admission process or would you like to meet with an advisor online and discuss your application in a one-on-one setting?

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Plan your degree

Application process

Degree requirements

Course descriptions

A male customer tries on a pair of black rimmed glasses at the Atwater Eye Care Center. He is looking in the mirror while being helped by a female staff member.

A woman stares into an Oculus Rift, a virtual reality headset and position tracking system.

Two eye care clinics—and patients of all kinds

As an O.D. student at IUSO, you’ll learn elements of an eye examination during your first semester. Twenty months later you'll be ready to examine patients, working alongside top doctors in primary care and specialty services to address the full spectrum of patient conditions - from cataracts to diabetes. Clinical practice continues through the third year and culminates with four 12-week externships in the fourth year.

Our students see patients of all backgrounds and ages in our two clinics: the Indianapolis Eye Care Center, located in the heart of the city, or the Atwater Eye Care Center in the diverse college town of Bloomington.

The tools to grow your vision

An optometry student performs an eye exam

Externship opportunities

The IU School of Optometry is affiliated with more than 40 externship sites across the United States, so you will be able to complete your additional clinical rotations with recognized leaders in a number of specialty areas in any part of the country.

A male optometry student in shirt and tie holds up a binder of colored dot designs. The patient, a six-year-old boy, points to the page.

A residency just for you

Postgraduate residencies are a great way to sharpen clinical skills and get experience. IUSO's residency program extends to 14 different facilities across seven states. 15–20% of our O.D. students complete residencies.

Three male students in a classroom setting

Problem-based learning

Through our Integrative Optometry course, you will solve problems in clinical cases that relate to courses taught in optics, biomedical, and ocular biology modules. Students meet in small groups to discuss the problems, guided by a faculty member.

Two optometry students perform an eye exam on a female patient.

Practice team-based care

Through interprofessional education, you will strive to improve the standards of patient care and foster the highest quality of collaborative practice. The skills you learn will enable you to be a practice-ready healthcare professional.

Business Management Certificate for Eye Care Professionals

While earning your O.D. degree, you can also gain valuable business knowledge for your future eye care career by pursuing the Business Management Certificate for Eye Care Professionals.

The certificate prepares you with practical business intelligence, management skills, and research tools to run a successful practice in the eye care industry. Upon completion of your certificate, you can consider furthering your knowlege by earning an online M.B.A. through the Kelley School of Business.

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Earn an M.S. in Vision Science while working on your O.D. degree

Each year, several students in the O.D. program elect to earn an M.S. in Vision Science. The M.S. serves as an exciting introduction to the research side of the eyecare.