SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
The "3 + 4" Accelerated Program In Optometry
An Affiliation Agreement between the
Biology Program in the Penn State Behrend School of Science
and
The Ohio State University College of Optometry
The "3+4" Accelerated Program in Optometry between Penn State Erie and the Ohio State University College of Optometry permits selected undergraduate students who have successfully completed specific core course requirements at Penn State Behrend to continue their education in optometry at Ohio State University in an accelerated program of study.
This permits students to save one year of schooling as they work toward their OD degree. The program is comprised of two phases: Phase I consists of the first three years of undergraduate education at Penn State Erie; Phase II consists of the remaining optometry school education at the Ohio State University College of Optometry. Penn State Erie will confer the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology to the Penn State Erie students in the program who have successfully completed the Penn State Erie courses in Phase I (minimum 103 credits) and the first year of Ohio State University College of Optometry’s academic curriculum.
Phase I
Students will be admitted, on a competitive basis, to the Penn State Erie phase of the program based upon the following minimum criteria:
SAT Combined Math and Verbal Score 1200
High School Grade Point Average 3.5
High School Class Rank Top 25% of the class
Phase II
Final acceptance of candidates to Phase II of the program will be determined by the Ohio State University College of Optometry.
An automatic invitation to interview at the College of Optometry will be granted if the student participating in the Accelerated Program meets the following criteria while attending Penn State Behrend:
1. Earned (on the 4.0 grading system) the following minimum grade point averages at Penn State Behrend:
(a) Science GPA 3.3
(b) Overall GPA 3.5
2. Taken the Optometry Admission Test (“OAT”) no later than March 31 of the student’s junior year and earned minimum scores of:
(a) Total Science 320
(b) Academic Average 320
(c) Above 300 in each subcategory
3. Observed at least two optometric practices.
4. Received a favorable letter of recommendation from the Penn State Behrend Health and Allied Health Professions Advisor.
5. Met the application deadline of March 31st.
Conferral of the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree
The student must earn one hundred three (103) Penn State Erie credits in the Biology Major in the Accelerated Health Professions option, and 60 quarter hours from the first-year of the four-year curriculum of optometry at the Ohio State University College of Optometryto receive the Penn State baccalaureate degree.
To Apply For Phase I of the "3 + 4" Accelerated Program in Optometry Contact:
Dr. James T. Warren Jr.
Director of Health Professions Advising
School of Science
Penn State Erie
4205 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
jtw4@psu.edu
814-898-6986
Application will include evidence of your high school performance, a letter indicating your interest in a career in dentistry, and an interview conducted on the Penn State Erie campus.
If you meet the minimum requirements of the program and show a strong interest in dentistry, as evidenced by your letter, an interview will be arranged at Penn State Erie. Admission to Phase I is granted on a competitive basis, with the applicant's record and interview included in the decision. Admission to Phase I grants the successful applicant conditional acceptance into Phase II. Acceptance into Phase II is based on the conditions outlined herein and is administered by the Ohio State University College of Optometry.