BS Premedical and Health Studies/Doctor of Optometry with New England College of Optometry (Professional Pathway)
Students accepted into the combined, straight-through, seven-year bachelor of science/doctor of optometry program earn a bachelor of science degree from MCPHS and a doctor of optometry degree (OD) from the New England College of Optometry (NECO) in Boston, the educational and intellectual center of optometry in New England since 1894. This seven-year program includes three years of study at MCPHS and four years at NECO.
This is a unique educational opportunity for the highly motivated, academically outstanding student with a professional goal of a career in optometry.
The program allows for completion of all the liberal arts and basic science requirements for the BS degree during the three years at MCPHS. The four years at the New England College of Optometry provide course work needed for the student to complete the bachelor’s degree, as well as the professional education required for the doctoral degree in optometry. The bachelor of science degree is awarded after successful completion of the first year at the New England College of Optometry.
The program allows the student to focus on career objectives as an undergraduate while secondarily reducing the academic and financial stresses commonly associated with pre-professional and professional education.
Applicants must be superior high school students, especially in math and science, with acceptable SAT or ACT scores. Applicants are interviewed by representatives of MCPHS and the New England College of Optometry.
Final admission to the New England College of Optometry is contingent upon successful completion of the first three years in the BS program at MCPHS (achieving a GPA of 3.40 or better), satisfactory Optometry Admissions Test scores (averaging 330 or better, with no score below 300), and the recommendation of MCPHS. Students are required to submit a full application to the New England College of Optometry prior to the deadline for the admission cycle of their expected year of entry into the professional program. Final admission decisions are made by the New England College of Optometry.