College of Optometry (CO) 2025–2026 103 Academic Affairs All students entering the program without a baccalaureate degree will earn a Bachelor of Science in Vision Science upon successful completion of the first two years of coursework. A student must obtain a bachelor’s degree before the Doctor of Optometry degree can be awarded. After successful completion of the first two years of the traditional professional degree program, students who entered the program without a bachelor’s degree will have a Bachelor of Science degree in Vision Science conferred. Each student must make a degree application through Self-Service Banner, no later than April 1 of their second year in the program. Students in the extended optometry degree program may apply for Bachelor of Science degrees after completion of their third year. The degree will be conferred at the end of May, after it is determined that the academic criteria have been met. There are no commencement exercises for this degree. Students who entered the optometry degree program with a bachelor’s degree have the option of obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree from NSU as well. They must also apply by April 1 of their second year (third year in the extended program). Traditional, Extended, and Advanced Standing Optometry Programs The traditional optometry program allows students to obtain a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree through a four-year lockstep curriculum which integrates the basic and biological sciences with clinical practice. The Extended Optometry Program (E Program) offers a distinctive educational path by allowing students to attain a Doctor of Optometry degree over an extended five-year period, offering flexibility to accommodate various life circumstances. The Advanced Standing Optometry Program (ASOP) offers students with doctorate degrees the opportunity to obtain a Doctor of Optometry degree over a three-year period, allowing them to use their previous advanced training in vision science, optometry, and/or ophthalmology to accelerate their path through the curriculum. Honors Program NSU’s CO has initiated an honors program that encourages students in the traditional, extended, and advanced standing programs to transcend the boundaries of the conventional curriculum. These students are expected to complete additional achievements in the areas of research, scholarship, and community service. Students are selected to participate in the Honors Program during their second or third year. In addition to their additional requirements, honors students are enrolled in an Honors Seminar Course, which exposes them to evidence-based clinical concepts in a small group/journal club format.
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