Ithaca College participates in joint programs with the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and the State University of New York College of Optometry, which enables students majoring in biology to receive both a bachelor's degree from Ithaca College and a degree of doctor of optometry in seven years rather than eight. Students must complete 90 credits of college and departmental requirements at Ithaca College as well as satisfy the requirements specified for admission to the optometry college. After successfully completing the first year at the optometry college, students receive the bachelor's degree from Ithaca College. After completing the remaining three years at the optometry college, the doctor of optometry degree is awarded.
Because the major in biology requires a substantial number of credit hours in biology, chemistry, physics, and math, and because the student must also fill the general education requirements for the School of Humanities and Sciences, students must plan their three years at Ithaca College very carefully. It is important that the student inform the summer adviser during freshman orientation of the desire to participate in the optometry program so that the student can begin filling all the necessary requirements during the freshman year. It is also important that the student inform his/her permanent academic adviser of the intention to participate in this program. With careful planning, students can successfully meet all the requirements of both Ithaca College and the specific optometry school.
