Barry PhilipsIf you are interested in becoming an optometrist in Texas, choosing the right college for your undergraduate education is an important first step. However, there is a common misunderstanding about the number of optometry schools in the state.
Texas currently has two operating Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) schools: the University of Houston College of Optometry and the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry. A third school, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Optometry, is being developed and is expected to welcome its first class in Fall 2027.
Because there are not 20 actual O.D. schools in Texas, this guide highlights 20 Texas universities and colleges that can help students prepare for optometry school through pre-optometry, pre-health, science or related programs.
These institutions can help students complete courses such as biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, psychology, microbiology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry.
Top Optometry Schools In Texas And Requirements
1. University of Houston
The University of Houston is home to the University of Houston College of Optometry, one of the two currently operating optometry schools in Texas.
Its Doctor of Optometry program is a four-year professional program requiring 177 semester credit hours. Students receive extensive clinical training, including experience in primary care, pediatrics, low vision, cornea and contact lenses, medical eye care and other specialties.
Applicants need the required prerequisite courses and must apply through OptomCAS as well as complete the university’s supplemental application.
The school strongly prefers the OAT, although other entrance examinations may be accepted.
2. University of the Incarnate Word
The University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio houses the Rosenberg School of Optometry, the second operating O.D. school in Texas.
Applicants generally need at least 90 semester hours from an accredited college or university, C or better grades in prerequisite courses and a recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Applicants must also submit an accepted standardized test score, personal statement and letters of recommendation, including one from an optometrist.
At least 20 hours of optometry shadowing with an O.D. is required, although relevant work experience may satisfy this requirement.
3. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is developing a new School of Optometry and Doctor of Optometry program.
The university has announced plans for an inaugural class of approximately 40 students in Fall 2027. This will expand the number of O.D. schools available to students in Texas.
Because the program is still being established, prospective students should pay close attention to future admissions announcements rather than assuming that current requirements are identical to those of existing Texas optometry schools.
4. The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin does not operate a Doctor of Optometry school, but it has a dedicated Pre-Optometry Pathway through its Health Professions Office.
Students receive guidance on prerequisite coursework, application planning, extracurricular activities, shadowing, OAT preparation and professional-school applications.
Students can select an undergraduate major that fits their interests while completing the courses required by their target optometry schools.
5. University of Texas at Arlington
UT Arlington offers Pre-Optometry Studies for students preparing for optometry school.
Students can complete prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, advanced biology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, statistics and psychology.
The university also encourages students to gain exposure to optometry through shadowing, volunteering and healthcare-related experiences.
6. University of Texas at San Antonio
UT San Antonio provides a pre-optometry pathway rather than an O.D. degree.
Students can complete prerequisite courses and receive health-professions advising while preparing to apply to optometry schools.
Common coursework includes biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and physics.
UTSA emphasizes that students should verify individual requirements because optometry schools can have different prerequisite policies.
7. Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University has a Pre-Optometry academic designation.
Pre-optometry is not itself a degree. Instead, students select an undergraduate major while completing the courses required for professional optometry programs.
Texas Tech provides advising and a structured pathway covering courses such as biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, psychology and English.
Students can also use the university’s pre-professional health resources when preparing their applications.
8. Texas State University
Texas State University offers pre-health advising for students interested in becoming optometrists.
The university helps students understand the O.D. pathway, prerequisite coursework and application process.
Students should work closely with advisors because requirements can differ between the University of Houston, Rosenberg School of Optometry and optometry schools outside Texas.
9. University of North Texas
The University of North Texas has a dedicated Pre-Optometry pathway through its Office of Health Professions.
Students can choose majors such as biology while completing optometry prerequisites.
UNT also provides guidance concerning the OAT, shadowing, volunteering, application timing and other components of a competitive optometry application.
10. University of Texas at Dallas
UT Dallas offers a Healthcare Studies bachelor’s degree designed for students interested in several healthcare professions, including optometry.
The program provides a foundation in areas such as biology, chemistry and physics.
UT Dallas also has a Pre-Optometry Professional Society that provides opportunities for students interested in the profession to learn more about optometry.
11. Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University has a Pre-Health Professions Institute that supports students interested in optometry.
The program is available regardless of undergraduate major.
Students can receive advising and preparation for professional-school applications while completing appropriate prerequisite coursework.
Biology and other science majors are common choices, but students are not restricted to one particular undergraduate discipline.
12. Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University offers pre-health advising for students pursuing professional programs, including optometry.
Its pre-optometry resources provide guidance concerning the OAT, OptomCAS and prerequisite planning.
Students can choose a major that suits their interests while ensuring that they complete the science and other courses required by the optometry schools to which they intend to apply.
13. Baylor University
Baylor University has a dedicated Pre-Optometry Program.
The program provides advising, professional workshops, research opportunities and student organizations.
Baylor allows students to choose majors in either science or non-science fields, although they must still complete the required optometry prerequisites.
Typical prerequisite areas include chemistry, biology, microbiology, physics, organic chemistry, biochemistry and anatomy.
14. Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas A&M University-Commerce offers a specific Pre-Optometry pathway within its biological and environmental sciences curriculum.
The suggested coursework includes biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, general physiology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics.
Students are encouraged to consult the optometry school they plan to attend because individual O.D. programs can have different requirements.
15. Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers pre-health professional preparation that includes pre-optometry.
Students complete foundational science courses while receiving guidance about professional-school requirements.
The curriculum includes areas such as biology, chemistry and physics, with additional coursework depending on the requirements of the optometry program to which the student intends to apply.
16. Houston Christian University
Houston Christian University offers a Pre-Health Professions program with an optometry track.
The program is designed to help students prepare academically and professionally for health-related graduate and professional programs.
Students interested in optometry can work with advisors to select appropriate undergraduate coursework and prepare for application requirements.
17. Rice University
Rice University is another Texas institution that can provide a strong undergraduate science foundation for students planning to pursue optometry.
Students can complete rigorous coursework in areas relevant to optometry, including biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics.
Because Rice does not operate a Texas O.D. program, students should work with pre-health advisors to match their undergraduate course choices to the prerequisites of their intended optometry schools.
18. Trinity University
Trinity University in San Antonio provides undergraduate preparation for students interested in health professions.
Students interested in optometry can use science coursework and pre-health guidance to prepare for professional school.
A student should identify target O.D. programs early and make sure the undergraduate curriculum covers each school’s prerequisite requirements.
19. Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University provides undergraduate science and health-profession preparation that can serve students interested in careers requiring professional health education.
Students pursuing optometry should work with academic advisors to plan courses in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and other prerequisite areas.
Shadowing and healthcare-related experiences can also help students understand the profession before applying to an O.D. program.
20. Texas Woman’s University
Texas Woman’s University provides undergraduate science and health-related academic opportunities that can support students preparing for professional healthcare programs.
Students interested in optometry should use academic advising to build a course schedule that satisfies the requirements of their chosen O.D. schools.
Because optometry schools do not all have identical prerequisites, students should avoid assuming that completing a general biology or health degree automatically satisfies every optometry-school requirement.
Common Optometry School Requirements in Texas
Although each professional school has its own policies, aspiring optometrists should generally prepare for the following.
Bachelor’s Degree or Undergraduate Coursework
Many applicants complete a bachelor’s degree before entering optometry school. Some programs may allow applicants to enter without completing a bachelor’s degree if specific credit and coursework requirements are satisfied.
For example, UH requires a bachelor’s degree before matriculation, while UIW’s O.D. admissions requirements allow applicants to be considered after completing at least 90 semester hours.
Biology
Biology is one of the most important prerequisite areas.
Students should expect to complete introductory biology courses with laboratories. Some schools also require advanced biology courses such as anatomy, physiology, genetics, cell biology or neuroscience.
General Chemistry
General chemistry with laboratory components is commonly required.
Students should normally complete a two-semester sequence, although the exact credit-hour requirements can differ.
Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry is another common requirement.
Some optometry schools require organic chemistry with a laboratory, while others may structure their chemistry requirements differently.
Physics
General physics with laboratory work is commonly required.
Applicants should check whether their target school specifies algebra-based, calculus-based or optics-focused physics.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is increasingly important in optometry prerequisites.
Applicants should verify whether their chosen school requires a specific number of semester hours and whether the course must be completed within a particular timeframe.
Microbiology
Microbiology, frequently with a laboratory, is another common prerequisite.
Students should check individual admissions requirements before selecting a course.
Anatomy and Physiology
Advanced anatomy and physiology can be particularly important.
The University of Houston, for example, requires advanced human science-related biology and specifies that a portion must come from junior- or senior-level anatomy or physiology.
Mathematics and Statistics
Calculus and statistics are commonly included among optometry prerequisites.
However, the exact mathematics requirements vary between schools.
Psychology
Psychology is another course commonly required for optometry admission.
Students should check whether their target schools specify introductory psychology or another particular course.
Optometry Admission Test
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is the major standardized examination associated with optometry-school admissions.
The test covers areas such as biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning.
Some optometry schools also accept other standardized examinations, so applicants should check the policies of their chosen schools.
Shadowing an Optometrist
Gaining direct exposure to the profession is extremely valuable.
Some schools specify minimum shadowing requirements. For example, both UH and UIW require at least 20 hours of optometry-related experience or shadowing under their current admissions policies.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants should expect to provide recommendation letters.
An academic reference is commonly useful, while some schools specifically require or strongly recommend a letter from an optometrist.
Personal Statement
A strong personal statement should explain why the applicant is interested in optometry, how their experiences have prepared them for the profession and what they hope to accomplish as an optometrist.
OptomCAS Application
OptomCAS is the centralized application service used by optometry schools.
Applicants should begin preparing transcripts, recommendation letters, examination scores, personal statements and experience records well before the application deadline.
Comparison Table: Top Texas Pre-Optometry Options
| Institution | City | Type of Preparation | O.D. School on Campus? | Key Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Houston | Houston | Pre-optometry + O.D. | Yes | Full O.D. program |
| University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio | Pre-optometry + O.D. | Yes | O.D. + direct admit |
| UTRGV | Edinburg | Developing O.D. pathway | Planned | O.D. expected Fall 2027 |
| UT Austin | Austin | Pre-optometry | No | Health-professions advising |
| UT Arlington | Arlington | Pre-optometry | No | Science prerequisites |
| UT San Antonio | San Antonio | Pre-optometry | No | Pre-health advising |
| Texas Tech | Lubbock | Pre-optometry | No | Pre-professional advising |
| Texas State | San Marcos | Pre-optometry | No | Pre-health advising |
| UNT | Denton | Pre-optometry | No | Dedicated pathway |
| UT Dallas | Richardson | Healthcare Studies | No | Healthcare/pre-optometry preparation |
| TCU | Fort Worth | Pre-health | No | Optometry advising |
| SMU | Dallas | Pre-health/pre-optometry | No | Optometry application preparation |
| Baylor University | Waco | Pre-optometry | No | Dedicated pre-optometry program |
| Texas A&M-Commerce | Commerce | Pre-optometry | No | Biological sciences pathway |
| Texas A&M-Kingsville | Kingsville | Pre-health/pre-optometry | No | Science preparation |
| Houston Christian University | Houston | Pre-health/optometry | No | Pre-professional preparation |
| Rice University | Houston | Pre-health/science | No | Science preparation |
| Trinity University | San Antonio | Pre-health | No | Undergraduate preparation |
| Abilene Christian University | Abilene | Pre-health/science | No | Science preparation |
| Texas Woman’s University | Denton | Health/science preparation | No | Pre-professional preparation |
How to Choose a Texas College for Optometry
When choosing an undergraduate institution, do not simply look for a school with the words “pre-optometry” in its name.
Instead, consider whether the institution offers the prerequisite courses required by your target O.D. schools.
Also consider the availability of pre-health advising, science laboratories, research opportunities, healthcare volunteering, optometry shadowing opportunities and student organizations.
Your undergraduate major is also not necessarily required to be biology. Several institutions emphasize that students can select different majors while completing the necessary optometry prerequisites.
The most important thing is to plan your courses early.
Related
Conclusion
There are currently not 20 Doctor of Optometry schools in Texas. The state has two operating optometry schools, the University of Houston College of Optometry and the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry, while the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is preparing to launch its O.D. program.
However, Texas has many universities that can prepare students for optometry school through pre-optometry, pre-health, biology, healthcare studies and other science-based pathways.
For students planning this career, the most important step is to identify the O.D. schools they intend to apply to and then build their undergraduate course schedule around those schools’ actual prerequisite requirements.
Strong science grades, appropriate prerequisite courses, OAT preparation, optometry shadowing, meaningful extracurricular activities, recommendation letters and a well-prepared application can all form important parts of the journey toward becoming an optometrist.