PCO 3 + 4 Accelerated Optometry Program
JAMES J. McGIVERN, Ph.D., Director of the Pre-Professional Phase
Aims and Objectives
This is an accelerated program in optometry presented in cooperation with the Pennsylvania
College of Optometry (PCO). The program is designed to assist young men and women who
wish to enter the profession of optometry. Students in the program are encouraged to enter
the practice of optometry in underserved areas of Pennsylvania. Following three years of preoptometry
studies at Gannon, students in the accelerated program in optometry will be
evaluated and will make application to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and pursue
the four years of the optometry curriculum at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. At the
end of the first year of study at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, upon application to
Gannon, students in the program will receive a bachelor's degree (in Health Sciences or other
degree program for which requirements have been met) from Gannon University. The degree
of Doctor of Optometry will be awarded to students who complete the four year course of
study at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. One quarter of the student's final year of
study will be spent in "clerkships" (in institutional settings) and "preceptorships" (in office
settings) in Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Admissions Requirements
* Completion of four years of science courses at the high
school level. Three of these science courses must be Biology, Chemistry, and
Physics.
* No grade lower than a "C" in any high school science course.
* Completion of four years of math courses at the high school level.
* Minimum SAT score of 1050.
* Minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0.
* Class rank in the top 25%
Eligibility for admission to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry requires:
1. Satisfactory completion of the following course of study at Gannon.
Recommended Accelerated Veterinary Curriculum (97-100 credits):
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)
