Doctor of Optometry
Step 1: Confirm Background Check Completed
You should receive an email from Certiphi Screenings. You must confirm your Background Screening is complete to receive your student number. Be sure to monitor your junk and spam folders for missing or delayed notifications.
You should receive an email from Certiphi Screenings. You must confirm your Background Screening is complete to receive your student number. Be sure to monitor your junk and spam folders for missing or delayed notifications.
Step 2: Activate Blazer ID
Your BlazerID is the username for accessing many of UAB's services and online resources. You’ll need a BlazerID to make a reservation for orientation, register for classes, and do many other important things. Use your student number to activate your BlazerID and password.
The BlazerID and password takes one hour to activate once you create them. Afterwards you should be able to access your UAB Email through the BlazerID Central Authentication system. This information will be required for you to register for orientation.
Your BlazerID is the username for accessing many of UAB's services and online resources. You’ll need a BlazerID to make a reservation for orientation, register for classes, and do many other important things. Use your student number to activate your BlazerID and password.
The BlazerID and password takes one hour to activate once you create them. Afterwards you should be able to access your UAB Email through the BlazerID Central Authentication system. This information will be required for you to register for orientation.
Step 3: Explore BlazerNET
BlazerNET is the official portal to the UAB community and the most reliable source of information for UAB students. It’s convenient, secure, and provides easy access to your UAB email, class schedule, financial aid status, any transfer credits, Graduation Planning System (GPS), important announcements and more. Use your BlazerID and password to login.
BlazerNET is the official portal to the UAB community and the most reliable source of information for UAB students. It’s convenient, secure, and provides easy access to your UAB email, class schedule, financial aid status, any transfer credits, Graduation Planning System (GPS), important announcements and more. Use your BlazerID and password to login.
Step 4: Make a Reservation for Spring Visit/Submit your ONE Card Photo?
Choose a photo of yourself for your ONE Card—your official student ID—and upload it at least 24 hours before the beginning of your orientation session. Be sure your photo follows the guidelines listed on the submission website. Pick up your new ONE Card at your orientation session.
Choose a photo of yourself for your ONE Card—your official student ID—and upload it at least 24 hours before the beginning of your orientation session. Be sure your photo follows the guidelines listed on the submission website. Pick up your new ONE Card at your orientation session.
Step 5: Apply for or Accept Federal Financial Aid
All it takes is just one form. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov Opens an external link.. Use Code 001052 to send your application to UAB.
If you receive a financial aid award, accept, or decline the offer at uab.edu/blazernet.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
205-934-8223
All it takes is just one form. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov Opens an external link.. Use Code 001052 to send your application to UAB.
If you receive a financial aid award, accept, or decline the offer at uab.edu/blazernet.
205-934-8223
Step 6: Apply for BSMART Endowed Scholarships
Applications for Endowed Scholarships for all Optometry students will be available via BSMART beginning April 1st. The deadline to apply for endowed opportunities is May 31st.
Applications for Endowed Scholarships for all Optometry students will be available via BSMART beginning April 1st. The deadline to apply for endowed opportunities is May 31st.
Step 7: Submit Your Immunizations
At UAB, all students have a “Patient Portal” to house (online only) records of healthcare info, including immunizations. You’re required to upload proof of these immunizations to your Patient Portal (instructions at www.uab.edu/newstudentshots).
- MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
- Meningococcal (meningitis), and
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
In addition, some (not all) students will be notified through their UAB Patient Portal that Tuberculosis will be required. Students entering upper-level courses in the School of Optometry students may need additional immunizations. Notification of those required immunizations will come from the academic school. Before you get any new vaccinations, set up your UAB Patient Portal and check your immunization requirements. If you have questions, contact UAB Student Health and Wellness at the contact options below:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
205-934-3581
At UAB, all students have a “Patient Portal” to house (online only) records of healthcare info, including immunizations. You’re required to upload proof of these immunizations to your Patient Portal (instructions at www.uab.edu/newstudentshots).
- MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
- Meningococcal (meningitis), and
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
In addition, some (not all) students will be notified through their UAB Patient Portal that Tuberculosis will be required. Students entering upper-level courses in the School of Optometry students may need additional immunizations. Notification of those required immunizations will come from the academic school. Before you get any new vaccinations, set up your UAB Patient Portal and check your immunization requirements. If you have questions, contact UAB Student Health and Wellness at the contact options below:
205-934-3581
Step 8: Submit Health Insurance
If you’re a full-time student, then you must show proof of the required level of health insurance coverage. Don’t have private coverage? Then you’ll be automatically enrolled in UAB’s Student Health Insurance Plan, and the cost of that insurance will be added to your bill. If you do have private insurance, you must submit a completed waiver form AND proof of personal insurance coverage by the first day of class. Failure to submit proof of your personal insurance will automatically enroll you in UAB's Student Health Insurance Plan and the premium will be added to your student bill.
Have questions? Go to student health insurence waivers website Opens an external link. for answers!
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
205-934-3581
If you’re a full-time student, then you must show proof of the required level of health insurance coverage. Don’t have private coverage? Then you’ll be automatically enrolled in UAB’s Student Health Insurance Plan, and the cost of that insurance will be added to your bill. If you do have private insurance, you must submit a completed waiver form AND proof of personal insurance coverage by the first day of class. Failure to submit proof of your personal insurance will automatically enroll you in UAB's Student Health Insurance Plan and the premium will be added to your student bill.
Have questions? Go to student health insurence waivers website Opens an external link. for answers!
205-934-3581
Step 9: Make a Reservation for New Student Orientation
Orientation will take place exactly one week before classes on Monday. During the three-day event, you will receive your ONE Card (UAB ID), mailbox, locker, learn about support services, meet other new students, and much more.
Orientation will take place exactly one week before classes on Monday. During the three-day event, you will receive your ONE Card (UAB ID), mailbox, locker, learn about support services, meet other new students, and much more.
Step 10: Send Final Transcript
Please be sure to send your transcript to the Office of Student Affairs. If you do not submit all required transcript(s), unfortunately, you will NOT be permitted to begin classes with your cohort.
Please be sure to send your transcript to the Office of Student Affairs. If you do not submit all required transcript(s), unfortunately, you will NOT be permitted to begin classes with your cohort.
The Advanced International Optometry Degree Program (AIODP) offers non-US trained optometrists, either with a Doctorate Degree in Optometry/Ophthalmology or with a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Optometry from an accredited recognized International school/college of optometry and/or an international medical school, the opportunity to earn a Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. The UAB School of Optometry is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.
Application Deadline
Applications are being accepted for the class entering January 2025 via OptomCAS through April 1, 2024.
AIODP Admissions Requirements
- Doctorate Degree in Optometry/Ophthalmology, Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Optometry from an accredited recognized international school/college of optometry with a GPA of at least a 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
- Successful completion of at least one year of direct clinical care
- Must meet all admission requirements of the UAB International Student Services Office
- Three letters of recommendation from former teachers, mentors or employers
- For any student who does not speak English as a primary language, TOEFL iBT scores must be provided through OptomCAS. The Home Edition of TOEFL is accepted
- AIODP application requirements
- Application forms must be complete
- Primary application at www.optomcas.org. UAB Supplemental Application at UABSO Supplemental Application for Admission. Note your interest in the AIODP program in the comments section on the supplemental application.
- Submit official transcripts from each college/university and optometry school to either Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES) for a course-by-course evaluation
- Personal Essay
- OAT scores if available (not required)
- Application forms must be complete
Interview Process
- Qualified applicants may be invited to an initial online interview. A second, in-person interview at the UAB School of Optometry will be required of final applicants before acceptance into the program.
- Clinical test to evaluate entry-level clinical eye examination skills
- Candidates must show clinical proficiency commiserate with end of 2nd year traditional optometry students and pass a Comprehensive Practical Examination (CPE).
- Case-based clinical test to evaluate critical thinking and familiarity with optometric care
- Meet with the AIODP Admissions Committee
Accreditation
The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) serves as the accrediting body for professional optometric degree (O.D.) programs in the United States and Canada. The UAB School of Optometry is accredited by the ACOE, and the scope of accreditation includes the AIODP.
Tuition
- In-State Tuition: $9,945.71/semester
- Out of State Tuition: $18,004/semester
AIODP Curriculum 2024-2026
Length of program: 29 months, 7 semesters
AIODP students will begin the program in January and join the traditional 2nd year optometry class for four of the six courses spring semester. AIODP students will also be enrolled in the AIODP Ocular Pharmacology course and Clinical Skills Lab during spring. The Clinical Skills Lab is a customized, hands-on lab designed to address any clinical skills identified during the admissions exam requiring remediation or practice to ensure students are prepared to enter clinic. Summer semester, the Integrated Human Physiology course provides the AIODP students with an essential review of human physiology and pathology. AIODP students successfully meeting the requirements of the Clinical Skills Lab will enter clinical care during the initial summer semester. Beginning in Fall, AIODP students will be fully integrated in the program taking classes with the traditional 3rd year OPT students. The final year of the program, AIODP students complete the 4th year clinical rotations and externships prior to graduation.
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Spring 2024
January 2 – May 3, 2024
Course Spring 00 Instructor Clinical Skills Lab TBD J. Craig AIDOP Posterior Seg I 2 sem/32 clk hrs M. Swanson AIDOP + OPT2 Anterior Seg 5 sem/96 clk hrs C. Pate AIDOP + OPT2 Ocular Pharmacology 4 sem/64 clk hrs C. Turner AIDOP Clinicolegal 2 sem/24 clk hrs TBD AIDOP + OPT2 Optometric Clinical Seminar 1 sem/13 clk hrs B. Steele AIDOP + OPT2 -
Summer 2024
May 13 – August 9, 2024
Course Spring 00 Instructor Integrated Human Physiology 2.5 sem/24 clk hrs C. McNicholas AIDOP Systemic Pharmacology 2 sem/18 clk hrs J. Ziemanski/C. Turner/A. Logan AIDOP + OPT2 Ophthalmic Imaging 2 sem/18 clk hrs K. Brown AIDOP + OPT2 Primary Care CLN* 3 sem/96 clk hrs T. Call AIDOP + OPT2 Clinical Skills Lab* TBD J. Craig AIDOP *Students will be placed in either PC CLN or CSE based on results skill level at the end of Spring 00
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Fall 2024
August 12 – December 6, 2024
Course Fall 01 Instructor Pediatric Optometry 4 sem/80 clk hrs K. Weise/N. West AIDOP + OPT3 Geriatric Optometry 1 sem/16 clk hrs M. Swanson AIDOP + OPT3 Anomalies of BV II 4 sem/80 clk hrs K. Hopkins AIDOP + OPT3 Low Vision 2 sem/48 clk hrs C. Maharrey AIDOP + OPT3 Contact Lenses I 3 sem/64 clk hrs K. Clore AIDOP + OPT3 Glaucoma 2 sem/24 clk hrs J. Ziemanski AIDOP + OPT3 Posterior Segment II 2 sem/24 clk hrs M. Swanson AIDOP + OPT3 Specialty Clinic Obs/CEC 1.5 sem/48 clk hrs T. Oechslin AIDOP + OPT3 Primary Care Clinic III 3 sem/96 clk hurs T. Call AIDOP + OPT3 -
Spring 2025
January – May 5, 2025
Course Spring 01 Instructor Neuro Optometry 2 sem/32 clk hrs M. Swanson AIDOP + OPT3 Assessment of Systemic Dz 3 sem/62 clk hrs A. Logan AIDOP + OPT3 Clinical Management 2 sem/48 clk hrs A. Rothstein AIDOP + OPT3 Injections and Minor Sx 3 sem/56 clk hrs T. Call AIDOP + OPT3 Ophthalmic Lasers 1 sem/16.5 clk hrs B. Steele AIDOP + OPT3 Contact Lenses II 3 sem/56 clk hrs J. Craig AIDOP + OPT3 Specialty Clinic Obs/CEC 2 sem/64 clk hrs T. Oechslin AIDOP + OPT3 Primary Care Clinic IV 3 sem/96 clk hrs T. Call AIDOP + OPT3 -
Summer 2025
May – August 2025
Course Summer 01 Instructor Primary Care Clinic V 2 sem/24 clk hrs T. Call AIDOP + OPT3 Pediatrics Clinic I 2 sem/24 clk hrs K. Weise AIDOP + OPT3 Ocular Disease I 2 sem/24 clk hrs M. Swanson AIDOP + OPT3 Contact Lens Clinic I 2 sem/24 clk hrs A Gordon AIDOP + OPT3 Special Rotations III 2 sem/24 clk hrs T. Oechslin AIDOP + OPT3 Externship I (full semester) 20 sem/480 clk hrs C. Turner AIDOP + OPT3 Externship I (half semester) 10 sem/240 clk hrs C. Turner AIDOP + OPT3 -
Fall 2025
August – December 2025
Course Fall 02 Instructor Primary Care Clinic VI 4 sem/128 clk hrs T. Call AIDOP + OPT4 Pediatrics Clinic II 4 sem/128 clk hrs K. Weise AIDOP + OPT4 Ocular Disease II 4 sem/128 clk hrs M. Swanson AIDOP + OPT4 Contact Lens Clinic II 4 sem/128 clk hrs A Gordon AIDOP + OPT4 Special Rotations IV 4 sem/128 clk hrs T. Oechslin AIDOP + OPT4 Externship I or II 20 sem/640 clk hrs C. Turner AIDOP + OPT4 -
Spring 2026
January – May 2026
Course Spring 02 Instructor Primary Care Clinic VII 4 sem/128 clk hrs T. Call AIDOP + OPT4 Pediatrics Clinic III 4 sem/128 clk hrs K. Weise AIDOP + OPT4 Ocular Disease III 4 sem/128 clk hrs M. Swanson AIDOP + OPT4 Contact Lens Clinic III 4 sem/128 clk hrs A Gordon AIDOP + OPT4 Special Rotations V 4 sem/128 clk hrs T. Oechslin AIDOP + OPT4 Externship I or II 20 sem/640 clk hrs C. Turner AIDOP + OPT4
Southern Regional Education Board contract positions are currently available to students from the following states:
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- South Carolina
Applicants must be certified as residents of the states from which they apply. Students accepted to the Southern Regional Education Board contract program pay in-state tuition.
Note: All contract positions are subject to yearly approval by the state legislatures. Selected students accept the contract positions with the understanding that their sponsoring state could possibly change the terms of the contract program agreement at their discretion.
Georgia
Dr. Barbara L. Brown
Asst. Vice Chancellor for Transitional and General Education
Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
270 Washington Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30334-1450
(404) 962-3081
Email:
Louisiana
Shannon Harris
Louisiana Board of Regents
602 North Fifth Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3677
(225) 219-2732 | Fax: (225) 612-6508
Email:
Mississippi
Shirley Mitchell
Program Administrator
Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 432-6664
Email:
South Carolina
Kenita Pitts
Program State Coordinator, Academic Common Market and Regional Contracts
1122 Lady Street, Suite 300
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 856-0037 | Fax: (803) 737-2297
Email:
The UAB School of Optometry makes lasting contributions to eye care and vision science by providing education and clinical training to optometry students and postdoctoral residents. The fundamental goal of the four-year professional optometry program is to prepare its students to be the nation’s leaders in providing comprehensive, evidence-based eye care.
Now one of the top optometry programs in the nation, the UAB School of Optometry was one of the first in the U.S. to be fully integrated into an academic health system. As a result, small classes with a target size of 50 students are embedded within the vast network of academic and clinical resources offered by UAB. Internationally recognized faculty in optometry, vision science and ophthalmology teach students within a state-of-the-art clinical practice, students have the opportunities to engage in research.
Admissions Information
Thank you for your interest in the UAB School of Optometry. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early in the admissions cycle because we use a rolling admissions process. The deadline for applications for the class entering fall 2024 is April 1, 2024. A specific major is not required for admission to the UAB School of Optometry, but specific prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation. Applicants must also complete the Optometry Admissions Test (or a comparable exam), submit letters of recommendation, forward academic transcripts and be interviewed at the UAB School of Optometry.
The Admissions Committee is keenly aware of your concerns during these uncertain times of COVID-19. We want to assure you we will show flexibility when accessing your academic record during the semesters effected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Pass/Fail grading scale used for courses, including prerequisite courses, will be accepted whether the grading scale decisions were made by the institution or the student. Ultimately the committee remains committed to admitting the best and brightest students using a holistic assessment process.
Clinical Training
Students at the UAB School of Optometry receive clinical training at UAB Eye Care, affiliated sites throughout the Birmingham area and through the externship program.
Community Outreach
Optometry students at UAB provide numerous screenings and comprehensive eye exams at sites across Alabama and the region through community outreach. Students, faculty and residents collectively examine nearly 25,000 patients per year.
Curriculum
As one of the first optometry schools to be integrated into an academic health center, the UAB School of Optometry offers courses within its Department of Optometry and Vision Science, in addition to courses in other UAB health science departments.
Dual Degree Programs
Students at the UAB School of Optometry can combine their four-year Doctor of Optometry degree with an additional degree that will allow them to better understand the ever advancing field of eye care and equip them to follow a variety of career paths. The UAB School of Optometry has partnered with other UAB schools to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary curriculum in three programs.
Faculty
The expertise of our faculty reflects the full scope of optometric and vision science. While faculty members are primarily clinical optometrists, vision scientists and ophthalmologists also provide direct supervision and training of optometry students and postdoctoral residents. Students learn under the tutelage of faculty in a number of clinics affiliated with the UAB School of Optometry, and faculty are widely published in the scientific and clinical literature.
Scholarships
Scholarship applications will be open from April 1st to May 1st each year for awards made that following academic year.
The UAB School of Optometry offers scholarships and awards that provide financial support for our outstanding Optometry students. Currently, the School has 56 endowed optometry scholarships which were generously given by alumni and friends of the School of Optometry. Some scholarships provide multiple awards. Most awards range in value between $500 and $1500 each, though there are exceptions that have higher award amounts.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition 2023-24 | ||
---|---|---|
Resident | $9,947 per semester | $29,841 per year |
Non Resident | $18,004 per semester | $54,012 per year |
Non-Resident with Merit Scholarship* | $13,337 per semester | $40,012 per year |
Mandatory Fees | ||
1st Year | $1,196 | |
2nd Year | $1,346 | |
3rd Year | $1,346 | |
4th Year | $1,184 | |
Insurance Cost | ||
Health Insurance (can opt out with proof of current coverage) | $2,772 | |
Dental Health Fee (can opt out with proof of current coverage) | $102 |
*98% of our non-resident, non-contract students qualify for the School of Optometry Merit Scholarship.