Overview

These are two challenging degree programs, but we've designed the curriculum so you can earn each degree side-by-side in the four years it takes you to complete optometry school. Your optometric education will start with classroom work, where you'll study topics such as optics, gross anatomy, eye movements, public health optometry, pediatric eye care, and more.

The Optometry - Vision Science OD/MS program, which involves a combination of basic science, research and clinical training, is for students who have outstanding scholastic qualifications and are highly motivated to pursue careers as clinician-scientists.

Then you'll spend lots of time in the clinic, learning by practicing on actual patients at The University of Alabama at Birmingham and off-site clinics. Meanwhile, we'll want you to sit down with a faculty mentor to discuss your goals for completing your MS. Our program focuses research on ocular biology, systems neuroscience, biomedical optics, and patient-based vision research. Before you graduate, you'll defend a thesis based on your research. In the end, we want you to be a true vision expert.

Fast Facts:

Classes at the School of Optometry are small, with about 50 students per class, which allows participants to engage with the program's internationally recognized faculty.
Collaborate with the departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, Psychology, and more.

Programme Structure

Courses:

Fundamentals in Health Sciences
Geometric and Clinical Optics
Basic Science and Clinical Optometry
Ocular Anatomy
Physiology of the Eye
Biochemistry of the Eye

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-05-11 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-01 00:00:00
Starting 2026-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-01-12 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

More details

International applicants should apply at least six months in advance of deadlines to ensure processing of all Visa paperwork.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

33 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Birmingham, United States

Disciplines

Optometry View 25 other Masters in Optometry in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

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98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Three letters of recommendation
Resume or curriculum vitae
Personal statement/essay
Official transcripts from undergraduate degrees along with transcripts from other institutions where transfer credits were obtained
Minimum undergraduate GPA of at least a B (3.0) average
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional. If applicant has taken the GRE, scores may be submitted along with the application.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

17985 USD / year

≈ 17985 USD / year
Out-of-State

17050 USD / year

≈ 17050 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

6908 USD / year

≈ 6908 USD / year

Living costs

Birmingham

United States

1019 - 1648 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Optometry - Vision Science.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Fast Facts:

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Birmingham

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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