Southern California College of Optometry is a four-year Doctor of Optometry program in Fullerton, California

Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO), part of Marshall B. Ketchum University, trains students to become licensed optometrists through a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. The program runs four years and includes classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical practice with real patients. Graduates take the national licensing exam (NBEO) and state-specific exams to practice optometry.

The school sits in Orange County and draws students from across the United States and internationally. Unlike some optometry schools that are part of larger universities, SCCO is housed within a health sciences university focused primarily on eye care and related fields. This structure means most of the campus resources, faculty, and curriculum center on optometry and vision science rather than being one program among many.

Key Takeaways

  • SCCO offers a four-year Doctor of Optometry degree and requires prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics before admission.
  • The program includes two years of classroom and lab work followed by two years of clinical rotations where students treat patients under supervision.
  • Admission is competitive and based on GPA, standardized test scores (OAT), prerequisite completion, and clinical experience or shadowing hours.
  • Tuition is substantial—around $50,000 to $60,000 per year—and most students borrow through federal and private loans to cover costs.
  • Graduates must pass the NBEO licensing exam and their state's optometry board exam before they can practice independently.

What the four-year curriculum covers

The first two years focus on foundational sciences and optometry theory. Students take courses in ocular anatomy, physiology, optics, pharmacology, and pathology. They also learn how to use diagnostic equipment, perform eye exams, and recognize disease. Lab sessions let students practice on models and equipment before working with patients.

The second two years shift to clinical work. Students rotate through different clinics—primary care, pediatrics, low vision, contact lenses, and disease management—where they examine real patients under faculty supervision. By the end of the program, students have logged hundreds of patient encounters and can perform comprehensive eye exams and diagnose common eye conditions.

SCCO also requires students to complete elective rotations. These might include specialty areas like sports vision, neuro-optometry, or practice management. Some students do rotations at external sites, including community health centers or Veterans Affairs clinics, which exposes them to different patient populations and practice settings.

Prerequisites and what you need before explore

Before you can explore to SCCO, you must complete prerequisite courses at a college or university. These typically include one year of biology with lab, one year of chemistry with lab, one year of organic chemistry with lab, one year of physics with lab, and one semester of biochemistry. Some schools accept microbiology or other life sciences in place of certain requirements—you should check SCCO's current prerequisites on their admissions page because requirements can shift.

You also need to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), a standardized exam that covers natural sciences, physics, chemistry, biology, and reading comprehension. Most applicants take it after completing their prerequisites. Scores are valid for three years.

Beyond coursework and test scores, SCCO looks at clinical experience. This might be shadowing an optometrist, working as an ophthalmic technician, or volunteering in a vision clinic. The school does not require a specific number of hours, but applicants with 50 to 100 hours of exposure to optometry are more competitive than those with none.

How admission decisions work

SCCO uses a rolling admissions process, meaning they review applications as they arrive and send decisions throughout the year. Early applications (submitted in summer or early fall) have a better chance of acceptance because seats fill as the cycle progresses.

The school weighs several factors: your undergraduate GPA (especially in science courses), your OAT score, letters of recommendation (usually three, often from professors or optometrists), your personal statement, and any clinical or volunteer experience. There is no single cutoff score that guarantees admission or rejection—the school looks at your full profile.

Interviews are part of the process for many applicants. If invited, you will meet with admissions staff and current students, answer questions about why you want to become an optometrist, and discuss your background. The interview gives the school a sense of your communication skills and motivation.

Tuition, fees, and how students pay

SCCO's tuition is approximately $50,000 to $60,000 per year, though the exact amount changes annually. Add in fees, books, equipment, and living expenses in Southern California, and the total cost of the four-year program typically ranges from $250,000 to $350,000 depending on whether you live on or off campus and your personal spending.

Most SCCO students borrow money to cover these costs. Federal student loans (Direct Unsubsidized Loans and PLUS Loans) are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Private loans from banks and alternative lenders are also common. Some students work part-time during school, though the demanding curriculum makes full-time work difficult.

SCCO offers some scholarships and grants, but these are limited and competitive. Merit-based scholarships may go to students with high GPAs or test scores. Need-based aid depends on your financial situation as determined by the FAFSA. You should contact the financial aid office directly to learn about current opportunities and important date.

Licensing and what happens after graduation

After you graduate with your OD degree, you cannot practice optometry until you pass licensing exams. The National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) administers a three-part national exam covering basic science, clinical science, and patient care. Most graduates take these exams within a year of graduation.

You also must pass your state's optometry board exam, which tests knowledge of state laws and regulations. Some states accept the NBEO exam as their state exam; others require a separate test. California, where SCCO is located, has its own state board exam in addition to the NBEO.

Once licensed, optometrists can work in private practices, retail chains (like Lenscrafters or Costco), hospitals, clinics, or start their own practice. Some pursue additional training in specialty areas through residencies, which typically take one to two years and focus on areas like pediatric optometry, low vision rehabilitation, or ocular disease.

How SCCO compares to other optometry schools

The United States has 23 accredited optometry schools. SCCO is one of the older programs, founded in 1904, and is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). It is also accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), which is the standard for all U.S. optometry programs.

SCCO's location in Southern California is an advantage if you want to practice in that region after graduation—you will have built connections with local practices and clinics. The school's focus on a health sciences university (rather than being embedded in a large research institution) means the curriculum emphasizes clinical training and patient care over research, which suits students who want to go directly into practice.

If you are comparing SCCO to other schools, consider factors like tuition, location, curriculum emphasis (clinical versus research), and where graduates typically practice. Some schools are stronger in certain specialties or have better connections to specific regions. Visiting schools, talking to current students, and reviewing job placement data can help you decide which program fits your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have shadowing hours before I explore to SCCO?

SCCO does not require a minimum number of shadowing hours, but having some clinical exposure strengthens your process. Most competitive applicants have 50 to 100 hours of experience working with or observing optometrists. If you have none, you should try to gain some before explore, even if it is just a few weeks of shadowing at a local eye care clinic.

Can I take prerequisites at a community college?

Yes. SCCO accepts prerequisite courses from accredited community colleges. However, science courses must be from accredited institutions, and some schools prefer that you complete at least some upper-level science courses at a four-year university. Check SCCO's current prerequisite policy to confirm which courses they will accept from community colleges.

What is the average OAT score for admitted students?

SCCO does not publish a specific average OAT score, but nationally, admitted optometry students typically score in the 300 to 350 range on the OAT (which runs from 200 to 400). Competitive applicants at SCCO likely score in the upper part of that range, though a lower score can be offset by a strong GPA, clinical experience, or other factors.

How long does it take to get licensed after graduation?

Most graduates take the NBEO exam within three to six months of graduation. If you pass all three parts on your first attempt, you can then take your state board exam. The entire process typically takes six months to a year from graduation to full licensure, though some states process licenses faster than others.

What is the job market like for optometrists after graduation?

Optometry has a stable job market. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady demand for optometrists over the next decade. Graduates from SCCO find work in private practices, retail optical chains, hospitals, and community health centers. Starting salaries vary by location and setting but typically range from $100,000 to $130,000 per year, with experienced optometrists earning more.