Pre-Optometry Program | Northern State University

Preparing you for admission into any school of optometry

About The Program

With a career in optometry, you’ll make a clear difference in people’s lives, ensuring the visual health of your patients. While pre-optometry is not a major itself, we’ll match you with a degree program and the necessary coursework required to prepare you for admission into a school of optometry.

Wondering if this program is for you?

This program will be a good fit if you:

Are able to adapt to new techniques and instruments
Have strong communication skills
Are detail oriented
Have a strong mathematical and scientific background
Have good coordination
Are service-oriented
Have strong decision-making skills

Careers

With an optometry degree, you could work in the areas of:

Pediatric optometry
Geriatric optometry
Vision therapy

Internships

At Northern, we believe getting you out of the classroom and into a real-world workplace setting is a critical part of your education. You'll have several opportunities for internships and other forms of experiential learning throughout your time at Northern. Learn more at Student Experiences!

Scholarships

The NSU WolfPACT is the highest guaranteed, four-year scholarship in the region. But that isn't the only scholarship available at Northern. Visit Arts and Sciences Scholarships to learn about other scholarship opportunities!

Courses

Course Requirements

Sample Plans of Study

Plan of Study

Suggested Majors and Minors

Students in our pre-optometry program often major in:

Study Abroad

Experience the world while earning your degree through NSU Study Abroad! With hundreds of opportunities available around the globe, Northern can make your study abroad dream become a reality. Learn more at Study Abroad!

Student Research

At Northern, you'll have the chance to conduct cutting-edge research that can have real-world impacts - while still an undergraduate student. Now with our brand new, state-of-the-art Jewett Regional Science Education Center, the sky is truly the limit. Learn more at Student Research!

Contact Information

Ready to take the next step? Contact us today:

Pre-Optometry Faculty Advisor: Dr. Amy Dolan, 605-626-2352 or amy.dolan@northern.edu

Want to learn more about living and learning at Northern? Contact NSU Admissions today 605-626-2544 or admissions@northern.edu!

Still unsure of a major? We can help! Contact Career Services at 605-626-3007 or careerservices@northern.edu.

Our Faculty

Guangwei Ding

Postdoc. South Dakota State University

Ph.D University of Massachusetts at Amherst

MSc. University of London

DIC. University of London

MSc. Beijing Agricultural University

BSc. Shanxi Agricultural University

Dr. Guangwei Ding joined Northern's chemistry department in 2005. He has served on the editorial boards for the Scientific World Journal and the Journal of Experimental Chemistry, and as a reviewer for Geoderma, Chemosphere, and Organic Geochemistry.

Courses Taught

Chemistry Survey

General Chemistry I

General Chemistry II

Analytical Chemistry

Physical Chemistry I

Physical Chemistry II

Inorganic Chemistry…

Ph.D. Portland State University

B.A. University of Oregon

Dr. Amy Dolan joined Northern's faculty in 2018. She grew up on a homestead in Nikiski, Alaska. Dr. Dolan attended the University of Oregon and graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology and Spanish. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in biology at Portland State University, studying genetics, reproductive biology, mate choice, and reproductive success of eastern kingbirds. Dr. Dolan lives on a farm with her husband Ryan, and their three children: Oliver, Ruthie, and Zet.

Courses Taught

Biology Survey

General Biology

Environmental Biology

Human Biology

Anatomy

Gross Anatomy

Bioethics

Hematology

Histology

Publications

Christopher M, Chutter, Lucas J. Redmond, Nathan W. Cooper, Amy C…

Ph.D. University of South Dakota

M.S. South Dakota State University

B.S. South Dakota State University

A.A. Winona State University

Dr. Alyssa Kiesow joined Northern’s faculty in August 2007. Born in Little Falls, Minn., and raised in St. Cloud, Minn., she is Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, assists with sponsored grants and research, and serves on the South Dakota Academy of Science Executive Committee. She received multiple degrees from state institutions. Dr. Kiesow earned her Ph.D. in biological sciences with a research focus in genetics from the University of South Dakota.

Research Interests

Dr. Kiesow's primary research interests range from genetic structure of animal populations to epigenetics of developing embryos. Recent research focuses on the effects of various toxins on embryonic development in sea stars, sea urchins, and Xenopus laevis.…

Ph.D. Montana State University

M.S. Montana State University

B.S. State University of New York

Dr. John Long joined the NSU faculty in the summer of 2015. He has a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from the State University of New York, a master’s degree in environmental and ecological statistics and a Ph.D. in ecology and environmental sciences, both from Montana State University. His area of expertise is the mathematical and physical aspects of the environment.

Dr. Long is a part of the SEA-PHAGES team trained by Howard Hughes Medical Institute to discover new viruses in environmental samples and to sequence their genome. Dr. Long is a retired U.S. Air Force major with 21 years of service as a B-52 electronic warfare officer.

Courses Taught

Introduction to Physics I and II

University Physics I and II

Biological Statistics I and II

R Programming

Geographic Information…

Dr. George Nora began at Northern State University in 2010 and has been promoted to associate professor of chemistry.

Courses Taught

Organic Chemistry

Ph.D. University of Southern Mississippi

M.S. University of North Dakota

B.S. University of North Dakota

Resume/CV

Dr. Eric Pulis joined Northern's faculty in 2018. Originally from central Minnesota, he attended the University of North Dakota, where he received his B.S. in fisheries and wildlife biology and his M.S. in biology. Dr. Pulis earned his Ph.D. at the University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Coastal Sciences, where his research focused on the taxonomy and systematics of some parasitic flat worms found in fishes. He is currently the advisor for the NSU Environmental Club.

Research Interests

Dr. Pulis's primary research interests are in the ecology, evolution, and diversity of parasites of wildlife and fishes.…

Ph.D. University of South Dakota

M.S. North Dakota State University

B.S. North Dakota State University

Dr. Jodie Ramsay started at NSU in 2001. Her area of expertise is plant science. She grew up in Minnesota and spends much of the summer there, where she co-owns a greenhouse. Dr. Ramsay is the director of NSU Regional Science Fair and serves as the faculty mentor for Rising Scholar (dual credit) biology courses taught across eastern South Dakota.

Courses Taught

Biogeography

Ecology

Environmental Biology

Environmental Science and Conservation

Freshman Seminar

General Biology I

General Biology II

Plants and Civilization

Plant Structure and Function

Plant Systematics

Senior Seminar

Soils and the Environment

…