UMSL College of Optometry

UMSL College of Optometry Welcome to the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry page.

Founded: 1980



Location: Marillac Hall (south-side of campus)



Enrollment: 172 full-time students, 33% male, 66% female



Geographic Representation: 29% from Missouri, 71% from 25 other states with two international student



Degrees Offered: Doctor of Optometry



Faculty: 23 full time, Over 75 part-time adjunct instructors and preceptors 100% hold highest degree in their discipline



Student-to-Faculty Ratio: approximately 8-to-1



Average Class Size: 48



Graduation Rate: 98%



National Board Success Rate: 92% to 100% pass all parts before graduation



Placement: 100% of graduates are employed or attending a residency or graduate school at the time of licensure



First Professional Year Profile: Average OAT scores: 315: average incoming GPA of 3.47

Unique Features: Class size 30% smaller than the average of other schools and colleges of optometry; excellent and diverse clinical experience with over 100 externship sites



Scholarship and Financial Aid: Merit and need-based scholarships, Federal financial aid, Endowment Scholarships, Internal Optometry Scholarships, Military Scholarships, Partners In Education Scholarships. Students enrolled in the professional degree program are selected from a diverse pool of applicants representing all fifty states, the District of Columbia and fourteen countries. During the rigorous four year course of study students demonstrate that they have attained competency to the level of a new practitioner within six domains, [patient care, optometric knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based learning] assessed via a series of examinations, proficiencies and evaluations of clinical skills. In addition, prior to graduation all students have taken the three-part examination administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). In 2013, 97.4% of our students had passed the examinations before graduation compared to the national average of 90.3%.

10/08/2025
Thank you UMSL Daily for covering our alum, Dr. Sarah Frye.
10/07/2025

Thank you UMSL Daily for covering our alum, Dr. Sarah Frye.

Heywood focuses on teaching, training and developing associates working in nearly 600 Walmart vision centers across 20 states.

The MOA leadership and UMSL College of Optometry alumni spent the day on Capitol Hill lobbying Congressional Leaders for...
10/01/2025

The MOA leadership and UMSL College of Optometry alumni spent the day on Capitol Hill lobbying Congressional Leaders for eyecare needs. Pictured from left to right is Dr. Alan Wegener (Class of 2012), Dr. Shelby Baugh Bruner (Class of 2017), Dr. Jennifer Howard (Class of 2008), Dr. Alyssa Foster (Class of 2017), Dr. Angel Simmons (Class of 2003), Dr. Lee Ann Barrett, Executive Director of the MOA (Class of 1985) and Dr. Tom Cullinane (Class of 1996). Thank you to our alumni for advocating better eyecare for all of us.

Thank you to Student Services for providing coffee and donuts in the Focal Point this morning! ☕🍩 We're celebrating all ...
09/26/2025

Thank you to Student Services for providing coffee and donuts in the Focal Point this morning! ☕🍩 We're celebrating all the hard work our students are putting into their midterms. Keep it up—you’ve got this! 💪

Please join us for our fall CE program on November 13, 2025. Dr. Christopher Putnam will be presenting 2 hours of contin...
09/25/2025

Please join us for our fall CE program on November 13, 2025. Dr. Christopher Putnam will be presenting 2 hours of continuing education virtually from 6-8 pm CST.

Thank you UMSL Daily for sharing Dr. Kingsley's story. We are so proud of our alumni!
09/24/2025

Thank you UMSL Daily for sharing Dr. Kingsley's story. We are so proud of our alumni!

A native of Kearney, Nebraska, Kingsley first connected with his new colleagues while studying at UMSL.

Address

7800 Natural Bridge Road, Marillac Hall
St. Louis, MO
63121

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(314) 516-6263

Website

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