The Bachelor of Science in Visual Science (BSVS) degree is awarded by ICO and accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The BSVS degree is not a terminal degree and does not connote graduation from the Illinois College of Optometry. Only students entering ICO without a bachelor’s degree are eligible.

Students become eligible to apply for the BSVS degree upon satisfactory completion of all Second Professional Year courses and fulfillment of specific undergraduate course requirements. These include all of the pre-requisite courses plus one year of undergraduate studies in each of the following disciplines: Humanities, Social Studies, and Human-Related Biological Sciences. Please note that these course requirements are in addition to other admission course requirements and are not offered by ICO. Also, candidates for the BSVS degree must have a grade point average of not less than a C (2.00) in each of the required disciplines. For specific information relating to the BSVS degree, students should contact the Office of the Registrar.