Home • In Chicago • Housing Housing Find the place you belong. Day in the Life Student Blog Housing Clubs & Organizations Health & Safety You have two options when choosing housing in Chicago: living at the RC or living off campus. Living at the Residential Complex There is no more convenient place to live than the RC. Located directly across the street from ICO, you will have direct access to ICO facilities just a few steps away. Especially for first- and second-year students, the RC provides a terrific opportunity to get to know your class better. Throughout the year, many events are organized by the RC team. Most first-year students start by living in a suite with other first-year students and if they choose to stay, move upstairs to private apartments during their second and third years. Some students even choose to stay in the RC all four years! ICO partners with IIT to provide dining options for our students. Their cafeteria is about a three minute walk from ICO. Students who live in a single or large single room in a suite are required to enroll IIT's Block230 meal plan. Show me the R.C.! 2024-25 ROOM RATES Rates listed per person, per academic quarter Housing in Chicago For those who want a bit of distance between work and home or those who are moving to the city with a partner or a furry friend, there are many options to rent as well. Most students will choose to live in one of three areas: around ICO (the Bronzeville neighborhood), in Bridgeport, the nearest neighborhood to ICO, or in the South Loop (downtown!) If you come from the east or west coast, rent is usually more affordable in Chicago. If you come from a smaller town, you may find the rental prices high in Chicago. For its size, Chicago is a relatively inexpensive city. Chicago has a great public transit system that is a great way to travel and avoid traffic jams. For those commuting via car, your search can be expanded, but you can expect a significant commute as streets in Chicago get crowded, especially during rush hour. Housing Insecurity Support In accordance with the Illinois Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act , the Illinois College of Optometry is committed to supporting students that may be at-risk of housing insecurity. Click here for more information.

Home Consumer Information Housing Insecurity Support In accordance with the Illinois Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act , the Illinois College of Optometry is committed to supporting students that may be at-risk of housing insecurity. Debra Albers , Director of Student Engagement, is the IBHE designated House Liaison for ICO. Together with other staff members in the Student Affairs office, they support students by connecting them to on- and off-campus resources removing barriers so a student can succeed in their studies. The HOUSE Liaison Process Who qualifies for support under the Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act? The  Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act supports “students experiencing shelter and care and includes a homeless individual as defined under the federal homelessness” or “homeless student[s]” defined as: “An individual enrolled in an institution who lacks or is at imminent risk of lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence or whose parent or legal guardian is unable or unwilling to provide McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act . Likewise, HOUSE liaisons support "student(s) in care," which is any person regardless of age who is or was under the care and legal custody of the department of children and family services. Students who are at risk of immediate housing insecurity should work directly with Assistant Dean for Student Success, Beth Karmis . What do the HOUSE liaisons do? HOUSE liaisons serve as a liaison for students experiencing housing insecurity by connecting them to on and off campus resources. Those on campus working with students include the Dean of Student Affairs, the Assistant Dean for Student Success, the Financial Aid Coordinator, and the Director of Student Engagement. Resources off-campus include but are not limited to social service agencies, apartment rental services, and shelters. The liaison is also responsible for gathering and reporting key data (no names or personal information) on this student population to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, including the graduation and retention rate and the number of homeless students and students in care enrolled at ICO each year.  What if I need housing outside of the academic year? For all students the HOUSE liaison will work with you to develop a plan to mitigate your housing insecurity. Enrolled students who are deemed as a “homeless student” or “student experiencing homelessness” during a designated academic break (e.g., winter & summer breaks) may be eligible for on-campus housing if there is availability.  Indicators of a housing insecure student Some common identifiers include: Residing with friends in a temporary living space (e.g., couch) Having no place to live in-between leases or academic break periods Overly concerned about how to complete documentation needed for the institution that requires parental signatures Difficulty providing an address Giving vague answers about their living situation Stressed about where they will be living during the summer Hunger Wearing the same clothes repeatedly Exhaustion Expressing feeling like their only option is to drop out of school Additional Resources Below is a list of campus and community resources available to support students who are experiencing homelessness or do not have stable housing. Emergency Assistance: Local Community Resources: If you or a student you know is seeking information about local area shelters, drop-in centers, food pantries, and other resources, below you will find searchable guides with customizable filters, including zip code and eligibility requirements. Streetlight Chicago : Streetlight Chicago is a project of the  Chicago Coalition for the Homeless  that provide up-to-date information on critical resources like shelter, food, and health care. Findhelp : Findhelp's network connects people seeking help (Seekers) and verified social care organizations that serve them. Find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more. Homeless Shelter Directory also provides information on other services like Food Banks, Free Dental Centers, Free Rehab Center and Free Mental Health Centers. Food: Saint James Catholic Church—Food Distribution Center 2907 South Wabash Avenue Chicago, IL 60616 Regular Pantry Program - St. James Food Pantry distributes food on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 9–11 a.m. If you would like to get help, call 312.842.1919 ext. 215 or visit the pantry during its regular operating hours. Emergency Program Emergency services are available to all clients with social service referrals. Emergency food, infant formula, and diapers are provided Monday through Thursday between 9–11 a.m. Lunch Program for Persons Without Housing The Lunch Program began in 2005 to address the needs of people without housing who have no way of cooking or refrigerating food. Lunches are served Monday through Thursday from 1–3 p.m. Second Saturday of the Month Pantry Program St. James Food Pantry participates in the Food Depository’s Mobile Pantry program to provide supplemental perishable and non-perishable food products to individuals on the second Saturday of the month from 9–11 a.m. This service is designed to ensure that all people in Cook County have access to food during times not typical for food distribution. Matthew House 3728 South Indiana Avenue Chicago, IL 60653 Matthew House, a nonprofit and community-based organization, provides food, daytime shelter, permanent supportive housing, and supportive services to men, women, families, and children who are experiencing or at risk of becoming homeless.

Home Consumer Information Admissions Policy As a graduate professional program, ICO admits only those students who have previously completed a baccalaureate degree or those who have completed either 90 semester/135 quarter hours of undergraduate work in good standing from an accredited undergraduate degree program. All candidates for ICO Admission must meet the following criteria to enter into our Doctor of Optometry program. For consideration of admissions to the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), applicants must successfully complete the outlined prerequisites listed below with a grade of “C” or better from a regionally accredited institution. Completion of additional science coursework, preferably in human-based biological science is strongly recommended. Coursework may be planned or in-progress at the time of application. ICO will accept Advanced Placement (AP) courses for the prerequisites if the minimum number of credit hours is met. AP courses must appear on an applicant’s official college transcript or in a letter from the institution’s Registrar where the AP coursework was awarded. ICO accepts applications from all majors. REQUIRED PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK Course Minimum Semester Hours Minimum Quarter Hours 6 3 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 3 English Composition/Literature Or similar graded non-remedial writing courses. One course in public speaking is acceptable. College Calculus Pre-calculus is not acceptable. Statistics Business statistics is not recommended. Psychology statistics or biostatistics are acceptable. Biology with Laboratory General biology, physiology, zoology and comparative anatomy are all acceptable. Botany does not apply. Microbiology with Laboratory Bacteriology is also acceptable. General Chemistry with Laboratory Inorganic Chemistry is also acceptable. Organic Chemistry Laboratory is not required. Physics with Laboratory The sequence does not need to be calculus-based. Psychology Both introductory and upper-level psychology courses are acceptable. Social Science Economics, political science, anthropology, sociology or an additional psychology course are acceptable. 9 4.5 4.5 9 4.5 9 4.5 9 4.5 4.5 The following areas will be taken into consideration as applications are reviewed: Academic History (GPA’s/transcripts, prerequisite courses, and bachelor’s degree(s)) OAT and/or GRE scores Letters of Recommendations (2) Professional Knowledge (shadowing, observation, internships, extracurricular activities, as well as knowledge of pertinent websites and publications in the profession) ICO has rolling admissions. Applicants are not required to have completed all admissions requirements at the time of application. As long as applicants complete the OAT by the application deadline and have a plan to successfully complete the academic requirements by August of their desired year of entry an applicant can apply. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications to ICO must be initiated via the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS) starting at the end of June of each year and must be submitted by the application deadline each year. The OptomCAS Online Application includes a personal statement & fee. The following items are to be submitted to OptomCAS: Official Transcript(s) Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) and/or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (Only scores reported within the last two years are acceptable.) Letters of Recommendations: Professor or an Academic/Pre-Health Advisor. Pre-health faculty committee letters are also acceptable. We do not accept letters from research supervisors or teaching assistants (TAs). Practicing Optometrist (non-relative) TOEFL, if English is a second language After receiving an applicant’s completed application from OptomCAS, applicants can expect to hear back regarding their application status within 3-4 weeks via email. For those deemed competitive, applicants are invited to interview and complete the online Interview Profile Form (essay & Pre-Optometry Coursework Sheet). Due to COVID-19, interviews are taking place virtually, instead of on campus. Interviews are conducted mid-September through the end of April and are conducted primarily by faculty and/or college administrators. Applicants are notified of their decision within 2-3 weeks of their interview date. ICO does accept applications from applicants who have previously applied or looking to transfer from another optometry school. To re-apply, applicants must apply through OptomCAS and provide updated transcripts (if applicable). It is recommended re-applicants call the Office of Admissions to schedule a counseling session prior to reapplying. Transfer applicants (those who are currently enrolled in good standing at an optometry school) must contact the Office of Admissions for instructions on how to apply. If an applicant was dismissed or no longer in good standing at an optometry school, the applicant must apply through OptomCAS. Any applicants who previously attended an optometry school will be considered for a seat in the first-year class. Only after gaining acceptance can an applicant apply for advanced standing. ICO accepts applications from international applicants. International applicants must fulfill all general admissions requirements and apply through OptomCAS. For those educated outside of the United States or Canada, or if an applicant’s transcripts are not in English, the transcripts must be submitted to an official evaluation service. ICO accepts transcript evaluations from the World Education Services and Educational Credential Evaluators. The final report must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. Applicants for whom English is a second language must demonstrate proficiency in both written and spoken English. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants for whom English is a second language. If an applicant feels compelled to forego this examination, a written waiver request must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. International students who are selected for admissions to the program must present proof of financial responsibility mid-June of their admitted year. Evidence of financial responsibility will allow ICO to issue the student an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) which must be presented to the US Consular Office in their home country (or, for Canadian citizens, at the port of entry/Canadian border) to apply for an F-1 nonimmigrant visa. International accepted candidates will use the following documents to apply for an F-1 Visa: Form I-20 AB Evidence of English ability Evidence of intent to depart the US after completion of studies Passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay Financial support documentation Student and Exchange Visitor Information System fee receipt In addition, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations require that individuals seeking status as an F-1 nonimmigrant student pay a $350 fee to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student Exchange Visitor Program, including the administration and maintenance of SEVIS. Student and exchange visitors will have the options to pay with a check by mail or with a credit card via the Internet. The DHS will also accept fee payment from a third party, either in the US or abroad. For current SEVIS fee information, applicants should refer to the US Immigration & Customs Enforcement website. As applicants navigate the application process, they are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions should they have any questions and/or updates to their application.

Home • Events Events at Illinois College of Optometry White Coat Ceremony Practice Opportunities Commencement Homecoming Throughout the year, our alumni and students come together. These are opportunities not only to connect or reminisce, but to network and to build out the strong ICO community, and most importantly to celebrate every stage of the optometric journey. White Coat Ceremony This commemorates our students’ entry into the clinic. The donning of the white coat not only represents a shift in their education from didactic to more clinical, but also reinforces our commitment to the IEI’s patients. White Coat Ceremony Practice Opportunities Symposium There are so many paths you can take as an optometrist. Whatever you want to do, there is an ICO alum who has already done something similar. This is your day to connect and to learn from them. Explore POS Explore Past Events We have thousands of pictures uploaded to Flickr. Perhaps you'll even find yourself! Explore More Commencement No day is quite as special to us as the day you become a Doctor of Optometry. After four hard years of intense work, we celebrate and recognize you on this momentous day. Commencement Homecoming There is no better way for alumni to reconnect than to attend one of our homecoming events. Held yearly, it gives you an opportunity to connect with both old and new faces. Homecoming

To apply to ICO, prospective students must complete a series of college-level, pre-optometry school courses. Home • Alumni • Get Involved • Alumni Association Alumni Association Our largest alumni organization Alumni Association Alumni Council Ambassador Program Host Prospective Students Precept Externs Upon graduating, every student at the Illinois College of Optometry automatically becomes a member of the ICO Alumni Association. Membership is free and includes graduates of our legacy institutions - the Northern Illinois College of Optometry (NICO,) Chicago College of Optometry (CCO,) and Monroe College of Optometry (MCO.) Alumni Association Scholarship The Alumni Association Scholarship was initiated by the ICO Alumni Council in 2011. Since that time 23 scholarships have been awarded to 4th year students.   Each year, the ICO Alumni Council asks 4th year students to submit an essay describing their service and leadership while an ICO student. They also include how they will continue to lead and serve ICO and the optometric profession as an alumnus. Additionally, a portion of the scholarship funds are offered to an admission candidate to help ICO recruit the best and brightest students into our entering class each fall. All funds have been generously donated by alumni. If you would like to help a student, please visit our giving page and select "Alumni Association Scholarship" from the drop down menu. Thank you! Lester Efianayi, OD '21 "Optometry has provided me with a platform, and I will continue to use it to reach and inspire young Black men and women to pursue a career in optometry." READ ESSAY Kimberly Fazio, OD '21 "I have grown into a professional and a confident leader, all thanks to my mentors here." READ ESSAY 2021 Scholarship Recipients

Home • Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions for Illinois College of Optometry Why ICO? Contact ICO Shadow an Optometrist How to Apply Connect Students With Their Future Whether your student is already committed to optometry or is simply exploring health career options, we have resources to assist you. The links and questions below can help you learn both about optometry and ICO: Optometry as a Career What is a Doctor of Optometry? The American Optometric Association defines Doctor of Optometry as the independent primary health care professional for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye. Doctors of Optometry prescribe spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and medications. They provide specialized care in low-vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, and pediatric vision, and perform certain surgical procedures. Optometrists counsel their patients regarding surgical and nonsurgical options that meet their visual needs related to their occupations, avocations, and lifestyles. Source: FutureEyeDoc.org What's life like as an optometrist? One thing that we hear repeatedly from our alumni is just how diverse the optometric experience is. As an optometrist students might open their own private practice or work at a Veteran Affairs office. They could be teaching and precepting future optometry students or they might be treating children in a vision rehabilitation clinic. There are just so many options. You can do all this while building a life you love. The work/life balance of an optometrist is a big reason why students choose a career in optometry. To explore a few of these career paths we recommend you visit Made at ICO and our online viewbook . Why have others chosen optometry? There are several reasons why students choose optometry, but usually it is a combination of three factors: They want to have an impact on their community, and they believe that treating those with visual impairments empowers those individuals. They are attracted to the work/life balance aspect of optometry. Optometrists in most cases have a much more reasonable schedule than many other health care professions. The starting salary and salary thereafter is significantly higher than the national average. According to the AOA, the average net income of an optometrist in 2021 was around $168,193. Another big reason optometrists love what they do is because of the strong doctor-patient relationships that optometrists have. Optometric patients are loyal, and they often stay with the same doctor for years and even decades. With frequency the bond between the patients and the doctors grows. At the IEI, that’s a big reason doctors come back. To hear some of our patient stories, we recommend viewing our It’s More Than Just Eyes videos. About ICO Why ICO? We exclusively teach future doctors of optometry, meaning our curriculum is built with optometrists in mind. As one of the largest optometry schools in the nation, we have a diverse array of faculty with different specializations. Our students also score well above average on the national board exams. This is in large part because of our rich clinical experience that we provide throughout a student’s optometric education. To get a better understanding of how we have built our curriculum, please visit our courses and curriculum page. What are ICO students like? One thing we hear over and over again is how much of a sense of a community there is between our students. Students are not here to compete against one another, but rather to support and to encourage one another on their optometric journey. Throughout our students’ four years, they frequently interact with both upper and lower classmen. Through our student success center, upperclassmen serve as academic coaches and tutors and. Students also interact with in the clinic. For example, during the Clinical Assistant Program first years follow third years. Many students say it’s a fantastic way for them to see just how far they will have advanced in only a few years! Like our doctors and preceptors, our students are committed to our patients, and we often hear that they chose ICO specifically because of our rich clinical experience. To learn more about student life, we recommend visiting our In Chicago page . What is the clinical experience like at ICO? Our clinical experience is one of the things we are most proud of at ICO. We get students into clinic within the first quarter of their first year. By the second year, they have acquired the needed skills and will perform eye exams on their own. We also work hard to ensure that students are prepared for what they encounter in the clinic. We do this by ensuring that there is significant crossover between what students learn in the classroom and labs and the patients they encounter in the clinic. Given our location, we treat an underserved population, and our patients come with all types of issues from common refractive issues to sight-threatening diseases. Our location is critical to providing our students with world class clinical education. To learn more about our clinical experience. We highly recommend visiting our page In the Clinic. How does ICO prepare their students? 2022 marks our 150th anniversary. That means we have been preparing optometry students for nearly 150 years. As optometry has advanced and become more clinical, we too have become more focused. The combination of excellent faculty, state-of-the-art equipment and an immersive and rich clinical experience means that we prepare students very well both for the NBEO and for whatever type of practice students wish to pursue afterwards. Our long history also means we have the largest optometry alumni network in the US. Students connect with alumni both during Homecoming and during the Practice Opportunities Symposium – our yearly networking event. However, our alumni are ready to walk with our students from shadowing through when they are out in practice as ODs. Our externship program is also exceptional. Few optometry schools have as many externship opportunities as ICO. This allows students to explore the many specialties and modalities they might be interested in as optometrists. What is optometry school really like? Optometry school is a professional health degree program, and there is no denying it will be a lot of hard work. That being said, students will have a strong support network and they will have faculty working closely with them both in the clinic and in the classroom to ensure that they get the support needed to succeed as optometrists. To learn more about life at ICO and optometry school in particular, we recommend visiting the ICO Difference page on why.ico.edu. What degrees does ICO confer? Students who pass all four years of optometric training will graduate with a doctor of optometry degree. This, along with passing the National Board of Examiners in Optometry will allow citizens to practice as an optometrist in the United States. In rare instances, we also have students join ICO before completing their undergraduate degree. Students who apply for this degree and meet the required pre- requisites will also graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Vision Sciences. What is the Bachelor of Science in Visual Science (BSVS) degree? The BSVS degree is available only to those students who entered ICO without a bachelor’s degree. However, the BSVS Degree is not a terminal degree and does not connote graduation from the Illinois College of Optometry. The degree is only awarded with the Doctor of Optometry degree at Commencement, and it requires an application available from the Registrar’s Office. The BSVS degree includes humanities, social studies, and human-related biological sciences courses taken at the undergraduate level in combination with courses taken within the ICO curriculum. Requirements for the BSVS degree can be viewed here. More details regarding eligibility are available on the application and within ICO's Student Guide. Application Process What courses are needed before applying? To review our pre-reqs, we recommend students visit our “Due Dates and Pre-Reqs" page. How do students apply to ICO? For students interested in applying to ICO, we recommend that they visit the “How to Apply” page on why.ico.edu which gives students step-by-step instructions on how to apply. How do international students apply? The application process as an international student is very similar to the normal application process and we recommend starting on our “how to apply” page . There are a few additional steps required as international students. We recommend they also visit the International Admissions page. What happens after applying? Once you apply, a student’s application will be processed in 1-2 weeks. They will then be invited to an interview. If they are interested in learning more about the interview process, we recommend visiting our interview day page. Financial Aid What courses are needed before applying? For a breakdown of costs and how to fund your education we recommend visiting our Cost of Attendance page. For a full breakdown of four years, you can also our Consumer Information page. How do students apply to ICO? We have access to nearly $500k in scholarships and work hard with students to ensure they take out the most reasonable loans possible. To get a better understanding of scholarships and federal aid, we recommend visiting our federal aid pages and our scholarships page. Living in Chicago What's it like living in Chicago? We recognize that students in a professional degree program want a life outside of the classroom and the clinic. In this way, Chicago has so much to offer. As the third largest city in the United States, it has everything a big city has: great coffee shops, Michelin-starred restaurants, and of course the lakeshore path that moves up and down Chicago. The other thing students quickly realize about Chicago is that there is so much more to Chicago beyond downtown. Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, and allows students to set up their life in a specific neighborhood where Chicago can quickly feel like home. One of the best ways for students to get a better understanding of what student life in Chicago is like is to follow our Instagram page. Where we have had many takeovers and often post about our favorite places. What's it like on campus? One of the big reasons students choose to go to ICO is because everything is conveniently located next to one another. Within five minutes you can access labs, clinic, and the classroom. We are also close to downtown. In three public transit stops, students can be soaking up those downtown views. There are so many reasons to choose ICO. To learn more about Life in Chicago we recommend visiting our Living in Chicago page and our page dedicated to student life in Chicago. Connect with ICO Is ICO visiting a place near me? If your students are interested in learning more about ICO, there is no better way to connect than to speak with one of our admissions advisors. To see when ICO might be visiting your school, you can visit our recruitment events page. Can I visit ICO? If you or your student is interested in visiting ICO, we are always happy to host. The best place to start planning your trip is on our how to visit page. If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to us at admissions@ico.edu . Can I talk to a practicing optometrist? For those students who are interested in shadowing an optometrist before they apply to ICO, we are happy to connect them with one of our graduates. If students would like to shadow an optometrist, please have them fill out this form. Additional External Resources The Optometry Admission Test (O.A.T.) OptomCAS: One-stop applicatin for optometry school American Academy of Optometry (AAO) American Optometric Association (AOA) The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)

Home • In the Clinic • Illinois Eye Institute Illinois Eye Institute Serve a community in need. Illinois Eye Institute Research Opportunities Outreach Summer Opportunities Externships Residency Program   Illinois Eye Institute , located steps from the lecture center, is our clinic. As a student, you will rotate through the various service areas from primary eye care to various specialty areas. As part of our community, we have served generations of patients and their families. They bring with them medically complex cases that provide you with the opportunity to see the pathologies that you’re studying in class. In the IEI, you have a chance to make a difference every day in the lives our patients. Clinical Illinois Eye Institute is one of the largest eye care providers in the United States.The field and scope of optometry is growing and we make sure we stay focused on preparing you to practice in your chosen specialty area. We’ve gathered some of our students and faculty to offer a close, personal look at ICO’s clinical experience: Complex Pathology Sabreen Onallah's first case in clinic allowed her to see firsthand a rare and complex pathology. Every day in the clinic presents new opportunities to learn. Confidence in Our Doctors Colin Lee, shares his experience in the Accelerated Clinical program. This program gives you the opportunity to further expand your clinical experience. Leaders in Our Community Dr. Leonard Messner, OD is a member of our administration and also specializes in neuro-opthalmic disease, one of the many clinical aspects you will come across at IEI.

Home • Admissions • Applying to ICO • Shadow an Optometrist Due Dates and Pre-Reqs • Shadow an Optometrist Request information on how to shadow an optometrist near you. Why ICO? How to Apply Contact ICO Shadow an Optometrist This form has been moved! Please click here to Shadow an Optometrist Expected Start Date Please tell us the city and state in which you would ideally like to shadow an optometrist. State or Provience Additional Message (optional)

The Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the world’s leading optometric schools. Thanks to our curriculum, faculty, and clinical resources, ICO graduates enter the real world best prepared to practice. Illinois College of Optometry Make a real difference in optometry and the world. The ICO Difference We are one of the world's leading optometric institutions for good reason. Learn in the heart of Chicago. In Chicago Our location provides you with a diverse array of patients - ultimately making you a better doctor. Work with real patients in the clinic from year 1. We get you into clinic early because we believe you learn best when classes are paired with real-world clinical experiences. In the Clinic Join over 8,000 alumni More connections means better opportunities for your career. In the World Our program is for optometrists, by optometrists. Every course, every lab is built to prepare you to be the best doctor of optometry possible. In the Classroom HEAR FROM FACULTY & STUDENTS What is it really like to. . . support real people in a real clinic? be part of the ICO family? live and study in Chicago? be a Doctor of Optometry? We are a perfect collaboration between a community that wants to give and a community that is in need of service. - Leonard Messner, OD MAKE A DIFFERENCE Real Patient Story from Illinois Eye Institute REAL PATIENTS IN A REAL CLINIC Over 92,000 patient visits in our clinic, Illinois Eye Institute, every year. Why ICO? Make a real difference in optometry and the world. Watch the Film Let's get you started Learn how to apply Schedule a visit Shadow an Optometrist Continuing Education Our annual symposium takes place this month. We will focus on Glaucoma. From diagnosing to treatment, we have a packed schedule! Learn More Recent News Faculty Spotlight: An Interview with Dr. Pang View All News Annual CE Symposium 2022: Glaucoma View All News Pre-Clinical Assessment Honors View All News View All News Catch the very latest on Instagram. Follow ICO on Instagram

ICO is excited to partner with several undergraduate institutions to offer an accelerated entry into our optometry program. Home • In the Classroom • Research at ICO • Concurrent Degree Program Master of Science in Clinical Vision Research Program A Concurrent Degree Program Beginning Fall 2026 Courses & Curriculum Student Resources NBEO Scores Faculty Research at ICO Library The Illinois College of Optometry has a new degree option for students already enrolled in the College’s Doctor of Optometry program. This degree option is a thesis-based, concurrent degree Master of Science in Clinical Vision Research (OD/MS) with the opportunity to graduate with both degrees on schedule with the pre-established OD graduation date. Students may apply to this program during the summer of their second optometric year, and coursework will begin along with other optometric studies during the fall of the second year. During this thesis-based MS program, enrolled students will conduct a clinical research project, take concurrent research-related coursework, develop a written thesis related to their project’s background, methods, and results, and present an oral presentation (public defense) of their work to the ICO community. Along with their enrollment, students will develop a thesis committee comprised of their project advisor(s) and 2-3 additional qualified faculty, one of whom must be from the Student Research and Graduate Studies Committee. The curriculum will consist of concurrent credit for coursework already being completed to fulfill the OD degree along with additional MS graduate courses. Although not a prerequisite to the MS degree program, students who are already participating in the annual ICO Summer Research Program can apply to the MS program and use their Summer Research Program project toward the requirements of the MS degree. Students participate in the Summer Research Program during the summer after their first year of matriculation in the OD program. During the Summer Research Program, students conduct an on-campus, mentored clinical research project under the supervision of ICO faculty members. This may be an attractive option to facilitate requirements for the MS degree program. Program Requirements Successful performance in the Summer Research Program is preferred but not a requirement. Cumulative GPA > 3.0 at end of spring quarter Y1 Enrolled students must remain in good academic standing during the program Must select a graduate research advisor Must select a thesis committee (primary research advisor and 2-3 additional qualified faculty; must include someone from the Student Research and Graduate Programs Committee; can include an external person as needed depending on the project) Application Process No application fee GRE not required Application requires a current curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, and a completed program application Application deadline : Approx July 15 of Y2 academic year Curriculum 54.5 quarterly hours (29.5 hours of dual degree core optometry coursework – already being taken as part of the OD professional program, 9 hours MS graduate courses, and 16 hours toward execution of master’s thesis) Dual degree core courses (29.5 hours) Timeframe corresponds to regular OD degree curriculum. Applied Ocular Anatomy (6.0 hours, Y1) Geometric and Theoretical Optics (7.5 hours, Y1) Vision Science I, II, and III (13.0 hours, Y1/Y2) Ocular pathophysiology (3.0 hours, Y2) MS graduate courses (9 hours) Ethics in Research (1.0 hour, Y2) Biostatistics and Research Design in Biomedical Research I (2.0 hours, Y2 or Y3) Scientific and Clinical Writing (1.0 hour, Y2) Biostatistics and Research Design in Biomedical Research II (2.0 hours, Y3) MS Research Seminar (Research Seminar A, Research Seminar B, Research Seminar C, 3.0 hours total, 1.0 hour each during three separate quarters, Y2/Y3. Execution of master’s thesis (16 hours) Master’s thesis research hours (12.0 hours total, Y2/Y3) Thesis Proposal Development (2.0 hours, Fall Y2) Thesis Preparation and Defense (2.0 hours, any time after research completion and MS coursework completion) Tuition Tuition covers the 25 additional course hours required for the program, i.e., 9 hours of MS didactic courses, and 16 hours for the master's thesis hours. Charges are incurred according to quarter of course enrollment. Therefore, the distribution of charges will vary during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th professional academic year. Scholarship opportunities are available to enrolled students. Students who participate in the ICO Summer Research Program and subsequently enroll in the MS program receive tuition-free credit hours that are applied toward the MS degree. These include 6.0 credits toward thesis research hours and up to 3.0 credits toward other didactic hours. Office of Admissions CONTACT P. 312-949-7407 E admissions@ico.edu LOCATION Illinois College of Optometry Office of Admissions 3241 S. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60616 CONNECT

ICO gives its students a rich clinical education rooted in biomedical science. Courses include human anatomy, immunology, pharmacology, and more, centered around optometry and the eye. Home • In the Classroom • ICO Faculty ICO Faculty Professors in the classroom are colleagues in the clinic. Courses & Curriculum Student Resources NBEO Scores Faculty Research at ICO Library The journey to OD cannot be made alone. Our talented faculty are here to support you every step of the way. ICO students learn from the same professors in both class and clinic. So, the mentors who teach you about intraocular pressure will be right there the first time you measure it in a patient. Faculty presence assures that ICO graduates are well prepared to practice in today’s world. Megan S. Allen Tahira Bedgood Michael Chaglasian Kelly A. Frantz Kathryn Hohs Alyssa Lancaster Janice McMahon Yi Pang Nicollette L. Purcell Patricia Salazar Denise Skiadopoulos Christine Weber Christine Allison Raman Bhakhri Thomas Collins Geoffrey Goodfellow Erica Ittner Tracy Matchinski Leonard Messner Jaymeni Patel Harneet Randhawa Navjit K. Sanghera William Skoog Janis E. Winters Kashifa Ansari Brittney Brady Samantha Dodda Greta Gregg Valerie Kattouf Matthew McGee Stephanie S. Messner Andria Pihos Daniel K. Roberts Lindsay A. Sicks Ashley Speilburg Xiaohua Zhuang Alaina Bandstra Elyse L. Chaglasian Katie Foreman Jennifer S. Harthan Darren Koenig Mallory McLaughlin Dominick L. Opitz Danielle Piser Anne Rozwat Reneta Simeon Wendy J. Stone Rebecca K. Zoltoski Part Time Faculty Kaori Asano Grace Castells Colleen Govekar Taryn Majewski Catherine Niermann Louise Sclafani Michael Zost Eric Baas Kara Crumbliss David Gurka Michelle K. Man Nathan Okano Shmaila Tahir Stephen Beckerman Robert Donati Dennis Ireland Joseph McCray Mary Flynn Roberts Alex Tan Pamela Boyce Helen M. Gabriel Karina Langle Erik Mothersbaugh Rahnuma Saiyed Bruce Teitelbaum Megan Allen, OD Kaori Asano, OD Eric Bass, OD, FAAO Frederic Banser, MS, OD Stephen Beckerman, OD Pamela Boyce, OD Chelsea Bradley, OD Grace Castells, OD Kara Crumbliss, OD (Hagerman) Colleen Govekar, OD Gary Gunderson, OD, MS David Gurka, PhD, MD Tanya Halikias, OD Dennis Ireland, OD, M Ed Joseph McCray, OD Erik Mothersbaugh, OD, FAAO Mary Flynn Roberts, OD Rahnuma Saiyed, OD Louise Sclafani, OD Shmaila Tahir, OD Alex Tan, OD Snehali Upadhyay, OD Michael Zost, OD Emeritus Faculty Arol Augsburger, OD President Emeritus Sandra S. Block, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD Professor Emeritus Gerald Dujsik, MALS Director of Learning Resources Emeritus Gary Gunderson, OD, MS Associate Professor Emeritus Neil Hodur, OD Professor Emeritus Janice M. Jurkus, OD, MBA Professor Emeritus David Lee, OD, PhD, FAAO Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Optometry and Physiological Optics Gary Lesher, PhD Professor Emeritus Dominick Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD-A Professor Emeritus Alfred Rosenbloom Jr., OD, MA Professor Emeritus - Deceased Darrell Schlange, OD Associate Professor Emeritus of Optometry - Deceased Derrald Taylor, OD, MS Professor Emeritus

Home • In the Clinic • Research Opportunities Research Opportunities Opportunities at every stage of your optometric journey. Illinois Eye Institute Research Opportunities Outreach Summer Opportunities Externships Residency Program Summer Research Program You have the first summer of optometry school off. Many students will choose to go home, but there are some students who choose to stay. For those who choose to stay, the Summer Research Program can be a great opportunity to conduct your own research. More About the Program 3rd Year Research Project or Independent Study During your third year, you will complete an independent study (BVS 403). Every year, 20-25% of our students focus their project on research. The others usually focus on clinical case studies. If you participated in the first-year Summer Research Program, you can expand on that research in this course. There are also opportunities to partner with faculty to help with their on-going research. Optometry is ever-growing. To be able to think both on your feet and to stay up to date with the current optometric literature will help you succeed as an optometrist. Research Assistant Program One way to get involved with research at ICO is as a research work study. As one of the largest optometric clinics in the nation, we have one of the strongest clinical research facilities in the nation. As a research assistant you will get paid to work with faculty on their current research projects. This could range from data entry to working one-on-one with patients. These projects can even lead to the development of your own research projects as you become an active OD. Master of Science in Clinical Vision Research Program The Illinois College of Optometry has a new degree option for students already enrolled in the College’s Doctor of Optometry program. This degree option is a thesis-based, dual degree Master of Science in Clinical Vision Research (OD/MS) with the opportunity to graduate with both degrees on schedule with the pre-established OD graduation date. More About the Program Student Research Awards, Travel Fellowships, and Graduate with Research Honors During your fourth-year capstone over $200,000+ is given out in scholarships and awards, this includes several awards for research projects. Illinois College of Optometry Research Award Illinois College of Optometry Research Award Awarded to one student who has exhibited excellent involvement in research on any topic. Dr. & Mrs. Rudolph H. Ehrenberg Research Awards Dr. & Mrs. Rudolph H. Ehrenberg Research Awards Awarded to students who have exhibited excellent involvement in research in the field of low vision rehabilitation or geriatrics . Dr. Newton K. Wesley Foundation Award Dr. Newton K. Wesley Foundation Award Awarded to students who have exhibited excellent involvement in research in the field of cornea and contact lenses. Travel Fellowships - In addition to these larger awards, we want to make sure that as many students can attend research conferences as possible. We offer several travel fellowships to offset the costs of attending this event. Graduate with Research Honors - If you are significantly involved with research at ICO which usually includes a first-authored publication, you can be granted the degree recognition “Graduation with Research Honors.” Just another way we get celebrate student involvement in research at ICO!