The nation's premier independent optometry college, training eye care leaders since 1932.
Southern College of Optometry offers a Doctor of Optometry (OD) program as its primary degree. The curriculum integrates classroom instruction with clinical training through the college's own Eye Center, which serves as a teaching facility. Students gain hands-on experience in adult and pediatric primary care, cornea and contact lens services, advanced ocular disease management, and vision therapy. The college also offers postgraduate residency programs in specialized areas including pediatric optometry, vision rehabilitation, cornea and contact lenses, and low-vision care.
The Eye Center at SCO is a 46,000-square-foot facility established in 2002, serving over 60,000 patients annually. It features 70 fully equipped examination rooms, 14 advanced technology-based testing spaces, retinal laser and digital angiography centers, a full-service optical shop, and on-site ophthalmology services. The center functions as a teaching hospital, providing comprehensive eye care to patients from Memphis, West Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, and serves as the primary clinical training ground for students.
The college's main campus in Memphis includes multimedia classrooms, laboratories, faculty and administrative offices, a library, a student center, and a computer learning resource center. Students have access to housing resources, student organizations, and campus events. The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence, established in 2005, supports professional development. The college provides counseling services, financial aid resources, and maintains active student ambassadors and organizations.
SCO accepts both domestic and international students. The college offers prerequisite course guidance, tips for competitive applicants, and multiple pathways to admission. International students receive dedicated support including Canadian student FAQs and specialized financial aid information. The college hosts online information sessions, campus visits, and supplemental application fee waivers to support prospective students in the application process.