 During the transition from 1966 to 1969, a few students of high academic standing were allowed to complete the additional (then optional) sixth year for the first-ever Doctor of Optometry (OD) degrees awarded by the University of California.The first entire class to receive OD degrees graduated in 1970, after completing four undergraduate years and two graduate years.Completion of an undergraduate degree (BS or BA) became a prerequisite for admission in 2002, and in 2003, the Optometry curriculum became part of the University of California Graduate Division as a four-year professional doctoral-level program.