The Opticianry program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in today’s Opticianry field. A licensed dispensing optician (LDO) can be described as a visual pharmacist who fills the written prescription orders of Ophthalmologists and Optometrists. The Opticianry program teaches students how to fabricate prescription lenses from semi-finished lens blanks to be inserted into fashionable eyewear worn by the patient. Adjusting and fitting eyewear as well as frame selection and dispensing are also part of the curriculum. The Opticianry program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of Opticianry management. Graduates of the program receive an Opticianry degree.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates with the Associate of Applied Science in Opticianry degree are prepared for positions in doctors’ offices and retail dispensing locations, along with sales positions and positions with wholesale companies.
Accreditation/Approval
The Opticianry degree program is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA), P.O. Box 592, Canton, NY 13617, Phone 315.742.8066. Web: http://www.coaccreditation.com, email: director@coaccreditation.com.
Licensure/Certification
Once students have successfully completed the program and passed the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) exams, they are eligible to complete and submit the application for Licensure Examination to the Georgia State Board of Licensing for Dispensing Opticians, which is comprised of a Contact Lens and Optical Practicum.
Students must be 18 years of age to take the certification exam.
Admissions Criteria
- Submit a completed application and application fee;
- Be at least 16 years of age;
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable
- Meet the following assessment requirements:
| Test |
Reading |
Writing |
Numerical |
Algebra |
| Accuplacer |
64 |
70 |
NA |
57 |
| Accuplacer (Next Gen) |
236 |
249 |
NA |
245 |
| Compass |
79 |
62 |
NA |
37 |
| SAT |
17 |
17 |
NA |
21 |
| SAT |
290 |
290 |
NA |
380 |
| ACT |
16 |
14 |
NA |
17 |
| ASSET |
42 |
41 |
39 |
42 |
| PSAT |
17 |
17 |
NA |
21 |
| GED |
NA |
145 |
NA |
145 |
Opticianry Degree Curriculum
The curriculum for the Opticianry degree program is designed for the semester system. A student may enter the program any semester for general education courses. Program courses begin in the fall and must be completed in a sequence. To graduate, degree-seeking students must earn a minimum of 71 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 1740 contact hours and generally takes 5 semesters to complete.
Fully online classes are only available to students currently working in-field or have an approved mentor. Students must receive prior approval for their mentor from the opticianry faculty.
Program Courses
General Education Core (15 Credits)
Area I – Language Arts/Communication (3 Credits)
ENGL 1101: “C” or higher grade is required for this course.
Area II – Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 Credits)
Select one
Area III – Natural Sciences/Mathematics (3 Credits)
Select one
Area IV Humanities/Fine Arts (3 Credits)
Select one
Program-Specific Requirements (3 Credits)
Occupational Courses (56 Credits)
OPHD 1010, OPHD 1020, OPHD 1030, OPHD 1060, OPHD 1070, OPHD 1080, OPHD 2090, OPHD 2120, OPHD 2130, OPHD 2170, OPHD 2180 and OPHD 2190: “C” or higher grade is required for all these courses.
Program Costs
Tuition ($100 per credit hour): $7,100
Fees ($385 per semester): $1,925
Books/Supplies: $1,500
Uniform Costs: Approximately $80
Liability Insurance: Liability Insurance (click to find individual course fees)
(Costs are estimates and are subject to change.)
Occupational Based Instruction
Number of sites: 20
General location of the sites: Bulloch, Burke, Chatham, Candler, Effingham, Emanuel, Toombs, Evans Counties, and Bluffton, South Carolina.
Occupational Based Courses
The Opticianry degree program occupational based instruction provides students with an opportunity for in-depth application and reinforcement of principles and techniques in a real-world setting. The occupational based experience allows the student to become involved in a professional work situation applying technical skills.
The occupational based instruction requires that students spend a minimum of 15 hours a week in a supervised work setting, for a total of 225 hours. During that time, students are evaluated by the preceptor and the externship coordinator.