Opticianry Diploma (OP14)

The Opticianry diploma 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 diploma.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Opticianry diploma program are prepared for responsible positions in doctors’ offices, wholesale optical laboratories and retail dispensing locations, along with sales positions and positions with wholesale companies.

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 55 60 34 NA
Accuplacer (Next Gen) 224 236 229 NA
Compass 70 32 26 NA
SAT 16 15 18 NA
SAT 270 280 310 NA
ACT 14 13 14 NA
ASSET 37 38 32 NA
PSAT 16 15 18 NA
GED NA 145 145 NA
TABE 461 NA 442 NA

Opticianry Diploma Curriculum

The curriculum for the Opticianry diploma program is designed for the semester system. A student may enter the program any semester, but this may add to the total semesters required. To graduate, diploma-seeking students must earn a minimum of 59 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 1560 contact hours and generally takes 5 semesters to complete.

Program Courses

Basic Skills Courses (6 Credits)

ENGL 1010Fundamentals of English I

3

MATH 1012Foundations of Mathematics

3

Occupational Courses (53 Credits)

OPHD 1010Intro to Ophthalmic Optics

3

OPHD 1020Eye Anatomy and Physiology

3

OPHD 1030Applied Optical Theory

2

OPHD 1060Optical Laboratory Technique I

6

OPHD 1070Optical Laboratory Techniq II

6

OPHD 1080Contact Lens I

5

OPHD 2090Frame Selection

5

OPHD 2120Lens Selection

6

OPHD 2130Contact Lens II

5

OPHD 2170Contact Lens Review

3

OPHD 2180Opticianry Review

3

OPHD 2190Opticianry OBI

6

NOTE: “C” or higher grade is required for all the above courses.

Program Costs

Tuition/Fees: $6,270

Books/Supplies: $1,500

Uniform Costs: Approximately $80

Liability Insurance: $10 per fiscal year

Drug Screening: $30

Criminal Background Check: $39-$80

(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 diploma 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 practicum 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.