Purpose: The Opticianry degree program is a two-year curriculum that is designed to prepare individuals in the art and science of all phases of the making and fitting of eyeglasses and contact lenses: surfacing, finishing, eyeglass dispensing, contact lens
fitting, and dispensing. Occupational Objectives: Graduation from the program may lead to one of the following occupational goals: Optician, Private Practitioner, Ophthalmic Dispenser, Optical Laboratory Manager, Contact Lens Technician, Branch Manager, Optical Laboratory Technician, Ophthalmic Sales Representative, and Ophthalmic Research Technician. Admission Requirements: General college curricular admission Program Notes: Students admitted into this program will be approved for entry into major/clinical courses (Optical Theory I or higher) when they have satisfied the following requirements: Completion of one unit of high school algebra with a grade of "C" or better or its equivalent (JSRCC MTH
3). Completion of all JSRCC developmental coursework prescribed as a result of JSRCC placement tests. -
All applicants to the Opticianry AAS degree program must initially declare their
curriculum plan as the Pre-Nursing and Allied Health Career Studies
Certificate prior to acceptance into the program. (Please see
http://www.jsr.vccs.edu/curriculum/programs/Pre-Nursing_AlliedHealthCSC.htm for information on
this career studies certificate.) In order to be officially accepted
into the Opticianry program, applicants must meet with the program head to
review their records and to discuss the requirements of a career in Opticianry.
It is also recommended,
but not required, that students have completed one unit each of high school biology and physics.
Students acquire direct patient-related practical
skills by taking clinical course work in eyeglass and contact lens at
clinical sites assisting customers.
Courses in the program are offered on campus as well as via distance
learning with in-person or proctor required. Students in the distance
program must attend mandatory clinical classes offered at an approved distance
learning site. Exams must be taken at an approved Testing Center as
determined by the program head.
Students who receive a final grade lower than "71" in any of the Opticianry courses must obtain permission from the program head to continue the major in
Opticianry. Graduation from this program prepares one for the licensing examination
and contact lens fitting endorsement given by the Virginia State Board of Opticians.
This accredited program is also approved by other states.
Financial Requirements: In addition to the regular college tuition and fees, the
following expenses may be required for the Opticianry program:
Eye examination (by
the 4th semester) |
$35-85 |
Personal pair of safety glasses
(Non-Rx safety
eyewear are available for on-campus labs.) |
$15-50 |
White
laboratory coat (by the 4th semester) |
$20-45 |
Name
badge (by the 4th semester) |
$8-10 |
|
USB headset (for all distance courses) |
$25-75 |
|
Mailing costs (for distance clinical courses
only) |
$ varies by location* |
|
Testing center fees (for distance clinical
courses only) |
$ varies by location* | Note: The above costs are approximate,
clinical site dependent, and subject to change.
*Distance learning
students are required to take proctored exams and complete
projects to be sent back to the college throughout the
curriculum. Each student must have an approved proctor and, if
there is a fee, the student is required to pay for the services
they decide to use. |
Computer Competency Requirement: Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement by successfully completing ITE 115. Students can also meet this requirement by passing the college’s computer competency exam, administered in the testing centers on each campus, in which case they will receive college credit for ITE 115. Those students not passing the computer competency exam may retake the exam only once.
Progression
through the Program:
The college offers this program in affiliation with the healthcare
agencies and practitioners in the communities the college serves.
The college relies on its community affiliates to provide clinical
education opportunities for its students, expert clinical preceptors,
and course instructors for many courses. The often rapid changes
in healthcare law, standards of practice, technology, and content of
credentialing examinations increasingly necessitate sudden changes in
the program’s course content, policies, procedures and course
scheduling. As a result,
the college cannot guarantee every student continuous and uninterrupted
clinical and course instruction as outlined in the printed catalog
curriculum for this program. Circumstances beyond the control of the
college may necessitate the postponement of course offerings or changes
in the sequencing and/or location of scheduled courses or clinical
assignments. Additionally, the college may have to change the instructor
for courses after instruction has started.
Accreditation: The Opticianry program is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry
Accreditation, PO Box 592, Canton, NY 13617;
director@coaccreditation.com; 703-468-0566 voice.
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