Daytona State College is now offering an Associate of Science Degree in Opticianry. An Optician in Florida interprets and fills prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists and guides the customer in the selection of appropriate eyewear. They also dispense and educate customers on how to care for their eyeglasses and contact lenses. Attending our program will allow graduates to become licensed Opticians.
As a practicing Optician in the State of Florida, you must have the following licensures:
1) ABO (American Board of Opticianry)
2) NCLE (National Contact Lens Examination)
3) Florida Licensed Dispensing Optician Examination (LDO)
Graduates of our program will be eligible to sit for these licensing exams. One of our program goals is for graduates to successfully pass the ABO and NCLE licensing exams. The program is pursuing accreditation with the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA) P.O. Box 592, Canton, New York, 13617 director@COAAccreditation.com, 703-468-0566.
Program outcomes include:
- The Opticianry Technology Program prepares students to work in the eye care field as dispensing opticians
- Students will gain clinical skills in our modern clinic and dispensary.
- Students will learn how to manufacture eyewear in our state-of-the-art on site laboratory.
- Graduates can choose to work in retail/wholesale optical establishments, as well as Optometrist's and Ophthalmologist's offices.
The program begins in January, and consists of 72 credits spanning 6 semesters. The content includes lens surfacing, finishing and mounting; dispensing of completed prescriptions; fitting contact lenses; frame repair; business management techniques and human relations. An optician/dispensing optician is the 19th fastest growing occupation in Volusia County. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FDEO) reports that job growth for the dispensing optician occupation will be over 17% in the next five (5) years, with an average hourly wage of $19/hr. Currently, the median hourly wage of Opticians for both the area and the state is $17.25 and $18.22, respectively. Statewide, the FDEO projects 4,117 job openings for the next 8-year period.
Additional Admission Requirements
• This is a limited access program.
• Students must have a standard high school diploma (or GED) and be at least 18 years
of age to enroll.
• Attendance at a program information session is required. Dates will be announced.
• Applicants starting in a Florida Public high school in 2003 or after and graduating
from a Florida public high school with a standard high school diploma and active duty
military are exempt from any placement testing. Those applicants that have successfully
completed college level English and/or Math may be exempt from placement testing.
All other applicants are required to take the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test
(PERT) and be at the 10th grade level for reading, language and arithmetic.
• Admissions into the program will be contingent on the satisfactory completion of
both a drug screen and a background check consisting of a fingerprint check of state
and federal criminal history information conducted through the Florida Department
of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). A second screening
will be required in the third semester of the program.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) certification for health care providers to include
adults, infants, children, and AED affiliated with the American Heart Association
or American Red Cross.
Program Completion Requirements
• Continuing enrollment approval will be required to enroll in the program specific
courses based on a selection process after completing the General Education classes
required.
• Completion of the following courses with a grade of 'C' or better is suggested before
submitting a request for continuing enrollment: ENC1101 (Introduction to Composition),
MAC1105 (College Algebra) or MGF2106 (Survey in Mathematics) and HSC1000 (Introduction
to Health Care).
• Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better to apply for continuing enrollment.
• Submit the completed application for continuing enrollment to the School of Health
Careers.
• Students will be held accountable for the policies and procedures of the Optician
Technology program as outlined in the OT student handbook, as well as the College
Student handbook.
Fall Information Session Flyer
For additional information contact:
George Stanley MBA, LDO, ABO, NCLEC
Program Director/Assistant Chairperson
(386)506-3225
George.Stanley@DaytonaState.edu
or
Melissa Brown, Academic Advisor
(386)506-3052
Melissa.Brown@DaytonaState.edu
11/19
