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If you’d like to learn more about the Optometric Technician program, we’d love to talk with you.
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Financial Aid Available-
Program Overview
An optometric technician works under the supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
In the Optometric Technician program at Madison College, instructors train students to work in eye care, emphasizing the unique duties required of an optometric technician to provide quality vision care services to patients.
An important part of the curriculum is the clinical experience portion, in which you will work directly with doctors and patients.
Technical training includes:
- Patient pre-testing skills such as visual acuity, measuring eye pressure, muscle movement and pupillary assessment
- Operating ophthalmic equipment such as phoropters, ophthalmic imaging instruments, ultrasonography, visual field testing, tonometers and lensometers
- Assisting in ophthalmic surgery
- Ocular anatomy and physiology
- Ophthalmic terminology and pharmacology
- Frame and lens selection and eyeglass adjustments
- Contact lens patient education
- Visual training and practice management
- Equipment maintenance and repair
Please note that after acceptance to the Optometric Technician program, you will be required to complete a background check, provide documentation of current required-immunizations and current Healthcare Provider CPR certification. Further information about these requirements will be shared at program orientation.
Program Details
Wisconsin law requires background checks for persons who provide care for others or have access to people who receive care. This law applies to students in many School of Health Sciences programs. Please review the Caregiver Background Check information on the School of Health Sciences Forms and Policies.
Students in the Optometric Technician program must attend full time.
Classes are offered Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Optometric Technician program classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:
- Madison - Truax
Careers
Earning your technical diploma in the Optometric Technician program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for a range of professional positions in the optometric field, including:
- Optometric Technician - Assists an optometrist in the delivery of eye care. Duties may include: preliminary testing, contact lens instruction, fitting and dispensing of eyewear, front office management and patient education.
- Ophthalmic Assistant - Assists an ophthalmologist in the delivery of eye care. Duties may include: preliminary testing procedures, refractometry, tonometry, assisting physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures including surgery, ophthalmic photography and patient education.
- Dispensing Technician - Specializes in fitting and dispensing of eyewear; may be employed by an Optometrist, Ophthalmologist or own their own optical dispensary.
- Contact Lens Technician - Duties may include the ordering, verification and dispensing of contact lenses. The contact lens technician may also assist the doctor in chairside techniques of fitting contact lenses.
Accreditation
The Optometric Technician program is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).
Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Suite 301
St. Louis, MO 63141
accredit@theacoe.org
1.800.365.2219 -
Program Courses
Here's a sample course sequence that shows how classes for full-time students are typically organized by semester.
Once you're admitted, your full curriculum and sequence—including any pre-requisites—is defined in your Degree Progress Report.
First Semester31-516-325Optical Dispensing 1
Covers frame definition, parts and types of frames, measurement of frames and lenses, alignment of frames, inserting and removing lenses, introduction to dispensing of eyewear and frame repairs.3 credits31-516-301Ophthalmic Pre-Testing
Covers the history of optometry, relationships between optometry, ophthalmology and opticianry and various paraprofessional careers in vision care. The course involves the study of and practical experience in patient pre-testing such as case history, visual acuity, color vision, pupil evaluation and depth perception as well as the specialized testing procedures such as keratometry and blood pressure.3 credits31-516-305Basic Optical Concepts
Covers the properties of light and the function of a lens in vision correction. Included is a review of basic math needed in vision care and the physiological aspects of vision. This course begins the study of the neutralization and verification of spectacle lens powers, to include spherical, cylindrical and prism lenses.3 credits31-516-315Ocular Anatomy
Familiarizes the optometric technician with the form and function of the human eye. The foundation of the lecture material is the anatomy of the eye, but we will discuss the physiology and function of the eye as much as possible. We will also discuss the actions and uses of diagnostic pharmaceutical agents, as their function is based on interference with normal ocular physiology. This course also covers optometric terminology as well as prescription translation.2 credits31-516-339Human Relations - Optometric Technician Program
Introduces students to their personal and vocational responsibilities as an optometric technician. The development of communication skills one needs as an optometric technician are introduced. The ethical and legal responsibilities of an optometric technician are defined. Time management techniques will be presented. Basic concepts of stress and how it affects behavior, and stress management are discussed. The course also covers writing a job application letter and resume as well as interview techniques.1 creditSecond Semester31-516-326Optical Dispensing 2
This course assists the student in developing a mastery of the alignment and adjustment of eyewear. It also covers the various lens materials, multifocal styles and lens tints.2 credits31-516-330Contact Lenses
Gives the student in-depth exposure to the technical aspects of clinical contact lens practice. Lecture and laboratory experiences emphasize lens verification, patient education and evaluation.3 credits31-516-335Ophthalmic Specialty Testing
Provides the student experience and knowledge in areas of special vision care procedures: subjective refraction, visual field testing, slit lamp, Goldmann and non-contact tonometry, basic concepts of orthoptics and the treatment of eye diseases including instillation of eye medications and eye patching. Patient instruction and assistance are emphasized in laboratory sessions.3 credits31-516-340Patient Relations/Pract Manage
Provides a study of front office management techniques including telephone and appointment book management, filing, recall systems, bookkeeping and insurance claim processing.2 credits31-516-345Preclinical
Prepares students for clinical affiliation by having them complete vision screenings on patients from the college. Class discussions are held analyzing the results of the screening as well as the students’ performance.2 credits31-516-350Clinical Experience
Students participate in assigned clinical experience in an optometric or clinic setting. The student is expected to achieve specific educational objectives determined for this experience.3 credits -
How to Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Apply Now – Limited Seats Available!
This program has limited capacity and may reach maximum enrollment quickly. Applying to the Pre-Optometric Technician program early gives you the best chance of securing a spot.
To enroll in program courses, students must first meet academic preparedness requirements and complete the declaration process.
- Program capacity: 16 spots each Fall. It shares this capacity with other programs that have a similar curriculum.
- Estimated Wait Time: Up to 0-1 year between when students are core ready and when they become eligible to enroll in program classes. This timeline may vary depending on how many students complete the declaration process each semester.
Submitting your application now ensures you're considered as soon as space becomes available. If the program reaches capacity, a waiting list will be used to manage additional qualified applicants.
Before submitting an application, be sure to:
- Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements
- Review the After You Apply section on this page
Application Dates
Spring 2027
- Application open
- Application deadline is January 15, 2027
Fall 2027
- Application available on October 15, 2026
- Application deadline is August 31, 2027
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admissions Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED transcript
- College transcript(s) showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, academic preparedness requirements, and complete the declaration process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Optometric Technician career.
- Program capacity: 16 spots each Fall. It shares this capacity with other programs that have a similar curriculum.
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After You Apply
Academic Preparedness Requirements
This program has academic preparedness requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. Requirements for this program are listed below and are subject to change. Run a personalized report in your student account to confirm which requirements are complete, which are still outstanding, and how requirements may be satisfied.
When you’ve completed all academic preparedness requirements, you will submit the declaration form to confirm that you are ready to enter core program classes. These steps are part of the declaration process.
Student Report
- Pre-core students admitted prior to Fall 2027: Run your Degree Progress Report in your Student Center in PeopleSoft.
- Pre-core students admitted for Fall 2027 and later: Academic preparedness requirements will be available in your Academic Progress Report in Workday. Access will be available beginning March 2027.
Prerequisites
English and Reading (testing, college coursework or bachelor's degree)
Testing
- ACT Reading 15+
- Accuplacer NexGen (Reading) 249+
- ACT English 15+
- Accuplacer NexGen (English) 245+
College courses
- English 1
- Written Communication
- Communications for Health
- Intro Reading & Study Skills AND Intro to College Writing
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
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Career Outcomes
Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination.
After completing Optometric Technician program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be prepared to:
- Perform a variety of supportive optometric procedures.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors, ethics and appearance.
- Assist the optometrist in the care of patients.
- Assist patients with glasses and/or contact lenses.
- Perform business office procedures.
Program Mission: to prepare certification eligible technicians to work as members of the eye care team under the supervision of optometrists, ophthalmologists and other health care providers. To train individuals to assist in providing quality eye care to the patient.
Program Goals:
- Provide relevant instruction to an optimal number of students each year in eye, vision, optical concepts, pretesting procedures, specialty testing procedures, contact lenses, optical dispensing and practice management.
- Prepare students as life-long learners and problem-solvers who can respond to a continually changing eye care profession.
- Utilize technology to deliver the program content to enhance the classroom experience for the students.
- Utilize technology to deliver program content to people already employed in an eye care setting.
- Maintain program accreditation with the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education and the Commission on Accreditation of Ophthalmic Medical Programs.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2023 2024 2025 Number of Program Graduates 9 17 8 Number of Surveys Sent 9 14 8 Number of Surveys Returned 7 12 8 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 7 10 8 Percent Available for Employment 100.0% 83.3% 100.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.0% 16.7% 0.0% Available for Employment
2023 2024 2025 Graduates Employed 6 8 7 Percent of Graduates Employed 85.7% 80.0% 87.5% Employed in Related Occupation 6 5 6 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.0% 62.5% 85.7% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 2 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.0% 25.0% 14.3% Employed - No Response 0 1 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% Seeking Employment 1 2 1 Percent Seeking Employment 14.3% 20.0% 12.5% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2023 2024 2025 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.6 3.6 3.9 Number of Satisfaction Responses 7 10 8 Very Satisfied (4) 4 6 7 Percent Very Satisfied 57.1% 60.0% 87.5% Satisfied (3) 3 4 1 Percent Satisfied 42.9% 40.0% 12.5% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2023 2024 2025 Number of Primary Reason Responses 7 12 8 Preparation for Getting a Job 4 5 2 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 57.1% 41.7% 25.0% Career Change 0 0 1 Percent Career Change 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% Improvement of Existing Skills 3 2 4 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 42.9% 16.7% 50.0% Preparation for Further Education 0 3 1 Percent Preparation for Further Education 0.0% 25.0% 12.5% Personal Interest 0 2 0 Percent Personal Interest 0.0% 16.7% 0.0% Other 0 0 0 Percent Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2023 2024 2025 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 6 7 7 Before Enrollment 3 3 2 Percent Before Enrollment 50.0% 42.9% 28.6% While Attending the College 1 2 2 Percent While Attending the College 16.7% 28.6% 28.6% After Training at the College 2 2 3 Percent After Training at the College 33.3% 28.6% 42.9% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2023 2024 2025 Number of Employment Location Responses 6 8 7 In College District 2 2 4 Percent In College District 33.3% 25.0% 57.1% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 4 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 50.0% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 4 1 3 Percent Outside Wisconsin 66.7% 12.5% 42.9% Employer Location Unknown 0 1 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% Salary Trend 2023 2024 2025 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 4 5 5 Average Monthly Wage $3,438 $3,372 $3,893 Average Hourly Wage $19.99 $19.61 $22.64 Average Work Hours per Week 39.2 41.6 39.0 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 1 Average Hourly Wage $15.00 $19.00 Average Work Hours per Week 15.0 32.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2025 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Dean Health Systems Ancillary Technician/Vision Assistant Portage Dr Jay M Johnson Certified Paraoptometric Technician Gadsden AZ Ho-Chunk Nation House of Wellness Optical Manager Baraboo Niwot Eyecare & Vision Therapy Unspecified Niwot CO Rural Health Services Optometry Department Manager Aiken SC UW Health University Station Clinic Ophthalmic Assistant * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu
