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Program Overview
If you are currently working in an eye care setting and are interested in learning more and preparing for the national Paraoptometric Technician certification written examination, you will want to consider the Madison College online Optometric Technician program.
You will need to secure a mentor (see Mentor Guidelines through Mentor Form) to assist in and oversee some of the lab activities. The program is a four-semester part-time program. Upon completion, you will receive a One-Year Technical diploma from Madison College.
The program can be completed entirely online, allowing you to maintain your full-time employment while taking courses.
An optometric technician works under the supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist. In the Online 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.
Technical Training includes:
- Patient pre-testing skills
- Contact lens patient education
- Ocular anatomy and physiology
- Optometric terminology
- Optical properties of light
- Visual training and practice management
- Frame and lens selection
- Eyeglass adjustment
For more information about the Online Optometric Technician program and the mentor/clinical preceptor role, please contact agray@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6557.
Program Details
The Online Optometric Technician program is available part-time only.
Careers
As of October 2024, the website salary.com indicates the annual salary range for Certified Ophthalmic Assistants (COA) in the Madison area is $47,946 - $61,883 with the median salary at $54,478.
Earning your technical diploma in the Online Optometric Technician program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for a range of professional positions in the optometric field, including:
- Optometric Technician
- Ophthalmic Assistant: Assists an optometrist or ophthalmologist in the delivery of eye care. Duties may include: Preliminary testing procedures, dispensing of glasses and contact lenses and front office management.
- Dispensing Optician: 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.
Flexible Learning Options
- Out-of-state students can complete the Optometric Technician Online program without paying out-of-state tuition.
MATC's Optometric Technician online 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.
Online First Semester31-516-315Ocular 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 credits31-516-301Ophthalmic 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 credits31-516-339Human 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 creditOnline Second Semester31-516-305Basic 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 credits31-516-325Optical 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 creditsOnline Third 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 credits31-516-335Ophthalmic 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 credits31-516-346Preclinic A
Prepares students for clinical work. Students explore their professional responsiblities of providing quality eye care. Students then participate in class discussions, explore variations of visual screenings and student responsibilities.1 creditOnline Fourth Semester31-516-330Contact 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 credits31-516-340Patient 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 credits31-516-347Preclinic B
Prepares students for clinical work. Students perform screenings on patients and then participate in class discussions. Explore variations of visual screenings and student responsibilities.1 credit -
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 – Secure Your Spot!
This program has a limited number of seats available. We encourage early applications to secure your spot, but the program has not historically reached full capacity.
Application Dates
Fall 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2026
Spring 2027
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is January 15, 2027
Fall 2027
- Application available on October 15, 2026
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2027
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission 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 completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience 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
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the program.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Optometric Technician - Online career.
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Career Outcomes
Madison College Online Optometric Technician program graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination and are 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, pre-testing 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.