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Program Overview
The Optometric Technician program is a one year Technical diploma that will prepare you to work under the supervision of an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Start a health care career in less than a year in a clinical setting with no nights or weekends. Full benefit packages with career laddering opportunities available. There is an extreme shortage of eye care professionals so most students receive job offers during their clinicals.
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Curriculum and Progress Towards Your Degree
Next Steps After Acceptance
To Enroll:
Students who successfully complete all of the below requirements will register for first semester courses to confirm their status as an Optometric Technician student.
All students must:
- Complete the application process and be admitted to the Optometric Technician program
- Meet the Registration Requirements below to register for Optometric Technician program classes
English
Students must demonstrate English competency in one of the following ways:
1. Test Scores: Minimum test score cannot be more than four years old:
- ACT English 15+
- ACCUPLACER NextGen Writing 245+
2. Courses: Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:
- Communications for Health (77851776)
3. Bachelor's degree or higher
Reading
Students must demonstrate reading competency in one of the following ways:
1. Test Scores: Minimum test score cannot be more than four years old:
- ACT Reading 15+
- ACCUPLACER NextGen Reading 249+
2. Courses: Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:
- Communications for Health (77851776)
3. Bachelor's degree or higher
After Admission
You can view curriculum requirements in your Degree Progress Report (DPR), which is accessible 24/7 in the Academic Progress tab of the myMadisonCollege portal.
The curriculum in your DPR is set at the time you are admitted to your program, regardless of any future curriculum changes, as long as you maintain consistent class enrollment and demonstrate effort toward completing your degree program.
Readmission Information
If you need to take some time away during your program, you can always come back to continue your coursework with us.
When you come back, your program requirements may have changed, and you may need to reapply. Please consult and work with your Academic Advisor to identify the appropriate course requirements.
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Program Materials and Resources
A mandatory program orientation is held the week prior to the start of classes.
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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
2020 2021 2022 Number of Program Graduates 15 14 10 Number of Surveys Sent 15 14 10 Number of Surveys Returned 9 11 5 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 9 9 5 Percent Available for Employment 100.00% 81.80% 100.00% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.00% 18.20% 0.00% Available for Employment
2020 2021 2022 Graduates Employed 9 7 5 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.00% 77.80% 100.00% Employed in Related Occupation 9 6 4 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.00% 85.70% 80.00% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 1 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.00% 14.30% 20.00% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Seeking Employment 0 2 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.00% 22.20% 0.00% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 4 3.3 3.6 Number of Satisfaction Responses 9 11 5 Very Satisfied (4) 9 5 3 Percent Very Satisfied 100.00% 45.50% 60.00% Satisfied (3) 0 5 2 Percent Satisfied 0.00% 45.50% 40.00% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Very Unsatisfed (1) 0 1 0 Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.00% 9.10% 0.00% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Number of Primary Reason Responses 9 11 5 Preparation for Getting a Job 4 1 2 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 44.40% 9.10% 40.00% Career Change 2 5 0 Percent Career Change 22.20% 45.50% 0.00% Improvement of Existing Skills 2 3 2 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 22.20% 27.30% 40.00% Preparation for Further Education 0 2 1 Percent Preparation for Further Education 0.00% 18.20% 20.00% Personal Interest 1 0 0 Percent Personal Interest 11.10% 0.00% 0.00% Other 0 0 0 Percent Other 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% When Employment was Obtained
2020 2021 2022 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 9 7 5 Before Enrollment 1 1 2 Percent Before Enrollment 11.10% 14.30% 40.00% While Attending the College 2 0 1 Percent While Attending the College 22.20% 0.00% 20.00% After Training at the College 6 6 2 Percent After Training at the College 66.70% 85.70% 40.00% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2020 2021 2022 Number of Employment Location Responses 6 6 4 In College District 4 5 3 Percent In College District 66.70% 83.30% 75.00% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Outside of Wisconsin 2 1 1 Percent Outside Wisconsin 33.30% 16.70% 25.00% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Salary Trend 2020 2021 2022 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 7 5 4 Average Monthly Wage $2,824 $3,307 $3,370 Average Hourly Wage $16.42 $19.22 $19.59 Average Work Hours per Week 39 40.3 39.5 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 2 Average Hourly Wage $17.60 Average Work Hours per Week 32 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Cardinal Family Eyecare Certified Paraoptometric Technician Stanley Chariton Vision Center Optometric Assistant Chariton IA SSM Health Ophthalmic Assistant UW Health University Station Clinic Optomitrist 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
Program Number: 315162
Degree: Technical Diploma
School: School of Health Sciences
Delivery Method: Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete: 27 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year