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
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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. 

  • 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.

  • Program Materials and Resources

    A mandatory program orientation is held the week prior to the start of classes.  

    School of Health Sciences Forms and Policies.

  • 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:

    1. 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.
    2. Prepare students as life-long learners and problem-solvers who can respond to a continually changing eye care profession.
    3. Utilize technology to deliver the program content to enhance the classroom experience for the students.
    4. Utilize technology to deliver program content to people already employed in an eye care setting.
    5. Maintain program accreditation with the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education and the Commission on Accreditation of Ophthalmic Medical Programs.
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates151410
      Number of Surveys Sent151410
      Number of Surveys Returned9115
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment995
      Percent Available for Employment100.00%81.80%100.00%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market0.00%18.20%0.00%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed975
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.00%77.80%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation964
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation100.00%85.70%80.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation011
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation0.00%14.30%20.00%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment020
      Percent Seeking Employment0.00%22.20%0.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)43.33.6
      Number of Satisfaction Responses9115
      Very Satisfied (4)953
      Percent Very Satisfied100.00%45.50%60.00%
      Satisfied (3)052
      Percent Satisfied0.00%45.50%40.00%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)010
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%9.10%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses9115
      Preparation for Getting a Job412
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job44.40%9.10%40.00%
      Career Change250
      Percent Career Change22.20%45.50%0.00%
      Improvement of Existing Skills232
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills22.20%27.30%40.00%
      Preparation for Further Education021
      Percent Preparation for Further Education0.00%18.20%20.00%
      Personal Interest100
      Percent Personal Interest11.10%0.00%0.00%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses975
      Before Enrollment112
      Percent Before Enrollment11.10%14.30%40.00%
      While Attending the College201
      Percent While Attending the College22.20%0.00%20.00%
      After Training at the College662
      Percent After Training at the College66.70%85.70%40.00%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses664
      In College District453
      Percent In College District66.70%83.30%75.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin211
      Percent Outside Wisconsin33.30%16.70%25.00%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count754
      Average Monthly Wage$2,824$3,307$3,370
      Average Hourly Wage$16.42$19.22$19.59
      Average Work Hours per Week3940.339.5
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count2
      Average Hourly Wage$17.60
      Average Work Hours per Week32
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Cardinal Family EyecareCertified Paraoptometric TechnicianStanley
      Chariton Vision CenterOptometric AssistantCharitonIA
      SSM HealthOphthalmic Assistant
      UW Health University Station ClinicOptomitrist 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