Academics

• Overview
• Accreditation & Licensure
• Program Effectiveness
• Program Requirements
• Physical Demands
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Career Information
• Paying for College

Program Effectiveness

The Opticianry Program conducts a comprehensive annual review of its mission, goals, and program learning outcomes to evaluate overall program effectiveness and support continuous quality improvement. The review process begins each fall and involves collaboration among program faculty, staff, and the clinical supervisor. Program personnel assess the extent to which the program is achieving its mission and educational goals through the analysis of multiple outcome measures, including national certification examination pass rates, state licensure examination pass rates, employer/preceptor survey results, and other relevant assessment data.

The Faculty conduct a systematic review of the curriculum, including both didactic and laboratory components, to ensure that course content remains current, relevant, and aligned with program learning outcomes and industry standards. Clinical education experiences and patient care interactions are also evaluated by program personnel to ensure that students are provided with effective experiential learning opportunities and that multiple stakeholder perspectives are incorporated into the review process.

Following the internal program review, assessment findings and recommendations are presented to the Program Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee reviews program outcomes, including certification and licensure examination results, employer/preceptor feedback, and graduate satisfaction survey data. Committee members provide valuable input regarding program strengths, areas for improvement, workforce needs, and the program’s effectiveness in meeting its stated mission, goals, and learning outcomes.

The faculty, staff, administration, and Advisory Committee collectively engage in an ongoing evaluation process to monitor program quality and effectiveness. This process includes the identification of program strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges, as well as the development of action plans designed to enhance student success and program outcomes. The results of these evaluations are used to support evidence-based decision-making, foster continuous improvement, and ensure alignment with institutional priorities and strategic objectives, including the goals of Miami Dade College.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Opticianry Program is to provide high-quality education that prepares students for competent, ethical, and professional practice in the field of opticianry. Through excellence in teaching, clinical training, and community engagement, the program promotes lifelong learning and contributes to the delivery of quality eye care services to the communities it serves.

The Mission of Medical Campus is to provide students with affordable, accessible, quality education in health care careers. Faculty and staff strive to respond to the changing needs of students, health care providers, and health care consumers in the community at large through collaboration with health care and business communities. The Campus provides an environment that is conductive to learning by recognizing and responding to the diverse learning styles, cultures, and resources of its students.

The Mission of the School of Health Sciences is to provide excellent, affordable, accessible health care education and promotes quality health care services in our community.

Goals

The goals of the Opticianry program include the students, faculty, institution, and community.

Program Goals:

Goal 1 — Student Competence
Prepare graduates with the knowledge, technical skills, clinical competencies, communication abilities, ethical behaviors, and professional attitudes required for entry-level opticianry practice.

Goal 2 — Examination and Licensure Readiness
Prepare graduates for successful completion of the American Board of Opticianry Examination, National Contact Lens Examination, and Florida state licensing examination.

Goal 3 — Clinical and Community Service
Provide supervised laboratory and clinical experiences that enable students to apply opticianry knowledge and skills in patient-centered settings and contribute to the vision care needs of the community.

Goal 4 — Continuous Program Improvement
Maintain an effective, current, and responsive Opticianry Program through faculty development, curriculum review, assessment of student achievement, industry and Advisory Committee input, and evaluation of program outcomes.

Achievement of these program goals is supported through the following student, faculty, institutional, and community activities:

1. Students:
   1. Accomplish the educational objectives of each course, meet or exceed established course competencies, and fulfill the criteria used to evaluate student success.
   2. Develop professional attitudes and the discipline necessary for success in the vision care professions.
   3. Demonstrate effective written, oral, and reading communication skills with patients/clients, other health care providers, and the community.
2. Faculty:
   1. Provide teaching and learning experiences that develop the knowledge, concepts, and skills necessary for professional practice and service to the community.
   2. Develop and define the objectives of each course, including laboratory and clinical experiences.
   3. Develop methods and assessment tools to measure student achievement.
3. Institution:
   1. Maintain accreditation of the Opticianry Program.
   2. Support the preparation of students for successful completion of the American Board of Opticianry Examination, National Contact Lens Examination, and Florida state licensing examination.
   3. Provide students with a broad educational background that supports the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
   4. Provide graduates with a sound educational foundation for future education, professional development, life pursuits, and participation in today's global economy.
4. Community:
   1. Provide the ophthalmic community with skilled graduates who are academically and clinically prepared to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of a vision care technician or optician.
   2. Promote cooperation among vision care professionals and industry partners that support and recognize the knowledge and skills of Opticianry Program graduates.
   3. Eliminate hazardous waste and reduce non-hazardous waste to the minimum levels economically and technically practical and to be in full compliance with all federal and state environmental regulations.

Opticianry Program Competency-Based Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the Opticianry Program, graduates will be able to:

1. Analyze and interpret ophthalmic prescriptions and apply appropriate mathematical, optical, and geometric principles to determine accurate eyewear specifications.
2. Perform accurate ophthalmic measurements and assess individual visual, occupational, and lifestyle needs to support appropriate frame, lens, and vision-aid selection.
3. Utilize ophthalmic instruments, equipment, and technologies competently and safely in the provision of opticianry and vision care services.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in ophthalmic fabrication and dispensing procedures, including lens verification, fitting, adjustment, troubleshooting, repair, and follow-up, in accordance with professional standards.
5. Apply principles of contact lens dispensing, fitting, modification, and neutralization, and provide appropriate patient education in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
6. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication with patients and customers, prescribers, healthcare professionals, laboratory personnel, employers, and members of the community.
7. Apply ethical, legal, regulatory, safety, and infection-control standards in the delivery of patient-centered opticianry services.
8. Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, critical thinking, problem-solving, accurate record maintenance, and a commitment to lifelong learning consistent with the responsibilities of an entry-level optician.