Vision Care Technology - AAS (2122)
Division: Nursing and Health Sciences Division
Vision Care Technology program (2122) is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA), https://coaccreditation.com.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements (22 Credits) | ||
| Written & Oral Communication (6) | ||
| ENG 101 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 102 | College Composition II | 3 |
| or ENG 105 | Technical Writing | |
| Quantitative/Scientific Knowledge, Skills & Reasoning (4) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| MTH 100, MTH 101, MTH 103, MTH 113, MTH 119, MTH 120, MTH 122, MTH 127 | ||
| Society & Human Behavior (6) | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| ANT 101, ANT 105, ECO 101, ECO 102, POL 104, PSY 101, PSY 102, PSY 219, SOC 101, SOC 108, SOC 219 | ||
| Technological Competency (3) | ||
| CIS 107 | Computer Literacy | 3 |
| or CIS 131 | Micro Computers in Business | |
| Humanistic Perspective (3) | ||
| Select any English Literature Course | 3 | |
or Select one of the following courses: | ||
or Select any History (HST) course | ||
| Major Requirements (42 Credits) | ||
| BIO 125 | Anatomy and Phys of The Eye | 3 |
| OPH 123 | Ophthalmic Laboratory I | 4 |
| OPH 124 | Ophthalmic Laboratory II | 4 |
| OPH 126 | Ophthalmic Materials I | 3 |
| OPH 127 | Ophthalmic Materials II | 3 |
| OPH 201 | Ophthalmic Dispensing I | 5 |
| OPH 202 | Ophthalmic Dispensing II | 5 |
| OPH 203 | Contact Lenses I | 3 |
| OPH 204 | Contact Lenses II | 3 |
| OPH 210 | Principles of Refraction I | 3 |
| OPH 273 | Supervised Clin Instruction | 3 |
| PHY 111 | Theory of Optics | 3 |
| Additional Course Requirements (7 Credits) | ||
| ACC 101 | Prin of Accounting I Financial | 4 |
| BUS 101 | Business Organization & Mgmt | 3 |
| Total Credits | 71 | |
Notes:
- For an explanation of why General Education courses are included in this Program, please refer to the Section on General Education for an explanation of its Purpose and Requirements.
- This plan assumes the student is eligible to enroll in College Level Courses (designated as 100 +, e.g., ENG 101 College Composition I, HST 101 World Civilization I, MTH 100 Intro. to College Mathematics). Placement results will determine College Level Readiness in English and Mathematics.
Vision Care Technology
Curriculum Code: 2122
Will Earn Upon Program Completion: Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree
The Vision Care Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA), https://coaccreditation.com.
Why major in Vision Care Technology?
The Vision Care Technology degree program introduces students to opticianry. Students receive training in laboratory techniques of measuring and grinding eyeglasses to prescription and in fitting and final adaptation of eyewear. Curriculum prepares students for business administration functions of the profession and to pass the state licensing examination for Ophthalmic Technician and Ophthalmic Dispenser. To be successful in the field, you must combine scientific and clinical skills with ability to work well with patients. Job opportunities include owning or working in a retail optical dispensary or sales and marketing of ophthalmic materials. Employment prospects are increasing caused by rising number of elderly and trends toward high fashion eyewear. The VCT program is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA), PO Box 592, Canton, NY, 13617 (Phone: 703-468-0566).
If I major in Vision Care Technology, can I transfer to an upper-division college or university?
The program is career-oriented, although students may choose to transfer credits to four-year institutions to pursue a bachelor’s degree in optometry, opticianry, or related fields.
Are there any requirements I must satisfy before I start taking courses in my major?
Based on placement, you may be required to take developmental courses in English and/or Mathematics before taking courses in your major. In addition, prior completion of trigonometry, biology, and physics at the high school level is strongly recommended.
How long will it take for me to complete this degree?
If you do not need developmental courses and you register for an average of 18 credits each semester, program can be completed in two years; less by taking summer courses.
After fulfilling requirements of the VCT program, students can take the New Jersey State boards to obtain their New Jersey license. They may also choose to obtain American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Certification. Since the inception of this program, 100% of our students have passed the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens exams, and 75% have passed the NJ State Licensing Board exam. Job opportunities are excellent for licensed New Jersey Opticians with nearly 100% placement immediately after licensure.
Where should I direct specific questions about this program?
Call the Division at (973) 877-3367.
PLEASE NOTE:
All applicants to Nursing and Health Sciences programs must meet special admission requirements. While waiting for admission, students are urged to begin taking core curriculum requirements, contact the divisional chair or faculty advisors for details. Admission to programs in the division is competitive; also contact counselors, faculty advisors, and/or Enrollment Service for additional details.
An individual who has charges pending or has ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor and/or found guilty of professional misconduct or negligence may or may not be eligible to be licensed as an allied health professional. These matters should be cleared with the respective licensing boards before applying for admission to allied health programs.
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Develop lensometry skills necessary for laying out lenses for edging, inspecting jobs according to standards, and neutralizing a pair of glasses;
- Discuss prescription eyewear both verbally and written with patient / customer and eyecare professionals;
- Analyzing and interpreting prescriptions;
- Identify human eye structure including its function and pathology;
- Assist patient / customer in selection of proper frames and lenses;
- Determine patient / customer physiognomic measurements (facial and eye);
- Reading / neutralizing prescriptions of existing eyeglasses both single vision and multifocal;
- Verifying eyeglasses to the prescription as to being either dispensable or not dispensable according to New Jersey standards;
- Adapt and fit prescription eyeglasses to patient / customer;
- Demonstrate proficiency in eyeglass lens edging equipment and applying rules and regulations for safety;
- Ability to interpret contact lens prescriptions and the differences from spectacles prescriptions and how they relate to the anatomy of the eye;
- Understanding of how eyeglass prescriptions relate to the anatomy and physiology of the patient / customer’s eye(s);
- Understanding frame and lens materials / designs and how they relate to patient / customer’s needs considering the pros and cons of their decisions;
- Understanding theory of light and optics as it relates to lens designs and materials and focusing power;
- Understanding the standards and regulations both nationally and New Jersey and how they need to be applied;
- Learning the role / responsibility / professional ethics of an Optician; and
- Discuss the use of the phoropter to determine prescriptions subjectively.