About Our Ophthalmic Technician Program

• Program: Ophthalmic Technician
• Pathway: Health Science

Ophthalmic Technician by the Numbers

• 2.5: minimum GPA to be eligible to apply
• 12: up to 12 applicants accepted each application period
• 60: semester credit hours (2 years) to earn an Ophthalmic Technician A.A.S.
• 32: semester credit hours (12 months) to earn an Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate, Level 2
• $4,500: approximate cost of the program, including books & uniforms

Our Mission

Our program aims to prepare you to work as an entry-level ophthalmic assistant or technician.

We’ll help you build the skills and confidence to step into a career in eye care and meet the changing needs of patients and the healthcare community.

Our Approach to Learning

Our faculty support different learning styles, encourage high standards, and guide you as you move from basic to advanced concepts.

We believe you learn best when you take an active role in your education. You’ll take responsibility for your learning while building the skills to adapt to healthcare needs.

How Our Program Works

Our Ophthalmic Technician Program gives you hands-on training and classroom experience to prepare you for a career in eye care.

You’ll choose between three programs:

• Ophthalmic Technician, A.A.S.
• Ophthalmic Assistant I
• Ophthalmic Assistant II

Our program is accredited by the nationally recognized International Council of Accreditation (ICA). Program graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification exam through the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO).

Applicants

Below are the number of applicants we accept each year:

• The Ophthalmic Technician A.A.S. program admits up to 12 students
• The Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate, Levels 1 and 2 admit up to 15 students

Time Commitment

You need to commit to full-time schedule for:

• 2 semesters (15 semester credit hours) to earn the Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate, Level 1
• 3 semesters (32 semester credit hours) to earn the Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate, Level 2
• 5 semesters (60 semester credit hours) to earn the Ophthalmic Technician A.A.S.

Part-time and distance learning are not available at this time.

Schedule

Program courses and labs are generally held weekday evenings.

Clinics

Clinics are arranged with the program director and require 20 to 24 hours per week for the entire semester. They are generally held weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Our program director will create and coordinate schedules based upon availability.

Grades

You must earn a minimum grade of “C” (70 percent) to pass.

You will receive an "F" for any grade earned that is below 70 percent, and you will have to drop out of the program.

Cost

Approximately $4,500, including books & uniforms

See Cost of Attendance in Detail for more about tuition and fees.

Credentials

Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) Exam

When you finish the Ophthalmic Technician A.A.S. program, you can apply to take the COT exam.

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) Exam

After completing the Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate, Level 2 program, you are eligible to take the COA exam.

Once you complete the Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate, Level 1 program, you can take the COA exam after completing 500 clinical hours. You must complete these hours through employment under the supervision of an ophthalmologist and within 12 months of finishing the program. The IJCAHPO will verify your hours before releasing your exam results.

Contact

Updated September 25, 2025