DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS
Fall 2023: Applications open
Fall 2023: Applications open
Combine health care, business, fashion and technology with a Diploma in Opticianry. You’ll study all areas of modern opticianry, including eyeglasses, contact lenses and refraction technologies. Classes take place three days per week, which means you’ll be able to work part time while you study. Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to take the College of Opticians exam, which is a required step in becoming a licensed optician in B.C.
A practical education
You’ll gain real-world experience in eye testing, automatic refracting, and eyeglass and contact lens dispensing through the Douglas College Vision Care Centre, a retail facility located on campus that is open to the public. You’ll work with standard and specialized optical equipment with a complete eyeglass dispensing service, including a comprehensive contact lens lab with five fitting rooms and one automated refraction station. Sharpen your skills with retail site placements that offer practical experience and job contacts necessary to jump-start your career.
Future education
If you’re interested in furthering your education, your credential may transfer to health care programs at other post-secondary institutions in B.C. Visit the B.C. Transfer Guide and your transfer university’s website to confirm which courses transfer.
Excellent job prospects
Many of our students are hired part time in the industry in their first or second semester and work full time over the summer break. Plus, surveys show close to 100 percent of our Opticianry graduates are currently working in the field. (Source: B.C. Student Outcomes).
Prior learning assessment and recognition
If you are already a licensed optician and want to get your contact lens fitting qualifications, you may be eligible for direct entry into the second year of the program.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
* Successful completion of two three-credit university transfer courses may be substituted for high school graduation
You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page.
Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:
Course Requirements:
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
Semester I |
||
OPTI 1100 |
Opticianry Theory I |
5.00 |
OPTI 1112 |
Opticianry Lab Skills I |
6.00 |
Interpersonal Skills for the Workplace |
3.00 |
|
Semester I credits |
|
14.00 |
Semester II |
||
OPTI 1200 |
Opticianry Theory II |
5.00 |
OPTI 1210 |
Opticianry Clinical Practice |
4.00 |
OPTI 1212 |
Opticianry Lab Skills II |
6.00 |
Semester II Credits |
|
15.00 |
Semester III |
||
OPTI 1310 |
Opticianry Eyeglass Practicum |
5.00 |
Semester III credits |
|
5.00 |
Semester IV |
||
OPTI 2101 |
Theory in Contact Lenses and Optical Technologies I |
4.00 |
OPTI 2113 |
Laboratory in Contact Lenses and Optical Technologies I |
6.00 |
Semester IV credits |
10.00 |
|
Semester V |
||
OPTI 2201 |
Theory in Contact Lenses and Optical Technologies II |
4.00 |
OPTI 2211 |
Clinical in Contact Lenses and Optical Technologies II |
5.00 |
OPTI 2213 |
Laboratory in Contact Lenses and Optical Technologies II |
6.00 |
Semester V credits |
|
15.00 |
Semester VI |
||
Clinical in Contact Lenses and Optical Technologies III |
4.00 |
|
Semester VI credits |
4.00 |
|
Total Program Credits |
|
63.00 |
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Tuition deposit
When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required.
Career opportunities include: