Program

Dispensing Opticianry

Starting Fall 2022, the Dispensing Opticianry program will no longer be accepting applications. The program name has been changed. For those still interested in this area of study, please visit our Opticianry (Diploma) page.

Faculty

Science & Technology

Department

Credits

63.00

Length of program

Two years

Credential type

Diploma

Campus

Coquitlam

Learning format

Full-time

Admission type

Limited Enrolment

Offered

Fall

Overview

Combine health care, business, fashion and technology with a Diploma in Dispensing 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 100 percent of our Dispensing 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.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

General College Admission Requirements
High School Graduation or equivalent *
Any Math 11 with a grade of "C-" or better (or equivalent)
A completed and signed Optical Tour Form
Applicants may be required to attend a personal interview that will be used for the purposes of providing information and academic counselling. Direct entry into second year of the program is available for those individuals already employed within the optical field as an Optician - Eyeglass Dispenser and desiring educational qualifications in the fitting of contact lenses
Criminal Record Check - This program requires students to train in an environment that demands individuals to provide proof of a satisfactorily completed, current CRS for the protection of the clients. To meet this requirement, prospective students must submit to a current CRC as a condition of entry to the program. All costs related to the completion of this search are the responsibility of the individual student.

* Successful completion of two three-credit university transfer courses may be substituted for high school graduation

Cost

Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.

For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.

Program Requirements

Curriculum framework

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:

Successful completion of 63 credits
25% (16 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
Minimum Grade: “C” in all courses except Mastery graded courses
Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:

Successful completion of 63 credits
50% (31.5 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
Minimum grade “C” in all courses except Mastery graded courses and minimum 2.00 PGPA
Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years.

Course Requirements:

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
Semester I
DOPT 1100	Dispensing Optician Theory I	5.00
DOPT 1112	Dispensing Optician Lab Skills I	6.00
CMNS 1216	Interpersonal Skills for the Workplace	3.00
Semester I credits		14.00
Semester II
DOPT 1200	Dispensing Optician Theory II	5.00
DOPT 1210	Dispensing Optician Clinical Practice II	4.00
DOPT 1212	Dispensing Optician Lab Skills II	6.00
Semester II Credits		15.00
Semester III
DOPT 1310	Dispensing Optician Eyeglass Preceptorship	5.00
Semester III credits		5.00
Semester IV
DOPT 2101	Theory in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies I	4.00
DOPT 2113	Laboratory in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies I	6.00
Semester IV credits		10.00
Semester V
DOPT 2201	Theory in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies II	4.00
DOPT 2211	Clinical in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies II	5.00
DOPT 2213	Laboratory in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies II	6.00
Semester V credits		15.00
Semester VI
DOPT 2311	Clinical in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies III	4.00
Semester VI credits		4.00
Total Program Credits		63.00

Program Guidelines

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.

September 2017 (Current)