Ophthalmic Technician (2180) (A.S.)

Prerequisites

The following courses must be completed prior to acceptance into the Ophthalmic Technician program. All General Education Coursework and Professional Coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better.

• HSC 1531 - Medical Terminology (for Health Professions) Credit Hours: 3
     
• BSC 2085C - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hours: 4
     

Curriculum

General Education Coursework

Credit Hours: 16

• ENC 1101 - English Composition I Credit Hours: 3
    
• or
  ENC 1101C - English Composition I Enhanced Credit Hours: 4
    
• MAC 1105 - College Algebra Credit Hours: 3
    
  or 
  MGF 1106 - Topics in College Mathematics Credit Hours: 3
    
  or 
  MGF 1107 - Explorations in Mathematics Credit Hours: 3
    
• ARH 2000 - Art in the Humanities Credit Hours: 3
    
  or 
  HUM 2020 - Topics in the Humanities Credit Hours: 3
    
  or 
  HUM 2450 - Humanities in the Americas Credit Hours: 3
    
• BSC 2085C - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hours: 4
     
• PSY 1012 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3
    

Professional Coursework

Credit Hours: 56

A minimum grade of C or better is required in all Professional coursework.

• HSC 1531 - Medical Terminology (for Health Professions) Credit Hours: 3
     
• OPT 1110 - Geometric and Ophthalmic Optics Credit Hours: 4
     
• OPT 1210 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye Credit Hours: 3
    
• OPT 1330 - Introduction to Vision Care Credit Hours: 4
     
• OPT 2222 - Ocular Pathology and Pharmacology I Credit Hours: 3
    
• OPT 2223 - Ocular Pathology and Pharmacology II Credit Hours: 3
    
• OPT 2350 - Advanced Clinical Procedures I Credit Hours: 3
    
• OPT 2351 - Advanced Clinical Procedures II Credit Hours: 3
    
• OPT 2375C - Refractometry Credit Hours: 4
    
• OPT 2800L - Vision Care Clinic I Credit Hours: 4
    
• OPT 2801L - Vision Care Clinic II Credit Hours: 4
    
• OPT 2802L - Vision Care Clinic III Credit Hours: 4
    
• OPT 2940 - Ophthalmic Medical Practicum I Credit Hours: 2
    
• OPT 2941 - Ophthalmic Medical Practicum II Credit Hours: 4
    
• OPT 2287 - Ophthalmic Medical Practicum III Credit Hours: 8
    

Total Credit Hours: 72

Note

Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

Some practice settings may have additional requirements including health insurance, a volunteer application, references, fingerprinting and background check, drug testing, and/or an interview prior to the start of the clinical experience. The additional requirements are the responsibility of the student, including expenses.

The cost of the background check(s) and drug screen(s) is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student's responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program's published deadline (if applicable).

Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into Limited Access or Selective Access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition and fees.

A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.

Graduation Requirements

In order to be awarded the Associate in Science degree, students must have met the following requirements:

1. Fulfill all academic requirements for the chosen program of study as outlined in the Florida State College at Jacksonville catalog and curriculum.
2. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) at Florida State College at Jacksonville in courses eligible toward the Associate in Science degree programs, excluding developmental education courses (A.S. Florida State College at Jacksonville GPA).
3. Earned an all-college cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale on all courses attempted. This includes Florida State College at Jacksonville college-credit semester hours and transferred credits (excluding developmental education) in lower division courses (All college cumulative).
4. Complete a minimum of 25 percent of the total hours required for the program in residence at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Credit by examination and credit for prior learning do not count toward this residency requirement.
5. Complete the required semester hours, as specified by the degree, of which a minimum of 15 semester hours must be General Education requirements.
6. Earned a grade of a C or better in each course used to satisfy the general education requirements and any other area designated with a C or better requirement.
7. Fulfill all obligations, financial or otherwise, to the College before graduating.

Note: Students are cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements.

• A student's graduation date will be the date of the end of the College term in which the student has fulfilled all academic requirements. (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect students' graduation dates since the grade change is effective at the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up.)
• Students who enter under the (2020/2021) catalog will be assigned to the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2020/2021 academic year. The student's assigned catalog year will remain in effect as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.
• Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite and/or corequisite courses which are listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.
• Students who place into developmental education courses are required to complete designated developmental education courses with a grade of C or better regardless of program of study.

Articulation

This A.S. degree program articulates into a bachelor's degree program. For more information, visit the Transfer Services Web page at fscj.edu/transferservices and look for your A.S. program of study.

Baccalaureate Transfer

This Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degree programs are intended primarily for students who desire to complete an Associate in Science degree or an Associate in Applied Science degree and become employed. Students who decide to pursue baccalaureate transfer study must meet certain course and test requirements. For details, refer to the Baccalaureate Transfer Guide at fscj.edu/transferguide.