A student who receives a one-year certificate can work in a retail outlet, optical laboratory or a doctor's office. Other career paths can lead to related work as a sales representative for optical products. Note: In order to be eligible to take the State Board Exam for licensure, you must finish the Optical Technology degree program.

Program contact: Learn more

This certificate will be automatically awarded when the certificate requirements are completed. If you do not want to receive the certificate, please notify the Office of the Registrar at RegistrarOffice@tri-c.edu.

Learn more about how certificate credits apply to the related degree.

Program Admission Requirements

Application may be submitted to the Health Careers Enrollment Center after meeting the following requirements:

  • High School Diploma/GED
  • ENG-0995 Applied College Literacies or appropriate score on English Placement Test.
  • MATH-0955 Beginning Algebra or MATH-0990 Math Literacy for College Students or appropriate score on Math Placement Test.
  • OPT-1100 Introduction to Optical Technology
  • 2.0 GPA

Other Information

  • 10 students accepted per year

Program Learning Outcomes

This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

  1. Communicate verbally and in writing to clients, colleagues, and other professionals.
  2. Design eyewear by combining accurate physiognomic measurements with knowledge of ocular anatomy, geometric optics and prescription analysis.
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in the operation and function of equipment and tools used in the fabrication and verification of eyewear.
  4. Perform all tasks associated with the fitting and dispensing of eyewear.
  5. Apply knowledge of ocular physiology and of local, state and federal guidelines in order to maintain accurate medical records.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the ophthalmic profession and optical manufacturing process.
  7. Work within the safety standards that govern opticianry.
  8. Discuss Ohio and national statutes that govern opticianry.
  9. Conduct him/herself in a professional manner at all times.

Suggested Semester Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
Summer StartCredit Hours
OPT-1100 Introduction to Optical Technology 1
MATH-1xxx1000-level MATH course or higher 3
Select one of the following: 3
College Composition I
Honors College Composition I
 Credit Hours7
First Semester
BIO-1230 Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye 4
OPT-1310 Theoretical Optics I 2
OPT-1400 Introduction to Fabrication Principles 1
OPT-1411 Basic Spectacle Fabrication 1
OPT-1510 Optical Dispensing I 3
OPT-1610 Contact Lens I 2
 Credit Hours13
Second Semester
OPT-1320 Theoretical Optics II 2
OPT-1421 Advanced Spectacle Fabrication 1
OPT-1520 Optical Dispensing II 3
OPT-1621 Contact Lens II 2
PHYS-1300 Physics of Optical Materials 4
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours32

MATH-1140, MATH-1141, MATH-1200, MATH-1270, and MATH-1280 can no longer count towards fulfilling the college-level mathematics requirement.  These courses were re-classified as developmental mathematics by the state of Ohio in 2016.  Tri-C established a 5-year transitioning window for students who had completed these courses prior to 2016 to apply them towards meeting graduation requirements, which expired in Summer 2021. It is highly recommended to see a counselor to determine the appropriate math required for your current major.