Wiregrass Georgia Technical College President DeAnnia Clements is pleased to announce that the Opticianry program has been awarded the full 6-year accreditation by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA). Having the health sciences program accredited is a vital component of the college.  The accreditation process is rigorous and highlights the quality of education Wiregrass offers the students.  Dean for Health Sciences Stevan Van Hook added, “Quality education assists us in ensuring that we promote student success and meet our college mission of workforce development.  We couldn’t be more proud of Lisa Griffin, who serves as the college’s Opticianry Program Coordinator, and her students for their hard work.” 

Accreditation brings many benefits for the students and the college.  Graduates who are Georgia Licensed Opticians and move out of Georgia will need to have a degree from a COA Accredited Program to be able to sit for that state’s licensure exam.  Accredited programs have to meet a standard of quality that fosters excellence in opticianry education through standards set by the Commission on Opticianry accreditation.  Having the accreditation affirms that educational and instructor resources have met the standards needed for the skills and knowledge necessary to produce competent graduates. 

Graduates from the Optician Program are hired in both private practice and retail environments as opticians who fit eyeglasses, work with contact lens patients, and as ophthalmic technicians who work closely with optometrists and ophthalmologists prepping patients for their eye exams.  Griffin shared, “This accreditation is important to students to know that are graduating from a program that is nationally accredited specifically for opticianry. Wiregrass is no one of eighteen programs in the country that have met the high standards  of excellence in ophthalmic education and will continue to meet these high standards.”

The  Opticianry Program is accepting new students for Fall Semester.  The college is currently accepting new students for the Summer and Fall Semesters.  Summer classes start on May 16 and Fall classes begin on August 16.  Apply in person in the One-Stop Center or online at wiregrass.edu.