NAIT/OAC Optical Sciences Eyeglasses Diploma (Distance ...

NAIT/OAC Optical Sciences Eyeglasses Diploma (Distance)OverviewThe Eyeglasses Program is for individuals who already work in the optical industry, and knowhow important the role of the registered Optician is in helping patients to see properly. The abilityto dispense eyeglasses is a specialized skill, one recognized by employers as a great asset.The two-year Eyeglasses Diploma program builds on your previous optical training and helps youtoward your goal of becoming a licensed Optician. A qualified preceptor in your workplace willguide and directly supervise your practical training, which consists of 2000 hours over 4 levels.After successfully completing the program, you will be ready for the next step towards becominga Licensed Optician in your province of residence. Please refer to “Licensing” on page 2.This program is offered in English only.Career OpportunitiesRegistered Opticians play an important role in helping patients see properly. Employers value thespecialized skill of Opticians.AccreditationThe NAIT Optical Sciences Program is accredited by the National Association of CanadianOptician Regulators (NACOR) http://www.nacor.ca/. This accreditation is recognized by all theProvincial Regulatory Boards in Canada.Quick InfoSubjectHealthCertificationDiplomaDelivery MethodDistance & Online LearningContactsOutside Alberta within CanadaPhone. 1.800.847.3155Email. education@opticians.caLength2 yearsLocationFlexibleProgram Model/Completion RequirementsTo earn a NAIT Optical Sciences Eyeglasses Diploma, students must successfully complete:

Two (2) theory courses, where the overall passing grade is 63%o Eyeglasses Year One (ODP1)o Eyeglasses Year Two (ODP2)Mark Distribution Per YearA. Midterm Exam 30%B. Final Exam 40%C. Lab Tests/Assessments 10%D. WebCT Online Participation 10%E. Online Post Assessments 10%100%4 practicum courses, grades on a Pass/Fail basiso Eyeglasses Practicum Levels 1 to 4 (ODP525, ODP526, ODP527 & ODP528)o Each level documents 500 hours, for a total of 2000 practicum hoursCertificationUpon successfully completing all courses, students receive an Optical Sciences EyeglassesDiploma.LicensingCompletion of this program is one of the steps towards registration as an Optician in yourprovince. Students must meet all registration requirements of their Provincial Regulatory Board.For further information on registration as an Optician in your province, contact your ProvincialRegulatory Board. For contact information, visit http://opticians.ca/index.asp?id=19Entrance RequirementsCanadian High School Diploma or assessed equivalent, plus employment within the opticalindustry, with a qualified preceptor to supervise the practicum. It is recommended that studentshave a strong math background, with knowledge of geometry and trigonometry.Students are also required to apply for a Student License with the Provincial Regulatory OpticiansBoard in your province. For contact information, visit http://opticians.ca/index.asp?id=19RegistrationCanadian Residents Outside Alberta - Send a completed application package to:Opticians Association of Canada Phone: 1.800.847.3155 or 204.982.6060Attn: Education DepartmentEmail. education@opticians.caSuite 2706 – 83 Garry StreetWinnipeg, ManitobaR3C 4J9 CANADA

Eyeglasses Year One (ODP1) – Computer Based LearningCourse Length: 32 weeksHours: 350.00Credits: 22.0Start and End DatesSeptember Intake 2011: September 12 to April 30January Intake 2012*: January 9 to August 19* January intake is only available in Alberta, BC, Newfoundland, Ontario & QuebecEnrolment DeadlinesSeptember Intake: August 8, 2011January Intake: December 1, 2011It’s all about the eye; the conditions, anatomy and physiology. This first year of the EyeglassesDiploma program encompasses all of the theory you’ll need to know to become a registeredOptician. Emphasis will be on use of instruments and tools, adjustments of frames, lens products,optics, analysis and interpretation of the prescriptions.The program contains a course of study governed by prescribed textbooks and computer-basedlearning guided by an online instructor. Students must have daily access to a computer and adesignated email address. Course content is accessed online. Students must complete onlineassessments and assignments and participate in online discussions. Students are also requiredto complete a hands-on practical lab test, complete a written midterm examination and completea written final examination. The lab tests and examinations are not completed online.Textbooks referenced in the Program - System for Ophthalmic Dispensing (3rd Edition),Dictionary of Eye Terminology (5th Edition), Optical Formulas Tutorial (2nd Edition). Purchase oftextbooks is the responsibility of the student. A textbook order form for the NAIT Bookstore(Campus Reads & Needs) is included in your application package, however, students maypurchase textbooks from an alternate source.The midterm and final examination venues will be based on the location of the majority ofstudents and will be a maximum of 250 km from your home city/town. Examinations are amaximum of 3 hours in length and consist of 100 multiple-choice questions. Examinations MUSTbe written on the scheduled day at the scheduled time.Major TopicsTime AllocationA. Learning with LOGs 5 hrsB. LOG 2 – Introduction to Opticianry and Verbal and 25 hrsNonverbal CommunicationC. LOG 3 – Frames, Part I 25 hrsD. LOG 4 – Ophthalmic Instruments and Tools 35 hrsE. LOG 5 – Mathematics 25 hrsF. LOG 6 – Optics 30 hrsG. LOG 7 – Basic Anatomy and Pathology 50 hrsH. LOG 8 – Ophthalmic Lenses 45 hrsI. LOG 9 - Analysis and Interpretation 60 hrsJ. LOG 10 - Frames Part II 25 hrsK. Midterm and Final Exam Preparation 25 hrs350 hrs

Eyeglasses Practicum Level One (ODP525) & Eyeglasses Practicum Level Two(ODP526)Students are required to complete Eyeglasses Practicum Levels One and Two (ODP525 &ODP526), consisting of 1000 practical hours and specific practicum objectives. These coursesare to be completed in conjunction with Eyeglasses Year One. These Practicum Levels areprerequisites to moving into Eyeglasses Year Two and are due based on the date specified in theStudent Handbook, received prior to course commencement.It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all requirements of the program arecompleted within the time-frame specified.Eyeglasses Year Two (ODP2) – Computer Based LearningCourse Length: 32 weeksHours: 350.00Credits: 22.0Start and End DatesSeptember Intake 2011: September 12 to April 30January Intake 2012*: January 9 to August 19* January intake is only available in Alberta, BC, Newfoundland, Ontario & QuebecEnrolment DeadlinesSeptember Intake: August 8, 2011January Intake: December 1, 2011After successfully completing Eyeglasses Year One, Eyeglasses Practicum Level One andEyeglasses Practicum Level Two, you can enroll in Eyeglasses Year Two. In this course you’llexpand your knowledge of the theories and concepts to a more advanced level. You’ll learn aboutfostering communication, conflict resolution and lens finishing. Emphasis will be placed on theuse of instruments and tools, optics, available lens products, surgical alternatives and analysisand interpretation of prescriptions.The program contains a course of study governed by textbooks prescribed in Eyeglasses YearOne and computer-based learning guided by an online instructor. Students must have dailyaccess to a computer and a designated email address. Course content is accessed online.Students must complete online assessments and assignments and participate in onlinediscussions. Students are also required to complete a hands-on practical lab test, complete awritten midterm examination and complete a written final examination. The lab tests andexaminations are not completed online.The midterm and final examination venues will be based on the location of the majority ofstudents and will be a maximum of 250 km from your home city/town. Examinations are amaximum of 3 hours in length and consist of 100 multiple-choice questions. Examinations MUSTbe written on the scheduled day at the scheduled time.

Major TopicsTime AllocationA. Learning with LOGs 5 hrsB. LOG 11 – Advanced Ophthalmic Lens Design 55 hrsC. LOG 12 – Advanced Ophthalmic Optics 50 hrsD. LOG 13 – Lens Finishing 35 hrsE. LOG 14 – Analysis and Interpretation 75 hrsF. LOG 15 – Conflict, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 45 hrsG. LOG 16 – Legal and Ethical Issues 20 hrsH. LOG 17 – Business Management I 20 hrsI. LOG 18 – Business Management II 20 hrsJ. Midterm and Final Exam Preparation 25 hrs350 hrsEyeglasses Practicum Level Three (ODP527) & Eyeglasses Practicum Level Four(ODP528)Students are required to complete Eyeglasses Practicum Levels Three and Four (ODP527 &ODP528), consisting of 1000 practical hours and specific practicum objectives. These coursesare to be completed in conjunction with Eyeglasses Year One. These Practicum Levels are duebased on the date specified in the Student Handbook, received prior to course commencement.It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all requirements of the program arecompleted within the time-frame specified.A student must complete all academic and practical courses of the two-yearprogram prior to being issued an Optical Sciences Eyeglasses Diploma.