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Program Snapshot
Academic CredentialAssociate in Arts (AA)
Total Credit Hours60
Average Time to Complete2 yrs.
Academic PathwayScience, Technology, Engineering & Math
AdvisorGreg Robinson, Associate Professor
Program Advisor
850.769.1551 ext. 2853
grobinso4@gulfcoast.edu

Senior Administrative AssistantKathy Bleday
850.872.3851
kbleday@gulfcoast.edu

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Optometry, AA

Are You Interested in Helping Others See More Clearly?

Have you ever wondered how exactly we see the world around us? Are you interested in finding solutions to problems such as near and farsightedness and glaucoma? If so, you should consider a career as an optometrist.

As an optometrist, you’ll do more than simply administer vision tests and prescribe glasses and contact lenses. While these are standard and common practices, you’ll also be on the front lines of treating the causes and symptoms of diseases ranging from cataracts and diabetes to parasitic worm infections! You will work closely with doctors in other fields to help patients rehabilitate after illness or injury that affects their vision.

You can get a job in a hospital or a rehabilitation center, join an existing optometry practice, or start your own private practice. You can move anywhere in the country and not have to worry about job security.  Optometrists are needed everywhere.

With the Baby Boomer population getting older and most vision problems occurring later in life, demand for optometry jobs is increasing much faster than average. The number of optometrist jobs is expected to grow by 27% through 2024. Gulf Coast State College is here to help you build a solid foundation that will prepare you to continue your studies in optometry at a four-year institution. We offer the necessary prerequisites for the state of Florida university baccalaureate programs.

Optometry Equipment

Optometry Course Requirements

English I & II
Visual and Performing Arts
Philosophy/Religion
Literature
Statistics
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
Chemistry
Biology
General Psychology
History
Government
Biology Courses
Chemistry Courses
Approved Physics

A complete list of courses with descriptions can be found in the Catalog

What can you do with an Optometry AA Degree?

In this field, people find careers as:

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
Opticians, Dispensing
Optometrists

Gulf Coast alumni of this program have continued their education at:

University of Tampa
University of Miami
University of Florida
University of South Florida

Glasses on a eye chart
Adam Future Optometrist

Meet Adam - Future Optometrist

"All of my instructors have been mentors to me; the small classroom sizes have allowed for each instructor to get to know me and I have them to thank for my success. " – Optometry Major
Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Lee Wood, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.