Georgia Southern University has announced plans to open Georgia’s first college of optometry in fall 2029. The program is supported by $29.8 million in state funding to expand optometric education and address eye care workforce needs.
The University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved the Doctor of Optometry degree program on Oct. 6, allowing the university to move forward with establishing the college.
Addressing Eye Care Workforce Needs
The university says the new college will help address shortages of eye care providers, particularly in rural and underserved communities, while allowing students to pursue optometric education without leaving Georgia.
“The new college of optometry will enhance Georgia Southern’s growing portfolio of health professions programs and further solidify the University’s role as a leader in meeting Georgia’s workforce needs,” says Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero.
Program Leadership
According to Avimandan Mukherjee, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, the university has established an Optometric Education Task Force, led by Horace Deal, OD, to guide curriculum development, accreditation planning, clinical education, and partnerships.
“This Doctor of Optometry program, the state’s first program of its kind, represents an important investment in health care education in Georgia by expanding regional health care access and removing geographic barriers for residents seeking optometric education and care,” Mukherjee says. “Building on a comprehensive health care education portfolio and interprofessional experiential pedagogies at Georgia Southern, this program will serve to expand access to ocular medicine while educating future Georgia optometrists.”
Next Steps
According to WTOC, the university plans to enroll an initial class of 48 students and will eventually increase enrollment to 64. The four-year program will include 185 credit hours and more than 2,000 clinical hours.
The Board of Regents’ approval also allows Georgia Southern to recruit an inaugural dean, followed by additional academic leadership, clinical and research directors, 25 specialized faculty members, and 12 support staff.
The program is currently in the first stage of accreditation with the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education and is pending final approval by the Commission on Colleges and Universities.