Becoming an optometrist in today’s world is a great idea.
This career path allows you to touch people’s lives and create a beneficial impact on society.
However, to become an optometrist, you must acquire a medical degree and complete some advanced training in optometry specialty and a residency.
Read on to find out the best optometry schools in Michigan, the requirements for attending any of these schools, how long it takes to acquire such a degree, and other important information about an optometry career.
Who Is An Optometrist?
Optometrists assess and recommend treatment for medical conditions affecting the eyes.
These experts plan to look after their patients to boost their eyesight.
Optometrists have the technical abilities required to assess a patient’s eyesight and search for any deficiencies in their sight.
They sensitize their clients to the best eye health practices, and when needed, they give them glasses to boost their ability to see correctly.
Is Optometry A Good Career Path?
Here are some of the benefits of becoming an optometrist:
1. Flexible work schedule
Optometrists enjoy an excellent work-life balance.
As an optometrist, you will work for just 8 hours a day in most cases during the regular 9 to 5 work window.
This will give you more time to spend with your friends and loved ones, especially in the evenings, as your services are hardly required at night.
Taking up a career that allows you to have time for other responsibilities can enable you to build a promising career without neglecting other personal and family duties.
2. Opportunity to create an impact on the lives of people
Optometry is a career option that allows you to touch people’s lives positively.
Being in a position where you get to recommend treatment and supply glasses that boost people’s eyesight is priceless and will only make you live a satisfying life.
3. High demand
The demand for optometrists in society is high.
Hospitals and clinics always seek to employ these professionals because they have rare expertise.
Thus, working as an optometrist offers some job security.
4. Opportunity to make friends
Optometrists interact with patients to know what is wrong with them, which will guide them in devising the best treatment for their optical condition.
As a result, some optometrists get to develop a close relationship with clients.
So, if you are more of a social breed that loves to meet people and make new pals, becoming an optometrist is good for you.
Building valuable connections with many of your clients will enable you to receive free recommendations for your services to people that need them.
5. A good number of sub-specialties
Optometry is one of the many specialties in the field of medicine.
However, it also has sub-specialties, such as family practice, geriatric optometry, and pediatric optometry.
Thus, embarking on a career in a field with several sub-specialties will make it easy for you to focus your education in an area that interests you and fits your skill set.
6. Good income
According to Indeed.com, the average salary of an optometrist is about $300,000 per annum.
This places optometrists among the highest-earning professionals in the world.
So, an optometrist is an excellent option if you aspire to make lots of money in your career.
However, you need to know that your salary as an optometrist will increase or decrease from the average figure based on your experience level, the sub-specialty that you focus on, your level of education, and where you work.
Requirements For Attending An Optometry School In Michigan
To attend optometry school in Michigan, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree in science or its related field
- A high GPA
- A completed application
- Letters of Recommendation
- Good OAT scores
- Payment of application fee
- A good criminal record
- Interview Appearance
How Long Does It Take To Complete Optometry School In Michigan?
You can complete optometry school in four years.
However, before securing admission into an optometry school, you must spend about four years completing a bachelor of science or its related degree program.
Moreover, after graduating from optometry school, you must complete a residency in this field for one year.
You may even need to complete further training before practicing in this field.
5 Best Optometry Schools In Michigan
There are several optometry schools in Michigan.
However, in no particular order, here are the best schools for optometry education in Michigan:
1. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor is one of the best optometry schools in Michigan.
This school runs an eye center regarded as one of the world’s top-ranking centers for vision care and research.
The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor instructors are made up of seasoned optometrists and award-winning researchers, and this school’s research projects have proven helpful to society.
The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor has one of the best teaching hospitals for optometry students and students to acquire an in-depth knowledge of practical ophthalmology and cataract surgical processes.
Moreover, this school offers an excellent optometry research program that delves into vision’s genetic, molecular, and biochemical bedrock.
It remains an academic institution encouraging innovative scientific approaches to develop quality treatments for dangerous eye diseases.
2. Wayne State University
Wayne State University is another top-ranking optometry school in Michigan.
This school runs the Kresge Eye Institute (KEI), one of the best teaching hospitals.
KEI treats over 100,000 patients annually and conducts about 5,000 surgical procedures.
The optometry faculty at Wayne State University has garnered many years of experience providing treatment for several eye health challenges.
Moreover, Wayne State University remains one of the ideal destinations for anyone to acquire top-class eye care education that focuses on developing personalized treatment.
The institute’s students learn about advanced diagnostic techniques for evaluating eye conditions and devising prognoses for eye diseases.
Many simple and complex clinical types of research occur at Wayne State University all year round.
The research efforts of this school focus on the retina, spinal cord, neurosciences, and many others.
3. Michigan State University
Michigan State University is one of the best optometry schools in Michigan.
This school has a reputation for providing well-trained optometrists with the independent capacity to provide quality eye care.
At Michigan State University, optometry students develop the ability to prescribe ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, and several other optical devices.
The optometry program at this institution can be completed in just four years, and graduates of this school are widely respected worldwide.
4. Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is an ideal addition to this list.
This college runs an eye-care department that has produced some of the best optometrists in the world.
Every year, much research in the school mainly focuses on developing a treatment for blindness and low vision-related challenges.
Credible optometrists deliver the lectures at this school with good knowledge of several field areas.
Moreover, optometry students at Western Michigan University acquire quality practical experience thanks to the several unified clinics that the school runs.
Students get to acquire knowledge of eye-care evaluation, glare assessment, and equipment use, and they also get to use top-notch eye-care equipment.
5. Ferris State University
Ferris State University is one of the best optometry schools in Michigan.
This school is known for providing quality optometry education to both bachelor and graduate students.
Many graduates of this academic institution are making immense contributions towards satisfying the healthcare needs of society.
The top-quality learning experiences that optometry students acquire at FSU result from the presence of faculty that are not just exceptional at their job but are fully committed to the education of students.
Moreover, Western Michigan University encourages collaborative learning at all levels.
It is an ideal destination for anyone seeking advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technology education regarding optometry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On Optometry Schools In Michigan
SUNY College of Optometry has the lowest acceptance rate of all optometry schools in the United States.
The average salary of optometrists in Alaska is $180,000 annually, making it the highest-paying state for optometrists in the United States.
With an average salary of about £100,000 for optometrists, Japan is the country that pays optometrists the highest salary in the world.
Optometrists are in high demand all over the US. The Bureau of Labour Statistics projects that the job growth for optometrists is 9.6%.
Conclusion
In addition to the schools listed above, Oakland University and Kettering University are two other top-ranking optometry schools in Michigan.
However, to excel educationally at any of these schools, ensure you attend all the classes, develop a good relationship with your instructors, and study intensively.
Awesome one; I hope this article answers your question.
Editor’s Recommendations:
- Rejected from Medical School? 7 Best Options (FAQs)
- How to skip a grade (Expert tips, Best time, five Alternatives, Best Option?)
- OPT to Green Card (Everything you need to know)
- How To Become A Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- How to become an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
- 5 Best Phlebotomy Schools In Las Vegas (FAQs)
If you find this article good, please share it with a friend.
