Diploma in Optician

Be at the forefront of eye care practice, working as part of a multi-disciplinary vision care team. Students will study ocular pathology, refracting and pharmacology, as well as business and retail aspects of the profession.

The Optician program trains students to be in the forefront of eye care practice, working as part of a multi-disciplinary vision care team.

Students will study ocular pathology, refracting and pharmacology, as well as business and retail aspects of the profession. Application of the theory will be demonstrated through clinical competencies focusing on refraction, filling eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions, ensuring a proper fit, and determining clients’ eyewear needs.

These skills, along with business and retail skills, will be practiced and demonstrated in dynamic, patient-centered environments in the form of classroom lectures, laboratory practice, and clinical practicum placements.

Credentials and accreditation

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be awarded a SAIT Optician Diploma.

Additionally, graduates will be prepared to challenge the National Association of Canadian Optician Regulators (NACOR) exam and obtain a dual license as both a dispensing optician and a contact lens fitter.

Accreditation

The Optician program delivered by SAIT is aligned with the competencies outlined by the National Association of Canadian Optician Regulators (NACOR) guidelines and will seek accreditation with Accreditation Canada starting in 2020/21.

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is built on passion — shared by our students, faculty, and staff — to shape new worlds as entrepreneurs, leaders and community builders.

Shape your world

Established in 1916, SAIT in Calgary, Canada is a global leader in applied education and offers 100+ career programs, 1,300+ continuing education courses and corporate training courses to more than 200 companies annually.

SAIT students study within eight academic schools — Business, Construction, Energy, Health and Public Safety, Hospitality and Tourism, Information and Communications Technologies, Manufacturing and Automation and Transportation.

Hands-on learning in unique labs and classrooms, solution-focused research and enterprising collaborations with industry partners ensure SAIT students are career-ready when they graduate.

SAIT Schools

SAIT prepares you for your career by offering programs through our eight schools — all focusing on a different field. Within each school, instructors bring their industry expertise to students who learn through a combination of theory and action-based learning.

Our schools are equipped with state-of-the-art labs, allowing you to get hands-on experience using real-world equipment to train you for a career in your chosen field.

Vision Statement

To be a global leader in applied education.

We believe in:

• Excellence as demonstrated by fresh thinking, best practices, entrepreneurial initiatives, bold solutions to new opportunities and fiscal responsibility.
• Collaboration and we work together as a learning community to serve our students and partners.
• Fairness modeled by honest and ethical dealings in our relationships with students, employees, and partners.

Alumni

As a SAIT graduate, you belong to a proud community of SAIT alumni ― You are a member of the SAIT Alumni Family, a network of more than 247,000 graduates around the world.

Enjoy access to exclusive perks, events, contests, and unique volunteer opportunities. We invite you to stay connected.

Alumni Perks

As a member of the SAIT Alumni Family, we're proud to provide you with many exclusive benefits and services.

Graduating from SAIT means you are a lifelong member of an exclusive club associated with Canada's premier polytechnic. You're connected to a network of over 248,000 highly-skilled professionals across Canada and around the world.

Benefits and services for SAIT graduates

As a member of the SAIT Alumni Family, we're proud to provide you with many exclusive benefits and services, including:

• Preferred rates on home, auto, and life insurance
• SAIT Career Advancement Centre services
• Discounted fitness membership at SAIT
• Alumni publications
• Alumni contests
• Other campus services

Awards

• Alberta's Top 70 Employers
• Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada
• Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures
• Alberta's Best Workplace for Training and Development
• Alberta's Best Workplace for Employee Benefits
• Premier's Award for Healthy Workplaces

Winter 21 International Student Entrance Award

Award Value(s): $2,000 each this is a one time award, total value $34,000

Criteria Selection:

• For an International student entering their program in the Winter 2021 term
• Eligible students must be studying in-person on one of SAIT’s Calgary campuses
• Financial need
• Please describe how you will improve the SAIT Student Community as a whole in 250-350 words
• Preference given to students attending SAIT who come from previously identified emerging markets

Application Process:

• Apply on-line thorugh your Mysait.ca account
• Deadline for students to apply: December 15, 2020

Selection Process:

• The department will score the student award nominees based on specific criteria
• SAIT’s Alumni and Development personnel will determine the award recipient based on all criteria components