Exciting News for Novi: New School of Optometry on the Way!
Hey, Novi! Have you heard the fantastic news? The University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) is making waves with the announcement of a brand new School of Optometry on its Novi campus. This is a big deal because it will be only the 25th optometry school in the entire United States and the second one right here in Michigan!
Pre-Accreditation Approval: A Milestone Achieved
UDM has received pre-accreditation approval from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), which is a significant step toward opening its doors to students. Applications will kick off in December, with plans for the first class to begin in fall 2025. How exciting is that?
Detroit Mercy Eye Institute: A Step Ahead
But that’s not all! UDM has already set up the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute on the Novi campus, which began accepting patients back in April. This institute is not just a fantastic place for training students; it’s also providing essential vision care to the community. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
Why Another Optometry School?
You might wonder why this new school is even necessary. Well, the need for optometrists is on the rise, both in Michigan and across the U.S. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment for optometrists will grow by a whopping 9 percent between 2023 and 2033! That’s faster than the average for all occupations!
This growth is fueled by several factors including an aging population that requires more vision care services. As we all know, as people age, they tend to need more eye care. Additionally, there’s a growing awareness of eye health, not to mention the need to replace retiring optometrists.
Anticipated Opportunities Await
To give you an idea of what that means for future optometrists: the BLS estimates there will be around 2,200 job openings for optometrists each year over the next decade. That’s a bright outlook for anyone considering entering this field!
A Mission of Care
The administration at UDM is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring that the new School of Optometry meets the needs of the community. According to UDM, this initiative represents a significant step in expanding their health care footprint and providing much-needed vision care services. Plus, it aligns perfectly with UDM’s Jesuit and Mercy mission, focusing on producing skilled, ethical, and culturally sensitive eye care practitioners.
The Financial Side Looks Great!
Now let’s talk about some numbers! The median salary for optometrists in 2023 was nearly $132,000 a year. And if that isn’t enough to get you excited, consider this: with so many open positions expected, there’s a good chance that graduates from this new school will find fulfilling careers ahead!
What’s Next?
As UDM gears up for this exciting launch, they are focused on assembling a top-notch faculty and staff dedicated to shaping the future of optometry. If you’re interested in following this journey or want to learn more about what the School of Optometry will offer, you can check out optometry.udmercy.edu.
So, mark your calendars for December! The University of Detroit Mercy is poised to not just change lives but also to change the future of eye care right here in Novi and beyond. What an exciting time to be part of this community!
