- May I speak with a customer care representative?
- What will my job duties be?
- How much money can I expect to earn as an Optometric Technician?
- When does the program start?
- How much does the program cost?
- Where can I do my externship?
- Is the externship paid?
- When do I begin my externship?
- How many hours are required for the externship?
- Will I have homework?
- Is the program challenging and time consuming?
- What are the pre-requisites for this course?
- Is the math and English difficult?
- What happens if I don’t pass the English and math placement test?
- Can I get a refund?
- What does the program fee include?
- Will I receive a certificate?
- How many absences are allowed?
- How do I get my books?
- Would I be considered a full-time or part-time student?
- Can I make payments?
- Do you offer financial assistance?
1) May I speak with a customer care representative?
Yes. You may call 1-800-201-1141 to speak to a highly trained Customer Care Representative. They are experts in providing answers to questions including: about certifications, externships, payment options and more.
2) What will my job duties be?
Optometric technicians assist in testing patients' vision, providing frame styling services, and instructing patients in contact lens handling. They administer vision therapy programs prescribed by the licensed eye care professional.
3) How much money can I expect to earn as an Optometric Technician?
According to the Employment Development Department's Occupational Guide for Optometric Technicians, the market for this profession starting pay is from $12 – $16 per hour for graduates.
4) When does the program start?
August 29, 2009
5) How much does the program cost?
$2,895 includes the cost of books, supplies, and externship.(price subject to change)
6) Where can I do my externship?
Boston Reed College’s externship department coordinates and manages information and processes regarding student externship placement. More information about externships, including pre-requisites, guidelines, policies and procedures can be found here:
http://bostonreed.com/documents/externships.pdf
7) Is the externship paid?
No, but externship hours are required to complete the program.
8) When do I begin my externship?
Halfway through the class you are eligible to begin your externship hours, or you may begin when the course is completed. Your instructor will explain and answer all of your externship questions during the ninth class meeting.
9) How many hours are required for the externship?
120 externship hours are required for the completion of this program. Hours range from 8-40 hours per week. Students have up to one year after the start date of the course to complete their externship.
10) Will I have homework?
Yes.
11) Is the program challenging and time consuming?
Yes, you will have to study outside of class to be successful in this program. Attending every class, doing the assigned homework, and dedicating time to study are keys to success.
12) What are the pre-requisites for this course?
- Students must be at least 18 years of age prior to externship placement.
- Student must have high school completion or its equivalent prior to externship placement.
- Basic math and English competency.
Prior to placement in an externship, students will be required to provide:
- Proof of computer literacy.
- CPR for the Healthcare Provider
- A Physical/Physician's Examination including Tuberculosis (TB) testing
- A current resume
Costs associated with obtaining the externship pre-requisites are the student’s responsibility and are not included in the course fees.
13) Is the math and English difficult?
In order to be successful in this course you must have a basic mastery of the English language as well as knowledge of basic mathematical calculations. A sample math and English test can be found on the website for you to review and judge the level of difficulty for yourself.
14) What happens if I don’t pass the English and math placement test?
At the first class meeting the math and English prescreening will be given. Students must pass the English pre-screening test with a score of 80% or better. On the math test students also need to pass with 80% or better, however, students who score between 50-79% will have the opportunity to be admitted to the course on the condition they pursue outside resources or math tutoring to sharpen their skills.
Boston Reed College strives to help students to be successful in the course. The pre-assessment exams are administered to help evaluate whether students are at baseline knowledge for math and English so students will be able to keep up with the comprehensive delivery of the course. Students scoring below 60% will be withdrawn from the program and given a 100% refund, if books are returned to Boston Reed College in excellent condition within 14 days of course start date.
15) Can I get a refund?
Yes a prorated refund is available through 50% of the class meetings dates. A time sensitive prorated refund schedule is available online at http://www.canyons.edu/offices/com_ext/optometricrefund.asp
16) What does the program fee include?
The course fee includes books, supplies, externship, and certificate of completion.
17) Will I receive a certificate?
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion issued by Boston Reed College and can take the optional Certified Paraoptometric Examination (CPO) offered by the American Optometric Association (AOA).
18) How many absences are allowed?
A maximum of three absences are allowed and make-up tests or exams are not allowed. Please consider this when taking time off.
19) How do I get my books?
Books will be mailed to you after your registration has been processed. Allow at least ten business days to receive your books.
20) Would I be considered a full-time or part-time student?
Part-time.
21) Can I make payments?
No. The full amount is due at the time of registration. Students who will be using financial assistance should begin the application process at least three weeks before they intend to register.
22) Do you offer financial assistance?
Community Education or College of the Canyons do not offer financial aid; however, students are encouraged to research educational loans through a local lending agency such as a bank or credit union.
Boston Reed College does have a relationship with SLM Financial that enables students to apply for a “Career Training Loan” that is based on income and credit score. Applicants may also use a ‘co-borrower’ to help their eligibility for approval. You may submit an on-line loan application and follow the following these step by step instructions: Go to www.slmfinancial.com
Select Schools/Students.
Select a ‘Career training loan’.
Click ‘apply now’
School Section:
Question: Please select the state where you plan to attend school
Answer: CA (this is the only option even if you are attending in another state)
Question: Please select the school you plan to attend
Answer: Boston Reed College, Napa, Ca 94558
Question: Please enter the contact name at the school
Answer: Lauren Mullen
Web site terms of use:
Read it thoroughly and click ‘I accept’.
Eligibility: You will be asked to provide the following information
Social Security Number
Date of Birth
Citizenship (U.S. Citizen or Non-Citizen Permanent Resident)
Enrollment Period: You will be asked to provide the following information
Start date
End date
*If you do not know the start and end date, then select a date one month from today and add-on six months to the end date.
Borrower Information: You will be asked to provide the following information
First name
Middle name
Last name
E-mail address
Have you ever defaulted on a loan?
Driver’s license state and number
Physical Address
Length at address
Phone numbers
Prior Address
Loan Information: You will be asked to provide the following information
Total amount requested
Tuition amount
Additional expenses (cannot exceed 60% of tuition amount)
Repayment terms (years)
Repayment options (interest only or deferment- postponement of payments -while in school)
Anticipated graduation date *If you do not know the start and end date, then select a date one month from today and add-on six months to the end date.
Income and Expense Information: You will be asked to provide the following information
Length at employer
Gross monthly income
Housing status
Mortgage or Rent amount
Other monthly income
School Disbursement: You will be asked to provide the following information
Question: Amount
Answer: Full tuition amount
Question: Disbursement date
Answer: First day of class
Click ‘Submit Credit’
You will get one of the following replies within 30 seconds:
-Approved
-Denied
-Pending review
You will then receive an email with information about the above status of you application. If you do not receive an email or have questions about your application contact SLM Financial at 888-272-5543. To expedite your application process, be prepared to provide printed copies of official documents proving your identity if requested at a later date, (i.e. a copy of driver’s license, social security card, etc.) Additional documents or documentation may be required by SLM Financial to complete your loan process.
If you still have questions you may contact Boston Reed College at 800-201-1141. Select ‘0’ to speak to a live, customer service operator who can answer questions, check on status or refer you to the next step accordingly.
Once approved for the loan you will receive an application / confirmation number from SLM Financial. At this time please provide your college with the confirmation number assigned by SLM Financial.