University of Detroit Mercy receives accreditation approval to launch new School of Optometry

DETROIT, Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) recently received pre-accreditation approval from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) for a new School of Optometry.

It will be only the 25th School of Optometry in the U.S. and second in Michigan. Applications will be accepted starting in December for the first class that begins in fall 2025 at the Novi, Mich., campus. The University opened the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute on that campus and began accepting patients in April of 2024.

UDM developed the school to meet a growing need for optometrists in Michigan and the United States. Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for this field will grow 9% from 2023 to 2033. This rate of growth is faster than average for all occupations and is based on factors, such as an aging population requiring more vision care services, increasing awareness of eye health, and the need to replace optometrists who retire or leave the workforce.

Faculty, staff and University leadership have worked together to identify programs and services for the new school to meet community needs. The development of the School of Optometry and Eye Institute represents an important step to expand the University's healthcare footprint and provide much-needed vision care for the Michigan community and beyond. Both entities support UDM's Jesuit and Mercy mission to produce highly skilled, ethical and culturally sensitive eye care practitioners.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median salary in 2023 for optometrists was nearly $132,000 a year. In addition, the BLS projects that there will be approximately 2,200 openings for optometrists each year for the next decade or more.

Detroit Mercy School of Optometry Faculty & Administration

The faculty and administration of the Detroit Mercy School of Optometry bring comprehensive vision science research and healthcare expertise.

• Maryke Neiberg, Dean https://www.udmercy.edu/about/people/university/optometry/maryke-neiberg.php
  
  
• Sulman Hans, Executive Associate Dean and Associate Professor https://www.udmercy.edu/about/people/university/optometry/sulman-hans.php
  
  
• Naureen Haroon, Assistant Dean of Academic Administration and Assistant Professor https://www.udmercy.edu/about/people/university/optometry/naureen-haroon.php
  
  
• Robert Onofre, Assistant Dean of Clinic Administration and Assistant Professor https://www.udmercy.edu/about/people/university/optometry/robert-onofre.php
  
  
• Pablo De Gracia, Director of Research and Associate Professor https://www.udmercy.edu/about/people/university/optometry/pablo-degracia.php

To learn more about the Detroit Mercy School of Optometry, visit https://optometry.udmercy.edu.

SOURCE University of Detroit Mercy