The University of Detroit Mercy is stepping into the future with clear vision as they received pre-accreditation approval to launch a new School of Optometry in Novi, Michigan. As reported by CBS News Detroit, classes at the new school are slated to commence in the fall of 2025. The decision arrived after an apparent four-year discussion to fill the expanding need for optometrists across Michigan and the nation.
About the job outlook for optometrists, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 9% employment increase from 2023 to 2033. This growth is described as above average, with factors like an aging population and the retirement of current practitioners contributing to demand. University President Donald B. Taylor expressed enthusiasm for this step forward, stating in a release obtained by UDM News, "This is an exciting day for the University, our Michigan community and for the thousands of prospective students around the country who dream of becoming an optometrist."
Following its strategic expansion in healthcare, the University previously opened the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute in April 2024, which has already begun accepting patients. This move aligns with the institution's Jesuit and Mercy mission to produce skilled, ethical, and culturally sensitive eye care practitioners. The new school will be the second of its kind in Michigan and notably the 25th in the U.S. Prospective students are encouraged to submit their applications come December, as noted by PR Newswire.
The Detroit Mercy School of Optometry is priming its faculty with esteemed professionals such as Maryke Neiberg, positioned as Dean, and other notable names contributing to vision science and healthcare. "We have an exceptional team of faculty and staff experts with years of experience ready to train the next generation of vision care leaders," told Neiberg to UDM News. The median salary for optometrists was nearly $132,000 a year in 2023, and the estimated 2,200 annual job openings make this an appealing field for the new school’s graduates.
With comprehensive programs to meet community health needs, the University of Detroit Mercy's investment in optometry education aims to address both public health concerns and offer substantial career opportunities. For more information and for inquiries on admissions, the University has provided contact details for Steven Chang, executive director of Admissions, at [email protected], and Juliette Daniels, associate dean of Student Services & Enrollment Management, at [email protected].
