Georgia Southern plans to launch optometry program in 2029

STATESBORO, Ga. (WTOC) - Georgia Southern University plans to start a Doctor of Optometry program in fall 2029, aiming to address what university leaders describe as a shortage of eye care providers in Georgia and across the country. The University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved the program, which Georgia Southern says would be the first of its kind in the state.

The state’s Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, House Bill 973, includes $29.8 million in direct funding to launch the new college. The program is pending final approval by the Commission on Colleges and Universities and is in the first stage of accreditation with the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, the university said.

Program details

The university plans to start with a cohort of 48 students and eventually increase enrollment to 64. Students will complete four years of study, including 185 credit hours and more than 2,000 clinical hours.

“We are going to create a program that will keep our students in the state and, most importantly, make sure that we train our students to serve the rural and underserved population better than most other schools in the country,” said Avimandan Mukherjee, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

Georgia Southern says the curriculum will emphasize preparing students for board exams, as well as helping them understand patient care, insurance, technology and affordability. Mukherjee said the university has built a network of local professionals to help shape the program, including a partnership with the Georgia Ophthalmology Association, which is leading a task force.

“There is a severe shortage of trained optometrists and ophthalmologists in the state,” Mukherjee said. “And what we will do is to just improve the quality of life for everyone. And one example I can think about is our 34,000 students or so that are at Georgia Southern.”

Mukherjee cited a shortage of providers in Georgia, which he said has 14.7 optometrists per 100,000 people, compared with 18.3 nationally. He also added that the national demand of about 2,300 optometrists a year compared with about 1,900 graduates and said there are only 25 optometry schools in the country.

Hiring and facilities

The Board of Regents’ approval allows Georgia Southern to recruit an inaugural dean. The dean will lead subsequent hiring, including an associate dean, an assistant dean, clinical and research directors, 25 specialized faculty members and 12 support staff, Mukherjee said.

The university plans to renovate an existing facility for classrooms, labs, offices and student spaces, but plans to build a new building for clinical classes.

The university said its existing health care programs and local clinical partnerships will support hands-on training. It expects the program to prepare graduates to serve patients in Georgia and contribute to meeting national demand.