University of Detroit Mercy Launches a New School of Optometry
UDM takes a bold step forward to help train the next generation of optometry professionals
and fill the regional need for optometrists throughout the country
In late November 2024, the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) announced the launch of the Detroit Mercy School of Optometry, located in Novi, Michigan.
It is only the 25th School of Optometry in the United States and the second in Michigan. Applications are now being accepted for the first class that begins in fall 2025. The school will operate on Detroit Mercy’s Novi Campus, located at 41555 W. 12 Mile Road. The University opened the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute on that campus to statewide and national fanfare and began accepting patients in April of 2024.
“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,” said University President Donald B. Taylor. “More than three years of hard work by many talented and dedicated people has contributed to [this] announcement.”
Discussion about a School of Optometry began several years ago when Mert Aksu, dean of the School of Dentistry, approached leadership about the national need for schools of optometry and the potential for UDM to create one in southeast Michigan.
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 several factors, such as:
The School of Optometry and Eye Institute also represent examples of UDM’s Jesuit and Mercy mission in action. The development of both has provided UDM a significant opportunity to expand the University’s healthcare footprint in southeast Michigan and serve individuals in need.
For Pamela Zarkowski, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, this new school represents an important historical step to extend UDM’s reach and provide much-needed vision care for the entire Michigan community.
“Loss of vision is such a huge public health issue and impacts millions of people in the United States,” she said. “UDM’s legacy of developing initiatives to meet these needs are essential and help us fulfill our mission as a Catholic university.”
The U.S. 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.