Ian Juarez EDINBURG – With the UTRGV School of Optometry set to open in Fall 2027, KVAQ-TV spoke with its dean, William Miller, who shared in his inaugural semester how this program is the most affordable in the state.
With the program’s tuition set at $21,147 annually, this sits below other institutions like University of Houston at $28,509 and University of the Incarnate World at $44,187 annually.
Miller said this program is different as it will focus on peer-based learning rather than instructor lectures, while utilizing technologies other programs are not using.
“And so basically, students will go Monday, Tuesday to class, Wednesday will be a team-based learning experience, and then they’ll go [to] class Thursday and Friday.” Miller said. “Plastinates are actually latex injected cadavers and so we will be the only School of Optometry that actually teaches anatomy using plastinates.”
Miller shared some of the benefits the new program will bring including but not limited to a public access clinic, a gym, a grab-and-go food center and a library.
The UTRGV School of Optometry is set to open in Fall 2027 with an estimated inaugural class of 40 students.
For more information see our previous coverage on the program.
