HPU School of Optometry

The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) is the only accrediting body for professional optometric degree (O.D.) programs, optometric residency programs, and optometric technician programs in the United States and Canada.

HPU School of Optometry does not currently hold a formal accreditation status. The ACOE has granted High Point University School of Optometry (HPUSO) Stage Two designation. This classification is granted to a proposed professional optometric degree program indicating that the proposed program's planning and development are sufficient to warrant an on-site evaluation review in consideration of Preliminary Approval Status. The site visit was completed May 2026.

To learn more about the ACOE accreditation process, please visit the ACOE website.

The School of Optometry is part of HPU’s $400 million investment in academic expansion, which includes schools of law, nursing, entrepreneurship and the Workman School of Dental Medicine. Most of these schools will be built in a hub on the university’s Innovation Corridor. Congdon Hall, which houses the Congdon School of Health Sciences and Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy, is also located in the centralized hub for graduate education. HPU students will benefit from interdisciplinary learning by connecting and collaborating with each other. Heyman said she is excited to join the HPU family and to learn from her fellow deans.

“I’m looking forward to bringing my passion for optometry, administrative experience and educating future health care professionals to our beautiful campus,” said Heyman. “All of us working together can create the HPU experience for our future students and faculty, and build the optometry program into a premier program.”