Veterinary Technician - Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Description

The Veterinary Technician Associate of Applied Science is designed to prepare students to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination to become certified veterinary technicians. The program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities as a program for educating veterinary technicians.

The program provides education in subjects such as animal husbandry, nursing, nutrition, animal handling, parasitology, hematology, microbiology, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesiology, dental prophylaxis, surgical assisting, and office procedures. It includes practicums designed to provide practical, hands-on experience to build on skills learned in the classroom.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Perform comprehensive veterinary technician medical processes and apply critical thinking skills for optimal patient care.
  2. Utilize therapeutic and professional communication skills to achieve patient outcomes in collaboration with veterinary health care team members and clients.
  3. Apply principles of professionalism and confidentiality within the veterinary client/patient relationship.
  4. Implement ethical and legal standards as they apply to veterinary medical practice.
  5. Practice current concepts of infection control and occupational safety.
  6. Utilize knowledge of facility policies and procedures.

Entrance Requirements

Academic Entrance Requirements

Required:

  •  High school diploma or GED
  • The following prerequisite courses must be completed with a C grade or higher before applying to the program:
    • BI 101 General Biology: Cells & Genes or BI 221 Principles of Biology: Cells
    • CH 104 Introduction to Chemistry I or CH 221 General Chemistry I
    • WR 121Z Composition I
    • COMM 218Z Interpersonal Communication
    • Minimum placement Math Level 18 or complete MTH 095 Intermediate Algebra or MTH 111Z Precalculus I: Functions or higher
  • 40 hours of observation in a veterinary clinic

Other Entrance Requirements

Required:

  • Refer to the current program admissions handbook for a detailed description of admission requirements. Students must complete 40 hours of observation in a veterinary clinic, the program application, and must submit any required documentation as part of their application packet. Admission packets are available on the Veterinary Technician page. Applications are accepted biennially during Spring term for admission to the program the following Fall term.
  • Students must be 18 years of age or older before starting the program.
  • Once admitted into the program, students need to complete the following before Fall term:
    • 10-panel urine drug screen
    • Criminal history check
    • Documentation of immunizations
      • Tdap vaccine
      • Required: Pre-exposure rabies vaccination- Students need to provide proof of the completed 2 dose vaccination series or proof of adequate protection documented by a serologic test.

Additional Program Costs (Beyond Standard Tuition/Fees and Textbooks)

Material Costs

Required:

  • Criminal history check, drug screening, immunization verification: $120
  • In some cases, immunization cost for tetanus and rabies: $100 to $1000
  • Supplies, such as scrubs, lab jacket, coveralls, farm boots, stethoscope, thermometer, bandage scissors, wrist watch, name badge, calculator, laptop or tablet computer: $500 to $1200
  • Transportation costs: variable

Enrollment Fees

  • Student lab fee, per term: $300

Course Requirements

Course Title Credits
Prerequisite Courses
BI 101General Biology: Cells & Genes4-5
or BI 221 Principles of Biology: Cells
CH 104Introduction to Chemistry I5
or CH 221 General Chemistry I
COMM 218ZInterpersonal Communication4
WR 121ZComposition I4
Math skill level: Minimum placement Math Level 18 or complete MTH 095 Intermediate Algebra or MTH 111Z (or higher).
40 hours of observation in a veterinary clinic
Core Courses
VT 101Intro to Veterinary Technician3
VT 102Veterinary Terminology3
VT 103Animal Hospital and Office Procedures3
VT 108Small Animal Nursing4
VT 110Parasitology and Pathology4
VT 111Hematology and Urinalysis4
VT 112Advanced Small Animal Nursing4
VT 113Exotic and Lab Animal Medicine3
VT 114Pharmaceutical Math3
VT 116Pharmacology4
VT 117Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology I5
VT 118Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology II4
VT 200Radiation Safety2
VT 201Anesthesiology and Surgery Techniques4
VT 202Surgical Nursing and Dentistry4
VT 203Large Animal Nursing4
VT 204Diagnostic Imaging3
VT 206Small Animal Diseases4
VT 208Animal Nutrition2
VT 209Large Animal Diseases3
VT 212Veterinary Microbiology4
VT 280Clinical Practicum I9
VT 281Clinical Practicum II5
360 hours on-site at veterinary practices
Total Credits105-106

Advising Notes

Students are admitted to the Veterinary Technician program through a selective admission process. Admission to the program is competitive and enrollment is limited. Program courses must be taken in sequence.

Students are strongly recommended to attend a program information session to learn about the College's Veterinary Technician program and admission requirements prior to application submission. Currently, a cohort begins every other Fall term.

This program is intended for students seeking employment as veterinary technicians. These courses are not intended as preparation for a doctor of veterinary medicine degree. (See Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Veterinary AAOT). Some courses may transfer to other veterinary technician programs. Please contact your transfer institution for more information.

A pre-exposure Rabies vaccine is required to attend the Veterinary Technician Program. Students need to provide proof of the completed 2 dose vaccination series or proof of adequate protection documented by a serologic test. 

Performance Standards

  • Academic Requirements:
    • Students must earn a C or higher in each prerequisite course.

    • All Veterinary Technician courses must be completed with a C or higher to qualify for continuation in the program.

    • Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to earn a COCC certificate or degree.

  • Additional Requirements

    • Students must enroll full-time in all courses listed for each term.

    • All Veterinary Technician coursework must be successfully completed prior to entering the clinical practicum courses.

Sample Plan

Sample Plan Grid
First Year
FallCredits
BI 101
General Biology: Cells & Genes
or Principles of Biology: Cells
4-5
CH 104
Introduction to Chemistry I
or General Chemistry I
5
Math courses as needed to meet prerequisite skill level
COMM 218ZInterpersonal Communication4
WR 121ZComposition I4
40 hours of observation in a veterinary clinic
 Credits17-18
Second Year
Fall
VT 101Intro to Veterinary Technician3
VT 102Veterinary Terminology3
VT 103Animal Hospital and Office Procedures3
VT 117Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology I5
 Credits14
Winter
VT 108Small Animal Nursing4
VT 110Parasitology and Pathology4
VT 114Pharmaceutical Math3
VT 118Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology II4
 Credits15
Spring
VT 111Hematology and Urinalysis4
VT 112Advanced Small Animal Nursing4
VT 113Exotic and Lab Animal Medicine3
VT 116Pharmacology4
 Credits15
Third Year
Fall
VT 200Radiation Safety2
VT 201Anesthesiology and Surgery Techniques4
VT 203Large Animal Nursing4
VT 209Large Animal Diseases3
VT 212Veterinary Microbiology4
 Credits17
Winter
VT 202Surgical Nursing and Dentistry4
VT 204Diagnostic Imaging3
VT 206Small Animal Diseases4
VT 208Animal Nutrition2
 Credits13
Spring
VT 280Clinical Practicum I9
VT 281Clinical Practicum II5
360 hours on-site at veterinary practices
 Credits14
 Total Credits105-106

Outside of
expected

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