Veterinary Degrees Online

Turn a love of animals into a lifetime career with our Veterinary Technology degree. In our associate’s and bachelor’s programs, students work hand-in-hand with doctors and veterinary technicians by performing lab tests, drawing blood, assisting in surgery, and caring for animals. With experience in working with domestic, exotic and farm animals of every shape and size, students are well-prepared for careers in veterinary hospitals and clinics.

Our associate in science degree in Veterinary Technology is one of seven programs in New York. This is a rigorous academic program with a strong emphasis on practical application. The program includes professional, liberal arts, and preceptorship (internship) requirements, as recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Classes are designed around the responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician, with core courses in Laboratory Animal Science, Small Animal Diseases and Nutrition, Farm Animal Restraint, and Veterinary Practice Management. Students also have the option to continue at Medaille for a Bachelor of Science degree in either Biology or Liberal Studies.

In 2001, Medaille College’s accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association was reconfirmed. This accreditation is recognized throughout the United States. Upon completion of the degree, students take a licensing exam to become certified as a Veterinary Technician. This exam is recognized in New York State and nationally. In the last 10 years, Medaille graduates have had a greater than 90% passing rate. Medaille graduates have experienced 100% job placement rates

This is an 8-quarter program with the last quarter consisting of an externship during which students will work with a veterinarian in a veterinary office. The veterinary technology program is accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), a division of the American Veterinary Medical Association. As a student in this program, you are trained to assist veterinarians in all aspects of a veterinary practice, including patient care, medical administration, surgical preparation, equipment maintenance, radiological procedures, laboratory procedures, public relations and office procedures. Upon graduation, the veterinary technician is qualified to take the National Veterinary Technician Exam and/or any other state exam required for registration, certification or licensure in that state.

This program is designed for students interested in a career in veterinary science and technology. The format allows a student to earn an associate degree in Veterinary Technology while working toward a bachelor of science degree in Veterinary Science. The course requirements for the freshman and sophomore years are outlined in the catalog associate degree programs under Veterinary Technology. Graduates of other associate degree programs in Veterinary Technology accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association may transfer directly into the bachelor’s degree program (as long as all mandatory courses have been completed and all pre-requisite courses for courses in the Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science Program have been or will have been met).

The demand for qualified graduates in veterinary science and technology far exceeds the supply. Employers cite an increasing need for well-trained veterinary science career professionals. Careful selection of courses and preceptorship experiences can help graduates meet eligibility requirements to sit for certification exams in clinical laboratory technology, emergency medicine and critical care, laboratory animal medicine, and to work in medical and pharmacological research.

Students are encouraged to work part-time in a veterinary practice or biotechnical research setting to maintain learned technical and nursing skills. Junior and senior students are also eligible to apply for employment as laboratory teaching assistants in the associate degree Veterinary Technology program.

The Veterinary Science curriculum has a collection of core course requirements and electives. The core requirements build a foundation of knowledge for all graduate veterinary technicians. The elective course offerings provide the opportunity for the student to pursue his/her individual interests such as laboratory animal medicine, companion animal medicine or prepare to pursue a postgraduate degree (MS, Ph.D., DVM).

This broad-based baccalaureate degree program in biologic sciences, veterinary sciences and animal husbandry also allows students to select in-depth instruction and clinical experience with a practical theme. The two concentration options available are Clinical Medicine and Laboratory Animal Medicine. Supplementing the didactic course work is a preceptorship in which the student receives hands-on training at an approved facility such as a veterinary practice or research facility. The student works directly with his/her faculty advisor to select appropriate elective courses within the curriculum to match their particular area of interest.

The Clinical Medicine concentration is designed to further enhance the student’s knowledge of nutrition, animal husbandry, nursing, zoonotic diseases and preventive medicine in the major domestic animal species as well as less traditional companion animals. Biomedical technologies, advanced diagnostic procedures and nursing skills are emphasized.

The Laboratory Animal Medicine Concentration is designed for Veterinary Technology students interested in a career within the discipline of laboratory animal science. In addition to advanced foundation courses in the biological sciences, students receive training in non-human primate and non-primate laboratory animals, research methodologies, nutrition, ethics, and laboratory management

A Veterinary Technician is a graduate of a two-year, AVMA-accredited program in Veterinary Technology who has knowledge of applied science and specialized training in animal health, care and management. Graduates of the program are qualified to perform a wide range of technical medical skills and may be employed in veterinary practices, research and academic institutions, biological laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, public health organizations and zoos. The demand for veterinary technicians continues to exceed the supply of graduates.

An integral part of the program is the Lenfest Animal Health Center. This on-campus veterinary clinic treats over 1,000 animals annually and allows students to gain valuable hands-on clinical experience as part of the curriculum. In addition to the veterinary clinic on campus, field trips to shelters and large animal facilities add to the clinical experience of the students. These out-reach programs give the students experiences with a wide range of animal species. Additionally, supplementing the didactic course work is an externship in which the student receives hands-on training in an approved research facility, private veterinary practice or veterinary teaching facility.

The curriculum is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.

Our pre-veterinary program will prepare you to meet the admission requirements of Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. To become a veterinarian, you must graduate from a four-year program at an accredited college of veterinary medicine with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree and obtain a license to practice. All veterinary schools require a significant number of credit hours, ranging from 45 to 90 semester hours, at the undergraduate level. However, most schools prefer completion of the bachelor’s degree. Because the requirements vary from school to school, you should contact each school about their specific requirements. Twenty-eight schools in 26 states meet accreditation standards set by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Veterinary Science Technology is a growing field that offers a variety of careers to individuals interested in working with animals either as technicians or as members of a scientific community. For many people, the study of veterinary technology serves as a starting point for entry into various animal and health-related careers.

A veterinary technician is described by the American Veterinary Medical Association as “a person knowledgeable in the care and handling of animals, in the basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes, and in routine laboratory and clinical procedures. He or she is primarily an assistant to veterinarians, biological research workers and other scientists.”

The demand for personnel trained in the area of animal care and management is strong. The large pet animal population requires technical support personnel to assist veterinarians in the clinical practices. The growth of biomedical research and the concern for the humane care of animals used in research require qualified assistants. The expansion of the biotechnology industry has increased the need for qualified technical support.

The Veterinary Science Technology program has been designed to graduate well-trained and competent technicians for the veterinary and biomedical research fields. Practical experience with live animals and field experience under typical working conditions form an integral part of the program. The practical experience is achieved by internships with affiliated veterinary animal clinics, biomedical research centers and the college’s animal facilities.

The Veterinary Science Technology program is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Upon completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the New York State Education Department licensure examination for certification as a veterinary technician.

An articulation agreement exists between Suffolk County Community College and Cornell University. Students have the opprotunity to be accepted into the Collge of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University after completing their A.A.S. degree at Suffolk County Community College.
Animal Use
Animal use in the Veterinary Science Technology program falls under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the New York State Department of Health. Although animal alternatives to animal use are employed, a minimum of hands-on animal training is required to meet the standards set forth by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Activities.
Typical Employment Opportunities

Job opportunities exist as laboratory animal technicians or veterinary technicians in the following areas:

Small animal hospitals and clinics
City, state and federal government agencies

Research laboratories
Universities

Pharmaceutical companies
Medical and dental schools

Pet Industry / Sales
Zoological gardens

Public health agencies
Laboratory animal products / sales

Admission Procedures and Requirements
All applicants must have successfully completed Mathematics B, high school biology and chemistry (both with laboratories), or their equivalents (at Suffolk County Community College, MAT007, BIO101 and CHE100). Those applying directly from high school must also have a high school math and science average of 75 or higher. Transfer students or SCCC students requesting a change of emphasis must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or higher in the prerequisite courses. Although work experience with animals is not required, it is highly recommended. It is recommended that students apply by January 1 in the year of anticipated entry.

Admission to the full-time day program occurs every fall; evening students are accepted in the fall of even-numbered years. However, many students take general education (non-VST) courses that would apply to the curriculum before being accepted into the program.

The Veterinary Science Technology curriculum is a restricted program and highly competitive. Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee acceptance to the program. The college reserves the right to make final decisions based upon the applicant pool each year.
Minimum Grade Requirements and Program Completion

Students admitted into the program must achieve a minimum passing grade of C in all VST courses. Only one repeat of a VST course is permitted. For optimal student performance, students will take courses in the sequences indicated below.

SUGGESTED DAY SEQUENCEFIRST SEMESTER: 18-19 credits Credits
ENG101: Standard Freshman Composition 3
Mathematics Elective 3-4
BIO141: Zoology 3
CHE120: Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry 4
* VST101: Introduction to Animal Technology 2
VST103: Comparative Anatomy of Domesticated Animals 3

SECOND SEMESTER: 18 credits
ENG102: Introduction to Literature 3
Social Science Elective 3
BIO142: Animal Parasitology 3
VST114: Veterinary Practice Management 2
* VST111: Farm Animal Nursing 3
VST112: Comparative Physiology of Domesticated Animals 4

THIRD SEMESTER: 16 credits
VST201: Laboratory Animal Technology 3
VST205: Pharmacy and Pharmacology 3
* VST203: Animal Clinic Internship I 3
VST202: Clinical Laboratory Techniques I 3
VST206: Veterinary Cardiology and Radiology 4

FOURTH SEMESTER: 19 credits
Social Science Elective 3
BIO244: General Microbiology 4
VST216: Surgical Nursing and Anesthesiology 4
VST212: Clinical Laboratory Techniques II 3
* VST213: Animal Clinic Internship II 3
Physical Education 2
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 71-72

SUGGESTED EVENING SEQUENCE (four years including Summers)
SUMMER SEMESTER I: 6-7 credits Credits
ENG101: Standard Freshman Composition 3
Mathematics Elective 3-4
FIRST SEMESTER: 5 credits
* VST101: Introduction to Animal Technology 2
BIO141: Zoology 3
SECOND SEMESTER: 6 credits

VST103: Comparative Anatomy of Domesticated Animals 3
* VST111: Farm Animal Nursing 3
SUMMER SEMESTER II: 7 credits
CHE120: Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry 4
ENG102: Introduction to Literature 3
THIRD SEMESTER: 7 credits

VST112: Comparative Physiology of Domesticated Animals 4
BIO142: Animal Parasitology 3
FOURTH SEMESTER: 9 credits

VST205: Pharmacy and Pharmacology 3
VST114: Veterinary Practice Management 2
BIO244: General Microbiology 4
SUMMER SEMESTER III: 6 credits
Social Science Elective 3

Social Science Elective 3
FIFTH SEMESTER: 7 credits
VST202: Clinical Laboratory Techniques I 3
VST206: Veterinary Cardiology and Radiology 4
SIXTH SEMESTER: 3 credits
VST212: Clinical Laboratory Techniques II 3
SUMMER SEMESTER IV: 3 credits
* VST203: Animal Clinic Internship I 3
SEVENTH SEMESTER : 7 credits
VST201: Laboratory Animal Technology 3
VST216: Surgical Nursing and Anesthesiology 4
EIGHTH SEMESTER : 3 credits
* VST213: Animal Clinical Internship II 3
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 69-70

* Students are required to provide their own transportation to off-campus field experiences.
These courses constitute the major courses in this curriculum in order to graduate.

REQUIRED CREDIT DISTRIBUTION
Veterinary Science Technology 40 credits
English 6 credits
Social Science 6 credits
Mathematics 3-4 credits
Science 14 credits
Physical Education
(full-time students only) 2 credits

Pierce College is located on 427 acres in the western San Fernando Valley of southern California. Founded in 1947 as an agricultural college, large sections of tillable and range land have been preserved as an enclave within a suburban environment. The College maintains herds of cattle, sheep, and swine, as well as orchards of citrus and other deciduous trees. Part of the college land, Canyon de Lana, located in the northern end of the Chalk Hills, has been set aside as a nature preserve. This area of campus also serves as a feeding ground for large flocks of Canada geese during the winter months.

Pierce remains unique to the greater Los Angeles area because of its farm and its instructional program in agriculture, natural resources management, Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Technology.

Pierce College offers two separate A.S. degrees in Veterinary Science: Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Technology. These majors have different end points and the student must carefully consider which degree best suits their career goal.

The Veterinary Technology major prepares students to take the California State Board Examination to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. (RVT) Students who successfully complete an A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology also have the option of transferring to Cal Poly Pomona to obtain a B.S. in Veterinary Technology. Additionally, Pierce college offers academic training for individuals who qualify for R.V.T. certification under the Alternate Route category.

The Veterinary Technology Program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. It has been at Pierce College since 1972 and has evolved to meet the changing needs of veterinary medicine. The Veterinary Technology Program is well-equipped for this specialized education with the equivalent of a small veterinary teaching clinic on the premises. The program is experience oriented, with lecture classes complementing hands-on laboratory work. The practical and theoretical knowledge gained enables students to pass the State Board Exam and is directly applicable to employment in veterinary settings.

Veterinary technicians work with a veterinarian to provide professional healthcare. This requires extensive knowledge and training in the care and handling of animals, their normal and abnormal life processes, medical and surgical nursing, anesthesiology, diagnostic imaging, and clinical laboratory procedures-precisely the kind of knowledge and training you’ll receive at LMU.

LMU’s veterinary technology program (LMUVTP) offers several degree options that allow you to complete the pre-veterinary medicine requirements at LMU and be prepared to apply to AVMA-accredited colleges of veterinary medicine.

Degrees Offered

Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology (AAS)
Associate of Science in Veterinary Animal Science (AS)
Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology (BS)

Concentrations

Animal Science
Veterinary Practice

Special Features

LMUVTP’s affiliation with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, the Harrogate Hospital for Animals, and Harrogate Genetics International enables you to gain cutting-edge knowledge and experience.

The AAS and BS degrees are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The BS degree offers concentration areas in veterinary animal science and veterinary practice management. These concentrations are excellent choices for transfer students.

All of LMU’s veterinary degrees emphasize hands-on experience with animals, preventative medicine, and service to the community.

The AAS and BS degrees qualify students to take the national veterinary technician licensing examination and to become a licensed veterinary technician (for those earning the AAS) or veterinary technologist (for those earning the BS).

LMU’s veterinary technology students are a diverse group, coming from places like the Virgin Islands and from states as far away as California, North Dakota, and New York.

Veterinary technicians are professionals knowledgeable in the care and handling of animals, basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes, routine laboratory and clinical procedures, and in veterinary medical and surgical nursing. Certified veterinary technicians are employed in veterinary clinics serving large, small, and exotic species. In addition, graduates are employed as veterinary assistants in pharmaceutical settings, research laboratories, animal feed companies, wildlife and zoo centers, and animal shelters. The job market for formally trained veterinary technicians has been growing, and this trend is expected to continue.

Lehigh Carbon Community College, working jointly with Northampton Community College, has developed a two-year associate of applied science degree program in this field.

Coursework will provide students with a foundation in the basic principles of animal medicine and disease, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic laboratory work, surgical assisting, anesthesia, diagnostic radiology, pharmacology, veterinary medical nursing, laboratory and exotic animal medicine, and veterinary practice management. Students will be given the opportunity to develop technical skills through multiple clinical experiences with live animals.

Graduates of this program are prepared to sit for the veterinary technician national board examination. Students that pass the exam may obtain certification. This program has received full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
completely perform and engage in office and hospital procedures, client relations, and communication.
work proficiently in the pharmacy and understand and utilize pharmacologic concepts.
safely and competently engage in medical nursing.
safely and competently engage in surgical nursing.
safely and competently engage in anesthetic nursing.
competently perform laboratory procedures.
safely and competently perform diagnostic imaging.
competently perform laboratory animal and exotic patient husbandry and nursing.

First Semester Credits
VET 101 Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 4
VET 110 Introduction to Veterinary Technology 2
ENG 105 College English I 3
CIS 105 Introduction to Computers and Applications 3.5
CHE 106 Physiological Chemistry 4

16.5

Second Semester Credits
VET 115 Animal Management and Nutrition 2
VET 120 Veterinary Parasitology 2
VET 125 Veterinary Clinical Laboratory Techniques 4
BIO 220 Microbiology 4
ENG 106 College English II
or ENG 107 Technical Writing
or ENG 108 Advanced Composition 3

15

Summer Session
Credits
VET 210 Large Animal Clinical Procedure 3

3

Third Semester
Credits
VET 215 Animal Disease 3
VET 218 Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia 3
VET 220 Small Animal Clinical Procedure 3
MAT 105* Intermediate Algebra 3
Elective Social Science/Humanities 3

15

Fourth Semester
Credits
VET 225 Veterinary Radiology and Surgical Nursing 4
VET 228 Lab Animal Science and Exotics 4
Elective Social Science/Humanities 3
Elective** General Education 3

14

Summer Session
Credits
VET 230 Veterinary Technician Externship 4

4

Credit Total 67.5

*Or MAT 130, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, or 190.

**Biology 105 is strongly recommended.

Please note that admission to this program is competitive and requires a special application. Interested students should notify Enrollment Services of their desire to be considered with the applicant pool (for Feb. 1 deadline). Not all students will be offered a seat in the program.

All students in the Veterinary Technician program must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 during the course of their program.

In addition, any student who does not successfully complete (with a grade of at least a“C”) two veterinary core courses (either two different courses or the same course twice) will be withdrawn from the program. Readmission to the program will require re-application and re-acceptance through the admissions office.

We have assembled what we think will soon be the premier Veterinary Technology program in Arizona. We are one of only two Community College Veterinary Technology programs in the State of Arizona, and are working toward accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association.