Veterinary Degrees Online

The Department of Animal Science offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology. It is a complete program that carries full university credit and may be used toward a four-year degree program by students who choose to complete the Bachelor of Science degree.
This program prepares students to work for practicing veterinarians or for employment in related fields.
The following is a suggested sequence of courses for students seeking the Associate of Applied Science degree with a major in Veterinary Technology. This is a College Tech Prep articulated program.

First Fall Term
ANSC 1401, General Animal Science – 4 hrs
ANSC 1403, Clinical Assistance – 4 hrs

ANSC 1202, Laboratory Animal Management – 2 hrs
ENG 1301, Composition and Rhetoric – 3 hrs
CHEM 1401, General Chemistry – 4 hrs

CREDIT HOURS – 17

Spring
ANSC 1303, Surgical Assistance – 3 hrs
ANSC 1302, Radiology – 3 hrs
ANSC 1304, Pharmacology – 3 hrs
BIOL 3403, Veterinary Parasitology – 4 hrs
COMM 1303, Speech Communications – 3 hrs

CREDIT HOURS – 16

Second Fall Term
ANSC 2501, Animal Anatomy/Physiology – 5 hrs
ANSC 3404, Clinical Pathology – 4 hrs
ANSC 2405, Equine Veterinary Footcare – 4 hrs
MATH 1310 or MATH 1315, University Math or University Algebra – 3 hrs

CREDIT HOURS – 16

Spring
ANSC 2300, Veterinary Ethics & Clinical Procedures – 3 hrs
ANSC 2306, Small Animal Management – 3 hrs
ANSC 3403, Animal Nutrition, Feeds and Feeding – 4 hrs
ANSC 3408, Advanced Clinical Assistance – 4 hrs
BIOL 2406, Introduction to Microbiology – 4 hrs

CREDIT HOURS – 18

Summer Semester

ANSC 3601, Practicum in Veterinary Assistance – 6 hrs

Total Credit Hours

73 hours

The Veterinary Science Technology program focuses on clinical assisting procedures, performance of laboratory testing techniques, and an understanding and appreciation of the concepts and practices employed in veterinary practice and biomedical research settings. The humane care and treatment of animal patients are stressed, as are the importance of compassion, veterinary medical ethics, effective interpersonal relations, and the psychology of dealing with patients and clients.

Lecture and laboratory instruction is presented by veterinarians and veterinary technicians who bring a broad range of experiences and expertise to the program. The laboratories are staffed to allow you to receive individual attention and maximum exposure to different veterinary practice philosophies. Traditional classroom sequences are supplemented with additional learning experiences which include assignments in the College’s animal facilities, guest lectures, computer-assisted learning projects, laboratory instruction, and field trips.

An active student chapter of the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians (NYSAVT)/North American Veterinary Technicians Association (NAVTA) provides students with additional educational and social opportunities both on and off the Delhi campus.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Animal Technology: Horse Management will:
Successfully start a young horse and understand basic training concepts necessary to continue training through an advanced level.
Manage a breeding herd and apply scientific concepts to a breeding program.
Apply business, health and management concepts necessary to maintain a successful equine facility.
Research a management or health problem.
Communicate effectively using appropriate equine industry vocabulary in order to be successful in the job market.

Program Requirements
Students entering the Animal Technology: Horse Management program should have a firm background in life and physical sciences and should be prepared to take courses in mathematics and biology. A mandatory riding evaluation is given at the start of the program to enable proper placement in courses.

The program is designed to be completed in two years. This assumes, however, that the entering student has placed at or above the following levels on the Computerized Placement Test: WR 115 Introduction to College Writing and MTH 060 Introduction to Algebra. It is advisable to take the test as early as possible. Students entering the program with math and writing skills below the minimum requirement may require longer than two years to complete the degree. Program completion requires a minimum of 4 credits of math and 8 credits of biology, plus general education courses such as English composition, speech and social sciences.

Facilities
Classes are conducted in modern well-equipped classrooms and laboratories. Emphasis is placed on hands-on experience, and many classes utilize the local producers for laboratory exercises. In addition, there are computers, microscopes, and other modern lab equipment available for student use.

The training classes are conducted in a modern barn with indoor arena, 28 box stalls and washing and grooming facilities. Students bringing horses to school may board them at the LBCC barn.

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.