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 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

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 Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Science specialization prepares individuals for advanced degree study in veterinary school and for post-graduate research.

The Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Science specialization emphasizes the application of physical and chemical sciences to the raising and production of beef cattle, horses, dairy cattle, swine, and companion animals.

Additionally, students will obtain both classroom instruction and real world hands-on experience with animals at the SIUC Agriculture Research and Education Laboratories.

Senior level courses in beef cattle management, swine management, dairy cattle management, and equine science assimilate knowledge and skills learned in previous courses to assist students in applying the basic sciences to real-life situations.

What facilities are at SIU?
The Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Science specialization is supported by extensive facilities for several species of livestock. Every student has the opportunity to get involved in work, research labs, or class at the 2,000 acre farm system that is the core of our animal science teaching program. The SIUC farms have special centers for:

* 75 brood cows, with cow-calf and feedlot operations
* 75 head operating dairy
* 45 head of horses for teaching, research and breeding
* 100 crossbred sow farrow-to-finish operations
* Beef Evaluation Center
* High-technology feed mill wiht micro-nutrient mixing and ration formulation.

For additional information about the animal facilities, feel free to visit the web site section on University Farms.

What are my career opportunities?
The Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Science specialization meets the needs of students planning to attend veterinary school or pursue graduate work in animal science. Students who complete this option qualify for the Bachelor of Science degree, meet the course requirements for admission to a veterinary medicine program, and acquire an excellent foundation for graduate work in animal science.

Graduates with a specialization in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Science are prepared to: further scientific interests with a career in research, veterinary medicine, education, or biomedical industry; pursue careers in the multifaceted agribusiness industry; or work directly with beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, or horse production and management.

The Veterinary Science Department provides advising services for students in the pre-veterinary medicine curriculum and offers courses in the biomedical sciences for undergraduate and graduate majors in related sciences. The department also offers several graduate research assistantship positions in microbiology, virology, and molecular biology for students majoring in other departments. Graduate training is supported by active research programs in diseases of food-producing animals.

South Dakota does not have a professional College of Veterinary Medicine. A pre-veterinary medicine curriculum is offered which allows students to obtain prerequisites for application to Colleges of Veterinary Medicine in other states. Students may meet requirements in two or three years of pre-veterinary study. Many students complete a major for the Bachelor of Science Degree before entering the professional curriculum of Veterinary Medicine. Many degree options are available to students in the pre-veterinary medicine curriculum, but popular choices include Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology, Dairy Science, or others. Students typically select a BS option late in their freshman year or during their sophomore year.

Entrance into the professional curriculum in a College of Veterinary Medicine rests with the individual applicant, and is based upon many factors including their academic record and experience. The applicant should be aware of the difficulties involved in being accepted to a College of Veterinary Medicine. Keen competition should be anticipated.

Integrated within the Department of Veterinary Science is the South Dakota Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (ADRDL). The ADRDL is one of 36 full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the U.S. that is accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The ADRDL is a reference lab that investigates naturally occurring animal health problems. The lab receives over 20,000 submissions and conducts over 400,000 test procedures annually. The lab is the official test center for the SD Animal Industry Board and promotes animal agriculture commerce by performing required export testing. The lab is also integral to national disease eradication programs and serves public health by tracking zoonotic diseases.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Aquaculture is an interdisciplinary program coordinated by the School of Marine Sciences. The Aquaculture curriculum is designed to provide the student with a broad background in the biological sciences, as well as to provide a thorough understanding of the subjects required to produce and market aquatic organisms and the products derived from them.
The program offers two main areas of concentration: aquaculture technology and aquaculture science. Each program offers a well-rounded education in mathematics, physical and biological sciences, resource economics and business, as well as humanities and social sciences.
The aquaculture technology concentration provides an unique background for solving practical problems associated with aquaculture and allied industries. The aquaculture science concentration allows for a more in-depth study of the biology of aquatic organisms and ecosystems with an emphasis on aquaculture applications. Students can also obtain the minimum course requirements for American Fisheries Service Professional Certification through the science concentration.

For students who like to work with animals—either companion animals or livestock—the Veterinary Science Program is a perfect place to start your studies. The Veterinary Science Program is a pre-professional program that satisfies the entrance requirements for professional veterinary schools that offer a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.

Students who satisfy the pre-veterinary coursework, the university’s core requirements and are accepted into a professional veterinary school, may qualify for a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nevada, Reno after completion of 32 credits at the professional school.

Kentucky students have the opportunity to enter veterinary medical school at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, or Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama. The Commonwealth of Kentucky has made this possible through its participation in the Southern Regional Education Program. The State of Kentucky pays $20,400 annually for each student enrolled at Auburn or Tuskegee. Each year the School of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn reserves 34 positions for students from Kentucky who meet admission requirements. If admitted, Kentucky students do not pay out-of-state tuition but pay the same fees as Alabama residents. Two positions are also available each year at Tuskegee Institute on the same basis. The positions at both Auburn and Tuskegee are awarded by the selection committees of the two respective universities.
The minimum education requirement for admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, is the satisfactory completion of an approved curriculum at an accredited college or university. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 is required overall and for the required courses.
Students may apply to one or both institutions as they near completion of the pre-veterinary requirements. The GRE is required for admission to Auburn University, and the VAT is required at Tuskegee Institute. Students may also apply for admission to any other School of Veterinary Medicine – WKU students have completed D.V.M. degrees at 10 different universities.
The following courses have been approved by Auburn University. This curriculum is planned for completion in three years. It is possible to complete requirements in less time by attending summer school sessions, but due to the difficulty of the curriculum, it is not normally advisable. By choosing the correct electives in the pre-veterinary program and transferring credits for the first year of veterinary school to Western, students may receive the Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from Western Kentucky University. This is a suggested curriculum; the sequence of courses may be varied to suit individual situations. Every effort is made to advise each student based upon the individual’s background and academic capability. Approved curricula for other Schools of Veterinary Medicine are also available.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Medical Technology (VMT) provides the student with skills in surgical nursing, anesthesia, clinical laboratory, animal handling, and radiology. All clinical tasks required by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) are performed by the student in laboratory and clinical situations. Graduates are eligible for the National Veterinary Technician Examination and individual state licensure.

Two concentrations for the B.S. are offered: Veterinary Biology and Veterinary Business Management
Veterinary Biology concentration prepares the student for opportunities in clinical practice, education, research, or industry. Although the concentration provides good preparation for entry to veterinary school, additional course work is necessary to fulfill the prerequisites required for entrance. An academic advisor will assist students with course planning.
Veterinary Business Management concentration is intended for the student who plans to work in private veterinary practice. The graduate will be able to function as a supervisor or hospital manager as well as a veterinary technician. Since many of the requirements are met through this concentration, students may also wish to pursue a minor and certificate in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management.

The VMT program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Students must obtain at least a grade of C (2.0) in each VMT course prior to taking the next sequenced VMT course. Animal care will be required of all VMT students in courses utilizing animals. A VMT Handbook (available through the Wilson College Bookstore) is required by all students enrolled in the major.

Career Preparation
The study of Animal Science is increasingly broad and diverse.
Employment opportunities for Missouri State Animal Science graduates
range from food processing management, pharmaceutical sales, feed
and equipment sales, animal breeding and management to production
farming, horse training and zoo animal management.
The employment picture appears bright for properly prepared
graduates of the animal science curriculum. Numerous national
and regional firms employ our graduates. Those who maintain a
superior college grade point average, are active in at least one student
organization and are willing to be relocated after graduation
have the best prospects for employment.
Academic Program
The Animal Science program normally takes four years to complete
and results in a Bachelor of Science degree. Animal Science is a
comprehensive major, meaning no minor is required.
Students who have completed most of the basic requirements and
have made some decisions on career goals may, in consultation with
their advisors, want to emphasize the basic sciences to prepare for
graduate school. Other students may want to emphasize business
classes to prepare for careers in the many agricultural businesses that
serve animal agriculture. A minimum of 125 credit hours are required
for graduation; this requires that students carry about 16 hours per
semester in order to complete studies in four academic years. Students
are encouraged to complete two units of mathematics, plus chemistry
and biology in high school in preparation for majoring in Animal
Science. High school preparation should also include a background in
speaking, writing and reading.
Courses
Please consult the Missouri State Catalog online at www.missouristate.
edu/catalog for specific course information.
Introduction to Animal Science
Introduction to Horses
Equitation
Dairy and Meat Animal Evaluation
Artificial Insemination and Reproduction
Veterinary Science
Feeds and Feeding
Animal Breeding
Meat Science
Game Bird Production
Advanced Dairy and Meat Animal Evaluation
Swine Production
Dairy Production
Poultry Science
Beef Cattle Production
Light Horse Production
Beef Cattle Marketing
Problems in Animal Science
Physiology of Domestic Animals
Animal Nutrition and Metabolism
Applied Animal Breeding
Senior Seminar