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VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY - AAS

The A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology program is a 67-credit associate’s degree program focused on providing individuals with the education, training and clinical experience necessary to meet the requirements of the American Veterinary Medical Associations (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). This will enable graduates to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and satisfy New York State Education requirements for professional licensure as a Veterinary Technician.

Veterinary Technicians work in private animal clinics, laboratories, and specialty hospitals and provide professional assistance to veterinarians, biomedical researchers, and scientists in the care of animals. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, veterinary technicians, while working under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, obtain and document patient case histories; specimen collection and perform clinical laboratory procedures; provide specialized nursing care; prepare animals, instruments, and equipment for surgery; assist in diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures; perform dental prophylaxes; expose and develop diagnostic radiographs (X-rays); advise and educate animal owners; and supervise and train practice personnel.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

All students completing this program are expected to achieve the General Education outcomes described in the General Studies section of the catalog as well as the following learning objectives:

  • Perform clinical veterinary procedures with proficiency across multiple species.


    • Apply knowledge and demonstrate proficiency in essential veterinary clinical skills—including animal restraint, diagnostic imaging, specimen collection, laboratory techniques, anesthesia, surgical preparation and monitoring, dental procedures, nursing care, wound management, therapeutics, nutrition, and medication calculations—in small, large, and exotic animals.

  • Communicate effectively within the veterinary healthcare team and with clients.


    • Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills to collaborate with veterinary team members and engage clients in a professional, empathetic, and informative manner.

  • Analyze clinical situations to make informed, ethical and logical decisions.


    • Analyze clinical data and scenarios to formulate appropriate decisions using critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and evidence-based practice in veterinary care.

  • Evaluate and fulfill roles in veterinary practice operations and client services.


    • Evaluate and perform key roles within veterinary practice operations, including reception, client education, inventory, and basic practice management duties.

  • Exhibit professionalism and ethical conduct in all aspects of veterinary care.


    • Demonstrate professional behavior and adhere to ethical standards in animal care, client interaction, and team collaboration.

Veterinary Technology - AAS Curriculum

BIO 116 Essentials of Microbiology - 3 credits
BIO 170 Comparative Anatomy & Physiology I - 3 credits
BIO 170L Comparative Anatomy & Physiology I Laboratory - 1 credit
BIO 171 Comparative Anatomy & Physiology II - 3 credits
BIO 171L Comparative Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory - 1 credit
EN 101 English Composition - 3 credits
EN 205 Communication Arts - 3 credits
GS100 or GS102 College Seminar or College Success - 1 - 3 credits*
MA 110 College Algebra - 3 credits
VET 100 Introduction to Veterinary Technology - 3 credits
VET 116 Applied Mathematics for Veterinary Technology - 1 credit
VET 120 Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science - 2 credits
VET 120L Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science Laboratory - 1 credit
VET 126 Parasitology - 2 credits
VET 126L Parasitology Laboratory - 1 credit
VET 177 Clinical Experience I - 1 credit
VET 202 Small Animal Disease & Nutrition - 3 credits
VET 202L Small Animal Disease & Nutrition Laboratory - 1 credit
VET 204 Veterinary Clinical Laboratory Techniques - 3 credits
VET 204L Veterinary Clinical Laboratory Techniques Laboratory - 1 credit
VET 206 Exotics & Pathology - 3 credits
VET 206L Exotics & Pathology Laboratory - 1 credit
VET 208 Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging - 2 credits
VET 208L Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Laboratory - 1 credit
VET 222 Large Animal Disease & Nutrition - 3 credits
VET 222L Large Animal Disease & Nutrition Laboratory - 1 credit
VET 224 Surgical Nursing & Anesthesia - 3 credits
VET 224L Surgical Nursing & Anesthesia Laboratory - 1 credit
VET 226 Practice Management - 2 credits
VET 230 Pharmacy & Pharmacology for Veterinary Technology - 3 credits
VET 237 Dentistry for Veterinary Technicians - 2 credits
VET 237L Dentistry for Veterinary Technicians Laboratory - 1 credit
VET 271 VTNE Review - 2 credits
VET 277 Clinical Experience II - 1 credit
VET 278 Clinical Experience III - 1
Total Program Credits - 67 credits

*GS100 College Seminar or GS102 College Success must be taken at the main campus

Additional Degree Requirements

All courses require a minimum grade of “C” and a Quality Point Average of 2.0.

Program Accreditation

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA)
Education and Research Division
1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360
www.avma.org

Trocaire College’s application for accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA’s) Committee on Veterinary Education and Activities (CVTEA) has been accepted. An accepted application for accreditation does not guarantee accreditation and applying for accreditation does not grant any temporary status of accreditation.

BIO (Biology) Courses
EN (English) Courses
GS (General Education) Courses
MA (Mathematics) Courses
(VET) Veterinary Technology – Courses