Veterinary Technology

Important Information

Semester Sequence

This is a suggested schedule for a student who has completed any developmental course work and has no transfer credits. Refer to the College catalog for specific requirements in selecting General Education Courses . Students must complete the English and Mathematics General Education requirements within the first 24 credits.

Courses Needed for This Program*

Total Number of Credits Required for Degree: 65*

Notes

*Credit students who are new to college (no successfully completed transferable college credits from other institutions) are required to take ACDV 101 - Academic Development: Transitioning to College . This 1-credit course is designed to be taken in the first semester at CCBC. Students must provide an official transcript(s) from an accredited institution to document successful completion of college coursework for the ACDV 101 requirement to be waived.

Program Description

Veterinary technicians are vital members of the veterinary healthcare team.  The five-semester Veterinary Technology Program provides students with the foundation and skill set necessary to pursue a career as a veterinary technician in private practice, emergency, specialty practice, veterinary teaching hospitals, zoo/wildlife, labs, research, shelters, etc. Emphasis is on companion animals, with exposure to lab animal, exotic and large animal species.  The program includes didactic and interactive learning as well as clinical experience.  An internship of clinical rotations is provided by the program during the second year.  Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).  State requirements must also be fulfilled prior to licensing.

The Veterinary Technology Program is accredited by The American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA/CVTEA)

Students must be available to take courses in the day and evening. Students must be available to attend Saturday labs, if required, and to travel to off-campus locations (transportation is not provided). Students are required to undergo pre-exposure rabies immunization series (a mobile physician provides the series at a reduced cost of ~ $990), furnish proof of health insurance, have had a tetanus booster within the last five years, and purchase uniforms.

School of Health Professions Policies

Students in the School of Health Professions (SHP) are expected to conduct themselves according to an honor code; exhibit professional behavior; communicate effectively in English; provide proof of health insurance, immunizations, and a tuberculosis (TB) test; and submit to a criminal background test and drug testing.  Students are expected to pay the costs associated with these requirements.

Admission

Applications for all School of Health Professions programs, except Dental Hygiene and Physician Assistant, are processed in a Central Application Service called CCBC CAS. The link to the CAS and the application instructions are located in the program admissions packet at the School of Health Professions website. You will need a CCBC student ID number and a CCBC student account password to complete the application. If you have questions about the CCBC CAS process, contact the School of Health Professions Admissions Office at (443) 840-1989 or read the FAQ selections at the bottom of each page inside the CAS application.

The Application deadline is April 15.

The Veterinary Technology Program is a Selective Admissions process and admittance to the program is highly competitive.  Minimum grades of “C” are required in all prerequisites; grades of “B” or better are highly recommended due to the competitive nature of the program.

The Veterinary Technology Program accepts a class in the Fall of every academic calendar year. To be guaranteed consideration for fall admission to the program, all application materials must be completed by April 15. VETT 106 , BIOL 109 , and any other prerequisites taken in the Spring will be accepted with the understanding that Selective Admissions will then use these course grades in their evaluation.

Submit two electronic references to the CCBC CAS. Two letters of recommendation are required. One must be from a credentialed veterinary technician (RVT, CVT, LVT), preferred, or licensed veterinarian (VMD, DVM) with whom the applicant is currently working. This can be paid employment or volunteer work. The second can be from another credentialed veterinary technician (RVT, CVT, LVT) or veterinarian (VMD, DVM) with whom the applicant is currently working OR current employer OR current instructor/professor.  Current veterinary experience, either volunteer or paid, and current evaluation of the work are required and included in the evaluation process.  CCBC’s Veterinary Assistant Program can also provide this work experience.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be able to:

1. use and apply the knowledge necessary to function within the scope of practice of a licensed veterinary technician;
2. demonstrate competency of the Essential Skills outlined by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities;
3. demonstrate effective communication skills with members of the veterinary health care team and clients;
4. demonstrate competency in performing medical nursing, surgical nursing, anesthesia nursing, laboratory procedures, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory animal and exotic patient husbandry and nursing; and
5. implement ethical and legal standards as they apply to veterinary medical practice.

Accreditation Statement

The Veterinary Technology Program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.  Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).  The VTNE validates competency for practice.

The VTNE and Maryland State Board Examination must be completed prior to submitting an application request to become a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).  The designation of RVT is awarded by the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.