![Two Vet Tech students examining a dog.](/media/dtcc-website/content-assets/images/vet-tech-banner.jpg)
Veterinary Technology
Associate Degree Program
The Veterinary Technology program is available to students who are interested in performing diagnostic and nursing procedures to aid the veterinary patient. The Veterinary Technology associate degree program will provide you with the skills essential for a wide range of career options in the field of veterinary nursing. In this program, you will focus on clinical assisting and diagnostic procedures as well as the development of humane animal care and nursing skills required of the veterinary technician. As a student, you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of different species of animals throughout the program. This challenging and rewarding career field gives graduates a solid education which allows them to obtain various positions as veterinary technicians.
Upon successful completion of this program, you will be eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).
Academically ready students can apply to the program following the guidelines of the Allied Health admissions process. Interested applicants should review the information provided here and contact their program advisor for application requirements.
Offered at the following campus(es): Georgetown, Stanton
What You Will Learn
Program Graduate Competencies
The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.
- Apply theoretical information that leads to appropriate action in the application of delivery of veterinary nursing procedures.
- Competently perform a full range of veterinary nursing procedures used in small and large animal medicine.
- Practice behaviors that are consistent with the Veterinary Technology Code of Ethics and employer expectations/requirements.
Core Curriculum Competencies
The Core Curriculum Competencies listed below identify what you will be able to do as a graduate, regardless of your program of study. You will acquire these core competencies through general education courses and program-specific coursework. You will be expected to use relevant technology to achieve these outcomes:
- Apply clear and effective communication skills.
- Use critical thinking to solve problems.
- Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
- Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
- Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
Semester 1
Number | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
SSC 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
BIO 140 | General Biology | 4 |
Or | ||
BIO 150 | Biology I | 4 |
MAT 162 | Statistical Reasoning | 4 |
CHM 110 | General Chemistry | 4 |
BIO 100 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
Semester 2
Number | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
VET 101 | Introduction to Veterinary Technology | 2 |
VET 102 | Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
BIO 125 | Introductory Microbiology | 4 |
Or | ||
BIO 250 | Principles of Microbiology | 4 |
Semester 3
Number | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
VET 110 | Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
VET 130 | Veterinary Clinical Pathology I | 3 |
VET 205 | Small Animal Health and Disease | 2 |
ENG 102 | Composition II | 3 |
Semester 4
Number | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
VET 140 | Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians | 3 |
Semester 5
Number | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
VET 221 | Veterinary Nursing I | 3 |
VET 220 | Laboratory & Exotic Animal Care & Management | 3 |
VET 223 | Food Animal and Equine Health & Disease | 2 |
VET 210 | Veterinary Clinical Pathology II | 3 |
Elective | Social Science Elective | 3 |
Semester 6
Number | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
VET 235 | Diagnostic Imaging | 3 |
VET 222 | Veterinary Nursing II | 3 |
VET 240 | Food Animal and Equine Nursing | 3 |
Elective | Social Science Elective | 3 |
Semester 7
Number | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
VET 250 | Vet Tech Internship | 5 |
VET 245 | Emergency and Critical Care Principles | 1 |
Approved Electives
Select two (2) social science electives.
Number | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
COM 111 | Human Communications | 3 |
ECO 111 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
ECO 122 | Microeconomics | 3 |
EDC 125 | Child Development | 3 |
GEO 205 | Geology and the Environment | 3 |
GIS 101 | Introduction to GIS | 3 |
HIS 111 | U. S. History: Pre-Civil War | 3 |
HIS 112 | United States History Post-Civil War | 3 |
HIS 200 | World History I | 3 |
HIS 210 | World History II | 3 |
POL 111 | Political Science | 3 |
PSY 100 | Human Relations | 3 |
PSY 121 | General Psychology | 3 |
PSY 126 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
PSY 127 | Human Development | 3 |
PSY 223 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
PSY 224 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
SOC 103 | Sustainability and Society | 3 |
SOC 111 | Sociology | 3 |
SOC 213 | Ethical Issues in Healthcare | 3 |
To complete program requirements, you must pass the above courses and earn at least 74 credits. The number of courses and credits required for graduation may be more depending on college readiness and the elective courses offered in your program major (if electives are a part of the program).
AHTAASVET
Lisa Garrison
Interim Department Chairperson
(302) 259-6701
lgarriso@firstnews-extra.com
The Veterinary Technology program is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
This program is offered at the Georgetown and Stanton campuses.
Lisa Garrison
Interim Department Chairperson
(302) 259-6701
lgarriso@firstnews-extra.com
The Veterinary Technology program is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
This program is offered at the Georgetown and Stanton campuses.