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.

  1. Apply theoretical information that leads to appropriate action in the application of delivery of veterinary nursing procedures.
  2. Competently perform a full range of veterinary nursing procedures used in small and large animal medicine.
  3. 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:

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

Semester 1

Number Course Title Credits
SSC 100First Year Seminar1
 
BIO 140General Biology4
Or
BIO 150Biology I4
 
MAT 162Statistical Reasoning4
CHM 110General Chemistry4
BIO 100Medical Terminology3

Semester 2

Number Course Title Credits
VET 101Introduction to Veterinary Technology2
VET 102Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology I3
ENG 101Composition I3
 
BIO 125Introductory Microbiology4
Or
BIO 250Principles of Microbiology4

Semester 3

Number Course Title Credits
VET 110Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology II3
VET 130Veterinary Clinical Pathology I3
VET 205Small Animal Health and Disease2
ENG 102Composition II3

Semester 4

Number Course Title Credits
VET 140Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians3

Semester 5

Number Course Title Credits
VET 221Veterinary Nursing I3
VET 220Laboratory & Exotic Animal Care & Management3
VET 223Food Animal and Equine Health & Disease2
VET 210Veterinary Clinical Pathology II3
ElectiveSocial Science Elective3

Semester 6

Number Course Title Credits
VET 235Diagnostic Imaging3
VET 222Veterinary Nursing II3
VET 240Food Animal and Equine Nursing3
ElectiveSocial Science Elective3

Semester 7

Number Course Title Credits
VET 250Vet Tech Internship5
VET 245Emergency and Critical Care Principles1

Approved Electives

Select two (2) social science electives.

Number Course Title Credits
COM 111Human Communications3
ECO 111Macroeconomics3
ECO 122Microeconomics3
EDC 125Child Development3
GEO 205Geology and the Environment3
GIS 101Introduction to GIS3
HIS 111U. S. History: Pre-Civil War3
HIS 112United States History Post-Civil War3
HIS 200World History I3
HIS 210World History II3
POL 111Political Science3
PSY 100Human Relations3
PSY 121General Psychology3
PSY 126Child and Adolescent Development3
PSY 127Human Development3
PSY 223Abnormal Psychology3
PSY 224Human Sexuality3
SOC 103Sustainability and Society3
SOC 111Sociology3
SOC 213Ethical Issues in Healthcare3

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

Contact Georgetown

Valerie Quillen
Department Chair, Instructor,
and Program Advisor
(302) 259-6700
vquillen@dtcc.edu

The Veterinary Technology program is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

This program is offered at the Georgetown and Stanton campuses.

Contact Stanton

Dawn Bonavita
Department Chair
(302) 454-3903
dawn.bonavita@dtcc.edu

The Veterinary Technology program is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

This program is offered at the Georgetown and Stanton campuses.