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Veterinary Technology Associate of Applied Science (VT23)

The Veterinary Technology program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for careers in the field of veterinary technology. General education, basic science and program-specific learning opportunities develop the knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The curriculum is delivered in accordance with the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities accreditation guidelines. Program graduates receive the Associate of Applied Science degree, are eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination, and are qualified to apply for credentials as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in the state of Georgia.

Rabies Vaccination Policy

Rabies is a serious viral disease that is nearly 100% fatal.  Approximately 60,000 people worldwide die each year from this disease.  The disease is transmitted from a bite or scratch from an infected animal.  Fortunately, rabies is a disease that can be prevented through careful handling of animals and vaccination.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends preexposure rabies vaccinations in high-risk groups, such as veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and animal handlers.

Based on the recommendation of the CDC, and with the guidance of the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA-CVTEA), Ogeechee Technical College is now requiring that all Veterinary Technology students be vaccinated against the rabies virus.

The rabies vaccine protocol consists of two injections, one injection per day, on day 0 and on day 7.  The vaccine can be obtained by a primary care physician, a participating count health department, and/or other vaccination clinic.  The program faculty has a list of local rabies vaccine providers.

Proof of vaccination must be shown by the beginning of VETT 1000 and VETT 1010, as animal handling will occur in the first semester of the program.  Previously vaccinated students must provide proof of current (within the past 3 years) rabies antibody titer.

More information about the risk of rabies and preexposure rabies prophylaxis can be found by visiting the following website: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/pre-exposure_vaccinations.html

If you have questions about cost or insurance coverage, please direct those questions to your healthcare provider or your insurance provider.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology will have attained entry-level skills needed to support companion animal, equine, and food animal practice, biomedical research, and other veterinary medical activities. In addition, program graduates will be prepared for positions as Veterinary Technicians. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America website (http://careers.navta.net/) has further information about career opportunities.

Accreditation

The Veterinary Technology program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), as a program for educating veterinary technicians, 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173, Phone 800.248.2862. Web: http://www.avma.org/education.

Licensure/Certification

A graduate of the program, accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), must apply with the State of Georgia Secretary of State and have a passing score on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) to become registered in the State of Georgia. Out-of-state students should check with their respective state licensure board to determine requirements.

Admissions Criteria

The Natural Sciences/Mathematic courses must be successfully completed before beginning the VETT courses. 

  • Submit a completed application and application fee;
  • Be at least 17 years of age and reach 18 before taking program courses utilizing radiology or anesthesia;
  • Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
  • Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
  • Completed 40 hours of volunteer service at a veterinary hospital (with documentation);
  • Meet the following assessment requirements:
Test Reading Writing Numerical Algebra
Accuplacer 64 70 NA 57
Accuplacer (Next Gen) 236 249 NA 245
Compass 79 62 NA 37
SAT 17 17 NA 21
SAT 290 290 NA 380
ACT 16 14 NA 17
ASSET 42 41 39 42
PSAT 17 17 NA 21
GED NA 145 NA 145

Veterinary Technology Curriculum

The curriculum for the Veterinary Technology degree program is designed for the semester system. A student may enter the program at any time to take general core courses but the program occupational courses are taken in sequence and begin each Summer Semester. The Natural Sciences/Mathematic courses must be successfully completed before beginning the VETT courses. To graduate, degree-seeking students must earn a minimum of 80 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 1991 contact hours and generally takes 8 semesters to complete.

Program Courses

General Education Core (20 Credits)

Area I – Language Arts/Communication (3 Credits)

ENGL 1101Composition and Rhetoric

3

ENGL 1101: “C” or higher grade is required for this course.

Area II – Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 Credits)

Select one
PSYC 1101Introductory Psychology

3
SOCI 1101Introduction to Sociology

3

Area III – Natural Sciences/Mathematics (11 Credits)

BIOL 1111Biology I

3
BIOL 1111LBiology Lab I

1
CHEM 1211Chemistry I

3
CHEM 1211LChemistry Lab I

1
MATH 1111College Algebra

3

NOTE: “C” or higher grade is required for all the above courses.

Area IV Humanities/Fine Arts (3 Credits)

Select one
ARTS 1101Art Appreciation

3
ENGL 2130American Literature

3
MUSC 1101Music Appreciation

3

Occupational Courses (60 Credits)

COLL 1010College & Career Success Skills

3
VETT 1000Veterinary Medical Terminology

2
VETT 1010Introduction to Veterinary Technology

1
VETT 1020Veterinary Clinic Pathology I

3
VETT 1030Veterinary Clinical Procedures I

4
VETT 1060Animal Anatomy and Physiology

4
VETT 1070Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

3
VETT 1110Veterinary Pathology & Diseases

4
VETT 2120Veterinary Clinical Pathology II

4
VETT 2130Veterinary Clinical Procedures II

5
VETT 2160Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians

3
VETT 2210Laboratory and Exotic Animals

4
VETT 2220Veterinary Practice Management

3
VETT 2230Veterinary Anesthesiology & Surgical Procedures

5
VETT 2300Veterinary Clinical Internship

12

VETT 1000, VETT 1010, VETT 1020, VETT 1030, VETT 1060, VETT 1070, VETT 1110, VETT 2120, VETT 2130, VETT 2160, VETT 2210, VETT 2220, VETT 2230 and VETT 2300: “C” or higher grade is required for all these courses.

Program Costs

Tuition ($100 per credit hour): $8,000

Fees ($385 per semester): $3,080

Books/Supplies: $1,500

Uniform Costs: Approximately $250

Liability Insurance: Liability Insurance (click to find your program)

Veterinary Technician National Exam ($345) & Georgia Application Fee ($60): $405*

Physical Exam: $150*

Hepatitis B Series: $265*

Tetanus Vaccination: $40*

Rabies Vaccination Series: $800*

Radiological Dosimeter Badges: $70

Drug Screening: $32.50*

Criminal Background Check: $40

Course Supply Fees: Veterinary Technology (click to find individual course fees) 

*Physical Exam (documenting adequate health including the ability to lift 50 pounds, to do prolonged standing, and to tolerate heat.), Tetanus, and Hepatitis B Series are required before entering Veterinary Technology program classes.  (Costs are estimates and are subject to change.)

Clinical Education

Number of Clinical Sites: 12

General Location of the Clinical Sites: Bulloch, Candler, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Screven, Tattnall and Wayne Counties

Special Requirements of Clinical Sites

  • Students must submit a medical exam stating the student is in good health.
  • Criminal background check
  • Urine Drug Screen, 7 panel or higher

Clinical Education Courses

The Veterinary Technology Internship provides students with an opportunity for in-depth application and reinforcement of veterinary technology procedures in an actual job setting under direct supervision of a veterinarian. Students are acquainted with occupational responsibilities through realistic work situations on the job. Job sites can include veterinary teaching hospitals at major universities, veterinary hospitals, research laboratories, and other facilities supervised by a veterinarian. The internship allows the student to become involved in a professional work situation applying technical skills. The Internship requires that the student spend a minimum of 540 hours in a supervised clinical setting which may include on-campus late hours. Students may not receive pay from the clinical site for internship hours. Students are evaluated by the supervising veterinarian and/or the Registered Veterinary Technician and the program coordinator.

Clinical Assignments

Clinical times may range 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7:00 a.m.-12:00 pm on Saturdays. Clinical sites are selected by the program coordinator. Students are responsible for having reliable transportation to the site.