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Veterinary Technology A.S. Degree

The Veterinary Technology Program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career as a Registered Veterinary Technician.  The program offers a rigorous yet rewarding academic curriculum and ample hands-on experience.

Enrollment Eligibility-Students must have achieved the following:

  • High school graduate (or equivalent, i.e., GED).
  • Completion of BIOL 400, BIOL 440, and CHEM 400 or 305 with a grade of "C" or better.
  • It is strongly recommended that incoming students have experience volunteering or working in a veterinary setting.
Total Units:
72-76

First Year

Semester 1-Program Prerequisites

11-12 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
CHEM 305 1 Z
Introduction to Chemistry or
5
Elementary Algebra or higher
F, S, Su
CRC Area IV
CHEM 400 1 Z
General Chemistry I
5
Elementary Algebra and CHEM 300, 305 or 309 or 1 year of HS Chem with lab
F, S, Su
CRC Area IV
CRC Area II(b)-Math Competency Z
3-4
Recommend meeting with a counselor
F, S, Su
CRC Area II(b)
CRC Area I-Humanities Z
3
F, S, Su
CRC Area I
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

1 Program pre-req; suggestion-complete this during summer semester.


Semester 2

12 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
BIOL 400 1 Z
Principles of Biology
5
CHEM 305 or 400 & MATH 120 or 125; Advisory: ESLT 320 & ESLW 320 or ESL 325 or eligible for ENGRD 310 & ENGWR 300
F, S
CRC Area IV
BIOL 440 1 Z
General Microbiology
4
CHEM 305, 309 or 400
F, S
CRC Area IV
CRC Area II(a)-Written Communication Z
3
Recommend meeting with a counselor
F, S, Su
CRC Area II(a)
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

1 Program pre-req.


Semester 3

10 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
CRC Area III(a)-Physical Edu Activity Z
1
F, S, Su
CRC Area III(a)
CRC Area V(a)-American Institution Z
3
F, S, Su
CRC Area V(a)
CRC Area V(b)-Social & Behavioral Sciences Z
3
F, S, Su
CRC Area V(b)
CRC Area VI-Ethnic/Multicultural Studies Z
3
F, S, Su
CRC Area VI
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

Year 2 - Apply to the Vet Tech Program by April 1.

Semester 4 (Fall)-Students must be accepted into the Vet Tech Program to enroll in VT courses.

7 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
VT 100
Introduction to Veterinary Technology
3
F
VT 111
Anatomy-Physiology of Animals
4
BIOL 310 or 400, CHEM 305 and BIOL 440
F

Semester 5 (Spring)

9 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
VT 110 Z
Veterinary Office Practice
3
Advisory: CISC 302
S
VT 113
Clinical Laboratory Techniques for Veterinary Technicians
4
VT 100 & VT 111
S
VT 152 Z
Introduction to Laboratory Animals and Caged Birds
2
VT 100 & VT 111
S
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

1 Suggested-enroll during the summer semester; a total of 300 hours of work experience is required for the program; 1 unit unpaid work experience = 60 hours; 1 unit of paid work experience = 75 hours.


Semester 6 (Summer)

2-3 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
VT 298 1 Z
Work Experience in Veterinary Technology
2-3
F(O,P), S(O), Su(O)
CRC Area III(b)
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

Semester 7 (Fall)

9.5-11.5 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
VT 120
Pharmacology and Anesthesiology for the Veterinary Technician
4
VT 111, VT 113 & VIT 152
F
VT 122
Animal Disease: Pathology
3
VT 113, 152 & at least 1 unit in VT 298
F
VT 126
Dentistry for the Veterinary Technician
1.5
VT 110 & 113 and Co-req or prereq: VT 120
F
VT 298 1 Z
Work Experience in Veterinary Technology
1-3
F(O,P), S(O), Su(O)
CRC Area III(b)
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

1 Suggested-enroll during the summer semester; a total of 300 hours of work experience is required for the program; 1 unit unpaid work experience = 60 hours; 1 unit of paid work experience = 75 hours.


Semester 8 (Spring)

11.5 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
VT 123 Z
Large Animal Disease: Pathology
3
VT 113 & BIOl 440
S
VT 130
Advanced Veterinary Technology
4
VT 120
S
VT 131
Introduction to Diagnostic Imaging
3
VT 120 & VT 122
S
VT 134 Z
Large Animal Nursing
1.5
VT 113
S
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

^You must have passed the prerequisite course(s) with a “C” or better; Corequisite must be taken during the same semester; Advisory means it is recommended but not required to enroll in the course.

*(O) = online available  (P) = partially online

Career Options/Outlook:

Veterinary Technicians perform medical tests in a laboratory environment to treat and diagnose diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for the prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.

A sample of reported job titles:

Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Emergency Veterinary Technician, Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician, Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Medical Technologist, Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Laboratory Technician (Veterinary Lab Tech), Veterinary Nurse, Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech)

Projected job openings in California (2020-2030):

910

Projected growth in California (2020-2030):

22% growth

Median Salary in California with advanced degree (2021):

$45,540/yr

Transfer notes:

Please meet with a counselor for specific transfer course evaluation or transferring to a specific 4-year institution.

General Education (GE):

Please meet with a counselor for specific transfer course evaluation or transferring to a specific 4-year institution.

Honors option:

The CRC Honors Program is designed specifically for academically accomplished students and for students with the potential for high achievement. Students who complete 15 units or more in honors-designated courses will earn special recognition as an Honors Scholar, a distinction that may entitle the student to guaranteed transfer and scholarship opportunities at select transfer colleges and universities.

About this program map:

This program map represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan customized to meet your needs. This map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Notification of acceptance to the program

Applicants will be notified by the end of June. Admission is based on a random lottery process from among the qualified applicants.  Only students who meet the educational and pre-veterinary technology requirements, and follow the pre-enrollment procedures will be considered for the program.  Meeting all the requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Zero Textbook Costs (ZTC):

The Zero Textbook Costs designation and logo are added to any course that provides free access to all required instructional materials. These are typically shared with students through Canvas. Courses that are designated as ZTC may still require students to purchase supplemental materials such as lab coats, a calculator, art supplies, etc. See full definitions and searching tips on the Zero Textbook Costs page of the college website.

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Published June 13, 2024

Counselor Contact: Alejandra Tovar | Faculty Contact: Dave Andrews

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