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Veterinary Technology Certificate

This certificate is designed for students with three years of verifiable full-time experience working as an unregistered veterinary assistant.  Upon completion of this certificate program, and three years of documented clinical experience, the students will be fully eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and the California Veterinary Technician Exam (CVTE) to pursue licensure as a Registered Veterinary Technician.

Enrollment Eligibility-Students must have achieved the following:

  • High school graduate (or equivalent, i.e., GED).
  • Completion of BIOL 310 or 400 and 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:
50

First Year

Semester 1-Program Prerequisites

5 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered*
CHEM 305 1 Z
Introduction to Chemistry or
5
Elementary Algebra or higher
F, S, Su
CHEM 400 1 Z
General Chemistry I
5
Elementary Algebra and CHEM 300, 305, 309 or 1 year of HS Chem with lab
F, S, Su
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

9 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered*
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
BIOL 440 1 Z
General Microbiology
4
CHEM 305, 309 or 400
F, 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.

All coursework must be completed at the time of application with a grade of "C" or better.

1 Program pre-req

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

Semester 3-Students must be accepted into the Vet Tech Program to enroll in VT courses.

7 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered*
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 4

9 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered*
VT 110
Veterinary Office Practice
3
Advisory: CISC 302
S
VT 113
Clinical Laboratory Techniques for Veterinary Technicians
4
VT 100 & VT 111
S
VT 152
Introduction to Laboratory Animals and Caged Birds
2
VT 100 & VT 111
S

Semester 5

8.5 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered*
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 pre-req: VT 120
F

Semester 6

11.5 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered*
VT 123
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
Large Animal Nursing
1.5
VT 113
S

^You must have passed the prerequisite course(s) with a ā€œCā€ 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 (2020-20230):

910

Projected growth in California (2020-2030):

22% growth

Median Salary in California (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 May 18, 2023

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