Veterinary Technology, A.A.S. - VET3
The field of veterinary technology is one of the fastest-growing animal health professions. The Veterinary Technology program at Piedmont Technical College serves a need for qualified veterinary technicians in the mid-state area. The veterinary technician works under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian in a variety of employment settings. The veterinary technician plays a critical role in animal health and the veterinary medical team. The specialized training received will allow the graduate to seek employment in such areas as clinical medicine, laboratory animal medicine, emergency medicine, pharmaceutical sales, food inspection and government agencies.
Admission: Acceptance into Piedmont Technical College’s VET program is competitive and is limited to 24 students to begin fall semester. See the college calendar or website for application dates.
To become eligible for entry into the Veterinary Technology program, applicants must complete the following:
- Complete the following courses (minimum "C" grade required):
Course List Courses Course Title Credit Hours BIO 102 Biological Science II 4 or BIO 101 Biological Science I ENG 101 English Composition I 3 MAT 110 College Algebra 3 or MAT 120 Probability and Statistics PSY 201 General Psychology 3 - Minimum grade point average for the above courses of 3.0. A grade point average calculator can be found under the Application and Advising tab.
- Good academic standing at the college.
Major Studies Courses: Completion of the Associate in Applied Science with a major in Veterinary Technology requires five (5) semesters upon acceptance to the major studies coursework.
Requirements
| Courses | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Courses | ||
| BIO 102 | Biological Science II | 4 |
| or BIO 101 | Biological Science I | |
| BIO 115 | Basic Microbiology | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| MAT 110 | College Algebra | 3 |
| or MAT 120 | Probability and Statistics | |
| PSY 201 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Elective Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 19 | |
| Required Core Subject Areas | ||
| VET 101 | Animal Breeds and Husbandry | 3 |
| VET 103 | Veterinary Medical Terminology | 2 |
| VET 104 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| VET 105 | Orientation to Veterinary Technology | 1 |
| VET 109 | Veterinary Parasitology | 2 |
| VET 117 | Animal Nutrition | 2 |
| VET 140 | Veterinary Pharmacology | 2 |
| VET 150 | Clinical Techniques I | 3 |
| VET 152 | Clinical Pathology | 4 |
| VET 160 | Clinical Techniques II | 3 |
| VET 170 | Veterinary Technician Externship | 6 |
| VET 180 | Preceptorship | 2 |
| VET 181 | Preceptorship II | 3 |
| VET 201 | Diseases and Zoonosis | 4 |
| VET 207 | Large Animal Clinical Practice | 3 |
| VET 215 | Laboratory Animal Medicine | 2 |
| VET 240 | Office Management and Client Education | 3 |
| VET 250 | Clinical Techniques III | 3 |
| VET 260 | Clinical Techniques IV | 3 |
| VET 270 | Advanced Medical Care | 3 |
| VET 280 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
| Subtotal | 58 | |
| Total Hours | 77 | |
Graduation Plan
Enrollment in clinical coursework requires admission to the program. See Application and Advising section for more information.
Fall Start
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| BIO 102 or BIO 101 |
Biological Science II or Biological Science I |
4 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| PSY 201 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 115 | Basic Microbiology 1 | 3 |
| MAT 110 or MAT 120 |
College Algebra or Probability and Statistics |
3 |
| Elective Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| VET 101 | Animal Breeds and Husbandry | 3 |
| VET 103 | Veterinary Medical Terminology | 2 |
| VET 104 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| VET 105 | Orientation to Veterinary Technology | 1 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| VET 109 | Veterinary Parasitology | 2 |
| VET 117 | Animal Nutrition | 2 |
| VET 140 | Veterinary Pharmacology | 2 |
| VET 150 | Clinical Techniques I | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| VET 180 | Preceptorship | 2 |
| VET 207 | Large Animal Clinical Practice | 3 |
| VET 215 | Laboratory Animal Medicine | 2 |
| VET 240 | Office Management and Client Education | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| VET 152 | Clinical Pathology | 4 |
| VET 160 | Clinical Techniques II | 3 |
| VET 181 | Preceptorship II | 3 |
| VET 260 | Clinical Techniques IV | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| VET 170 | Veterinary Technician Externship | 6 |
| VET 201 | Diseases and Zoonosis | 4 |
| VET 250 | Clinical Techniques III | 3 |
| VET 270 | Advanced Medical Care | 3 |
| VET 280 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Total Hours | 77 | |
- 1
BIO 115 Basic Microbiology can also be taken spring term of second year.
Application Process
This is a limited enrollment program that has special admissions requirements. These requirements must be completed before you can be accepted.
If you are a new student, there are three key steps to complete before entering the program:
- Step 1: Apply to the college and complete the enrollment process
- Step 2: Take the necessary courses and testing (if required) to become Program-Ready
- Step 3: Apply to the program
Are you Program-Ready?
Before applying for program entry, be sure you meet the requirements for acceptance. Start by connecting with an advisor and review program requirements.
We've also provided the resources below to assist you with the program acceptance process.
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheets are designed for students and advisors to review program-specific requirements and program application procedures. Please make an appointment with your advisor to discuss your academic goals and progress, and to develop your individualized degree plan.
GPA Calculator
There are minimum GPA requirements for program-ready coursework. The Program-Ready GPA Calculator can be used to calculate your GPA.
Application Worksheet
The application worksheet is used to calculate points toward competitive program entry.
Observation Hours Form
A total of 10 observation hours in at least 2 different settings are required prior to program application. The Observation Hours Form must be emailed to the Vet Tech program director for verification to receive credit. Additional information and instructions are provided on the form.
Health Care Program Acceptance Data
These are NOT the scores required to be accepted. These are scores from past applicants that were accepted. Since the applicant pool changes each time, there is no way to predict how high the application points need to be for acceptance into the program.
Guided Pathways
Guided Pathways are designed to assist students in scheduling the order of courses to become program-ready or to complete the Health Care Certificate for their desired program.
Health Care FAQ
We strongly recommend that students review the Health Care Division FAQ to be fully aware of our program entry requirements.
Apply to the Program
Once you’ve taken the necessary steps to become program ready, it’s time to apply to the program.
Applications are accepted for the fall entry into college healthcare programs on the following schedule:
- Application Dates - May 1-16
- Notification of Program Acceptance Emails Sent - Mid June*
Program applications must be submitted during the scheduled dates for this program to be considered.
Note: If you haven't already done so, you must apply to the college before completing the program application.
Complete The Program Application
* Students accepted into any Healthcare program will be required to attend a program orientation. Accepted students will NOT be excused from attending this mandatory orientation.
Current Student Program Resources
Veterinary Technology Handbook
Health Care Division Handbook
This handbook is designed to be utilized in conjunction with the PTC Academic Catalog, PTC Student Calendar and Handbook and PTC Health Care webpages. Please refer to them for additional information.
Health Care FAQ
We strongly recommend that students review the Health Care Division FAQ to be fully aware of our program entry requirements.
Health Care Readmission
Health Care readmission students who fail or withdraw from a Health Care curriculum class must complete and submit a readmission application in order to be considered for readmission.
Accreditation Information
In order to become a credentialed veterinary technician, you must graduate from an AVMA-accredited program in order to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE.) The Veterinary Technology program is accredited by:
American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities
1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumberg, IL 60173-4360
(847) 925-8070; fax (827) 925-1329
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Purpose Statement
Piedmont Technical College’s Veterinary Technology Program’s goal is to prepare students with critical thinking and technical skills to make them successful in a veterinary technology career. We encourage a commitment to life-long learning, compassion for animals and excellent patient care. We strive to provide a quality education so that graduates may excel as members of the veterinary team and successfully pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination. We encourage students to develop professional responsibility and continued ties to professional, state and local organizations.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Provide quality patient care.
- Perform routine diagnostic procedures.
- Demonstrate knowledge of husbandry, diseases, surgical procedures, anesthetic procedures and radiographic procedures.
- Apply medical ethic and law specific to the practice of veterinary technology.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills needed to successfully pass the VTNE and State Board exam.
- Apply rules of radiation safety, hospital safety, and animal safety.
- Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology of common species seen in veterinary medicine.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills utilizing traditional and electronic media and appropriate veterinary medical terminology.
- Operate and maintain equipment found in most veterinary practices.