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Requirements & Pre-Admissions Checklists: Veterinary Technology Program

Minimum Requirements

Academic

Students must meet the following minimum requirements before applying to the program. You must be a high school graduate/GED, with completion of the following high school units (or equivalent) a “C” average or better as a minimum:

  • 1 unit of algebra
  • 1 unit of biology
  • 1 unit of chemistry 
  • proficiency in high school English

If you are missing any of these courses at the high school level, then a college course can be used to meet any of these minimum requirements. For example, some students applying to the program may not have taken chemistry in high school; in this case, the student must then show a college-level chemistry course before applying to the program in order to meet the minimum requirement. Students are welcome to submit an application to NOVA and register to complete any missing courses needed to meet the minimally required courses.

General Education Requirements

The required curriculum for Veterinary Technology students includes some Liberal Arts courses. These courses can either be taken prior to entering the program or after already being accepted to the program. However, admission preference is given to applicants who have already completed the fundamental, general education courses or already have a degree. Preference is especially given to applicants with a degree in a related field, such as animal science or the sciences in general. NOTE: An applicant’s academic record, including G.P.A. and history of withdrawals (W) and failures (F), are also taken into consideration.

The Veterinary Technology program coursework is rigorous. We welcome all applications, however, please note that we are committed to accepting students who show the strongest academic foundation. We expect our students to enter the program with excellent skill sets in writing, math, critical thinking, communication, team work, study skills and more. 

Check out the complete checklist of requirements that fulfill the A.A.S. degree program.

Students who have been most successful in our program are those who have already completed the following fundamental coursework:

ENG 111

College Composition
*This course requires a satisfactory placement test score suitable for English 111.  Placement tests can be taken at any test center on any campus. The Loudoun Test Center is located in LR 251.
Information can also be found at: http://www.nvcc.edu/campuses-and-centers/loudoun/campus-resources/testing/index.html.

3

CST 110

Introduction to Communication
*CST 126 may be substituted

3

CHM Elective

Chemistry Elective (Chm 101, 121 or 111 all count)
*NOTE: There are prerequisite courses required before taking any of these Chemistry courses. Check the catalog for the courses needed before being allowed to register for a chemistry course: http://www.nvcc.edu/catalog/cat2009/descript/subject.asp?subject=CHM.

4

Humanities Elective

Refer to the current printed NOVA Course Catalog for the list of courses that count toward the humanities elective course: http://www.nvcc.edu/catalog/cat2009/instruct/gened.htm.

3

Social Sciences Elective

Refer to the current printed NOVA Course Catalog for the list of courses that count toward the social science elective course or check the list of acceptable social science elective courses at:http://www.nvcc.edu/catalog/cat2009/instruct/gened.htm.

3

PED 116

Lifetime Fitness and Wellness
* NOTE: A student can fulfill the complete PED requirement with one course by taking one PED 116, but take the 2-credit option versus the 1-credit option. The PED requirement may be met by one of the following options: PED 116, 2 cr.; PED 220, 2 cr.; PED 116, 1 cr. plus a PED activities course, 1 cr.; or PED 116, 1 cr. plus RPK 205, 216, or 225. PED 116 is offered as both a 1-credit and a 2-credit course.

1

PED/RPK Elective

Any Fitness elective course (i.e., yoga, weight training, bowling).
*If a student takes the 2-credit PED 116 course, then this PED elective course is not needed.

1

SDV Elective

At this time, any Student Development course is acceptable. Topics can include student success skills; leadership; employment readiness and more. Also note, Vet Technology offers its own 8-week course during the first Fall semester of the program as SDV 101.

1

MTH 126

Mathematics for Allied Health
*This course is a 2-credit drug dosage calculation course that prepares you for the Vet Tech Anesthesiology course. Students can also fulfill this requirement by taking a challenge exam at the Loudoun Campus (see Advanced Standing policy below). The Loudoun Test Center is located in LR 251. Information can also be found at:
http://www.nvcc.edu/campuses-and-centers/loudoun/campus-resources/testing/index.html.

2

Advanced Standing Policy

Students who have completed an associate or bachelor degree from an accredited U.S. institution will automatically be given credit for fulfilling all of the general education courses listed above—with the exception of the Chemistry elective course and the Math 126 course. If you have taken a chemistry course as part of your degree curriculum, then you are exempt from taking the chemistry course as well, but if not, then you will still need to take this requirement either before entering the program (if you did not take chemistry in high school) or after entering the program.

For the Math 126 requirement, you may either take this course or take a challenge exam and receive credit-by-exam. The challenge exam can be taken at the Loudoun Campus Testing Center located in LR 251.

Veterinary Technology Course Requirements

After students are accepted into the program they are placed and permitted to register for the courses. Review Courses to see how the full-time, five-semester curriculum is planned.

If you need help or have questions about the Veterinary Technology program minimum or general education requirements Contact Us.