NVCC 2002-2003 Catalog
    Instructional Programs

VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY
Associate in Applied Science Degree LO  

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Purpose: The curriculum will prepare the student for a career as a veterinary technician. Satisfactory completion of the curriculum will make the student eligible to take State Board and National Board examinations for certification as a veterinary technician. The curriculum is broad based and includes both practical and theoretical course work which prepares the student for employment in various areas of animal health care, including veterinary hospitals and research and diagnostic laboratories. There is a part-time and a full-time option.

Special Curriculum Admission Requirements: The Veterinary Technology program accepts 30 students each year. To be admitted to the Veterinary Technology program, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Admission to NVCC in the Veterinary Technology program must be at the Loudoun campus.

2. Be 18 years of age or older, or have program head approval.

3. Satisfactory scores on NVCC placement tests for reading, writing, and mathematics.

4. Completion of one unit of high school level algebra or equivalent.

5. Completion of at least one unit of high school biology and one unit of high school chemistry.

6. Past academic achievement in the above course requirements must reflect a C average or better. Deficiencies may be corrected in the College's developmental program before entering the Veterinary Technology program.

7. A student may elect to take general education courses listed in the program's curriculum prior to seeking acceptance to the Veterinary Technology program. These courses may be taken at any of the College's campuses and may be transferred to NVCC from other accredited post-secondary institutions. A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better is required in all required general education courses taken preceding admission to the Veterinary Technology program, unless waived by the division chair upon the recommendation of the program head.

8. The student seeking admission to the Veterinary Technology program must arrange to have an interview with the program head prior to entering the program.

There are five courses in the part-time program that are open to the general public. Those courses are VET 105, Introduction to Veterinary Technology; VET 111, Anatomy and Physiology; VET 116, Animal Breeds and Behavior; VET 211, Small Animal Disease; and VET 212, Large Animal Disease. Anyone can take these courses. In order to continue in the program and take additional courses, all the requirements for admission must be met.

Responsibilities of Veterinary Technology Students: The following are responsibilities of students in the Veterinary Technology program:

1. Students in the Veterinary Technology program incur a variety of additional expenses. These include, but are not limited to, the cost of uniforms, accessories, and travel to clinical assignments. Students are also responsible for state licensure and national accreditation application and testing fees.

2. A strict dress code is required in the clinical setting. Students may be dismissed if they fail to comply with this dress code.

3. Students are required to complete learning experiences at local hospitals and/or other agencies. Students may be required to attend both day and/or evening clinical assignments.

4. Students must provide their own transportation to clinical assignments. Strict attendance is required at clinical sites.

5. While enrolled in clinical courses, students may not replace or take the responsibility of "qualified" staff in affiliated facilities. However, after demonstrating proficiency, students may be permitted to perform specified procedures under careful supervision. Veterinary Technology students may be employed in clinical facilities outside regular education hours provided that such work does not interfere with academic responsibilities.

Veterinary Technology Program Continuation Requirements: The following continuation requirements govern students in the Veterinary Technology program:

1. All courses in the program major must be completed with a grade of C or better before taking the next course in the sequence, unless waived by the division chair upon the recommendation of the program head.

2. All courses in the major must be taken in the sequence prescribed in the NVCC Catalog, unless otherwise approved by the program head.

3. Students must pass both the theoretical and the clinical/lab portions in order to pass a course.

4. Program faculty and clinical affiliates reserve the right to recommend, through appropriate channels, withdrawal of any student who neither exhibits safe performance nor adheres to prescribed clinical affiliate policies and procedures.

5. Satisfactory physical and mental health must be maintained for continuance in the program. Applicants must be free of any physical and/or mental condition which might adversely affect their acceptance or performances in the program. The College reserves the right to require medical examinations to verify continuing compliance.

Program Re-Enrollment Requirements: Any student who has voluntarily withdrawn or who has been withdrawn due to unsatisfactory academic or clinical performance may apply for re-admission the following academic year. Acceptance will be based upon space availability, successful fulfillment of any contingencies agreed to in writing at the time of withdrawal, and program head approval. An interview and medical examination may be required.

Special Accreditation Status: The curriculum is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

First Year1st Semester2nd Semester3rd Semester

   ENG111College Composition I3
   MTH126Mathematics for Allied Health2
   STDElective1
   VET105Intro. to Veterinary Technology3
   VET111Anat./Phys. of Domestic Animals4
   VET116Animal Breeds & Behavior3
 
   CHM121Health Science Chemistry I 4
PED116Lifetime Fitness & Wellness 1
   VET121Clinical Practices I 3
   VET131Clinical Pathology I 3
   VET135Anesthesia of Domestic Animals 2
 
   VET122Clinical Practices II  3
   VET132Clinical Pathology II  3
   VET211Animal Diseases I  2

Total Credits/Semester16138

Second Year1st Semester2nd Semester

___Social Science Elective3
   SPD110Intro. to Speech Communication3
   VET133Clinical Pathology III3
   VET212Animal Diseases II2
   VET216Animal Pharmacology2
   VET221Advanced Clinical Practices III4
 
PED/RPK 1
___Social Science Elective 3
   VET217Intro./Lab./Zoo/Wildlife Medicine 2
   VET235Animal Hosp. Mgt./Client Relations 3
   VET290Internship 4
   VET298Seminar & Project 2

Total Credits/Semester1715

Total credits for the A.A.S. Degree in Veterinary Technology = 69.

To graduate from a degree program, students entering NVCC Fall 1999 or later must demonstrate computer competency skills as described in the Degree Requirements section of the Instructional Programs of this catalog.

1 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.

2 The social science elective may be selected from the following: economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, or sociology (includes anthropology).


Last revised: Monday, May-18-2015 10:26
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