Veterinary Technician

Degree

• Associate of Applied Science Degree - Veterinary Technology

Veterinary Technician Program Information

The TMCC associate degree from the veterinary technician program prepares the student to practice as a licensed veterinary technician (LVT). Graduates may practice as a LVT in general or specialty private veterinary practices, universities, research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, zoos, or other areas where veterinary technicians’ skills are needed. The TMCC veterinary technician program meets all of the minimum degree requirements for the Associate of Applied Science degree. The associate in applied science in veterinary technology will be awarded upon completion of all general education and core requirements. Upon completion of the degree the student will be eligible to apply to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) leading to licensure as a licensed veterinary technician. Students may also need to apply for individual state exams depending on the state in which they choose to work. The TMCC veterinary technician program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Special Admissions Procedures

The following requirements MUST be fulfilled by June 1 of the year in which you are applying for consideration for selection to the veterinary technician program.

• Must be an admitted student at TMCC.
• Must have completed the following or equivalent courses:

  Course List

  Code	Title	Units
  BIOL 190 & 190L	Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology and Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory	4
  ENG 101	Composition I	3
  or ENG 113	Composition I for International Students
  MATH 120	Fundamentals of College Mathematics (or higher)	3

Students must complete each class with a grade of “C” or better. The records office must receive an official copy of your transcript containing the course and grade.

• Submit veterinary technician program application and all required paperwork as described on the application (which is available online in the spring).
• Submit official transcripts of all college education.
• If spring semester course work has not been posted to your transcript, a letter from the College’s registrar documenting course work completed and final grade(s) must be provided to the records office.

Admission to the veterinary technician program will be based on completion of the special admissions procedures and the number of points an applicant receives. Eligible students will be numerically ranked, according to total points. In the event of applicants having an equal number of points, the students’ GPAs (in all course work applying toward an Associate of Applied Science veterinary technology degree) will be used to rank the tied group. In the event of a further tie, individual essays will be assessed to rank the tied group. Please see the veterinary technician program application for more information. From this ranked list, the fall class will be selected. Selection to the veterinary technician program occurs on a yearly basis for the fall semester. Applicants not selected will not be carried forward to the next year and must reapply for consideration.

An accepted student must submit to the veterinary technician program the following information on or before the first day of class.

• Evidence of current medical insurance.
• Evidence of required immunization status for Diphtheria and Tetanus, and Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.

Students’ progression in the veterinary technician program is contingent upon attaining and maintaining a grade of “C” or better in each class of the veterinary technician program (VETT classes). Veterinary technician courses are to be taken in the sequence outlined in the College catalog. General education support courses other than prerequisites may be taken at any time though it is strongly suggested classes be taken prior to acceptance into the program.

Veterinary technician students who are unable to progress from one course to another may apply for re-entry within one year of exiting the program. All re-entry admissions are on a space available basis. Re-entry is not guaranteed. Upon the student’s re-admission, the program coordinator will outline the necessary course work. Re-admission to the veterinary technician program is limited to one time only.  Further information is available in the veterinary technician program handbook.

Veterinary technician graduates are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and to apply for licensure in the state of their choice. Each state has specific criteria for licensure eligibility. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the state to ascertain eligibility requirements. Graduation from an AVMA accredited program is only one of the requirements and does not mean automatic licensure as a veterinary technician.