Veterinary Technology (AAS)

Degree: Associate of Applied Science
Major: Veterinary Technology
Program Code: 1306

About This Major . . .

The Veterinary Technology program is for all individuals who wish to develop careers as an important member of the veterinary care team by providing humane and quality care to animals. Veterinary technicians perform a variety of tasks including medical and surgical nursing procedures, laboratory testing, anesthesia induction, recovery maintenance, monitoring, holding and restraining animals during exams and treatments, collecting specimens, taking diagnostic X-rays, administering medication or treatments, assisting in surgery, and assisting with client education. Your education will lead to an Associate of Applied Science in veterinary technology and prepares you to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination for certification. Graduates may find career opportunities in private veterinary practices, research laboratories, kennels, zoos, and local, state and federal agencies.

Important information about this program:

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.

Veterinary Technician Program Accreditation –

Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Specialized Accreditation American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA)

Western Colorado Community College (WCCC) Veterinary Technology Program has achieved program approval through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is in the process of completing accreditation requirements for accreditation through the AVMA CVTEA.  The AVMA CVTEA application does not guarantee accreditation nor does it grant any temporary status of accreditation. While students may take classes that are potentially required for a degree, students will not be eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam until AVMA CVTEA program approval is granted.  WCCC is actively seeking this accreditation.

All CMU/WCCC associate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus‐wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Communicate in a professional manner to the veterinary team and clients, in all formats - written, oral, non-verbal, and electronic (Communication Fluency).
    2.
  2. Safely and effectively perform applied skill sets and techniques necessary for the profession and applicable to a broad range of animal species, at a competent level and in a proficient manner (Critical Thinking; Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning).
    3.
  3. Follow and uphold applicable laws and the veterinary technology profession's ethical codes to provide high quality care to patients (Personal and Social Responsibility).

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU and WCCC Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 60 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 15 of the final 30 semester hours of credit at CMU/WCCC.
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU/WCCC coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 20 semester credit hours for an AAS degree.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Specific to this degree:

  • 82 semester credit hours required for the AAS, Veterinary Technology.

Essential Learning Requirements

(16 semester hours)

See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below.  If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.

English
ENGL 111English Composition I-GTCO13
SPCH 101Interpersonal Communications3
Mathematics
MATH 108Technical Mathematics (or higher) 14
Other Essential Learning Core Courses
Select one course and corresponding lab from the following: 4
BIOL 101
& 101L
General Human Biology-GTSC1
and General Human Biology Laboratory-GTSC1
BIOL 105
& 105L
Attributes of Living Systems-GTSC1
and Attributes of Living Systems Laboratory-GTSC1
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences, Fine Arts or Humanities course 23
Total Semester Credit Hours17
1

MATH 108 is a 4 semester credit hour course; however, if a student completes a higher-level, Essential Learning eligible Mathematics course at 3 semester credit hours, that course would fulfill the Mathematics Essential Learning requirement.

Other Lower Division Requirements

Wellness Requirement
KINE 100Health and Wellness1
KINA 1XXActivity Course1
Total Semester Credit Hours2

Program Specific Degree Requirements

(63 semester hours, must earn a grade of "C" or better in each course)

VETT 102Veterinary Medical Terminology2
VETT 106Exotic Animal Handling2
VETT 108Introduction to Laboratory Procedures3
VETT 109Applied Companion Animal Behavior3
VETT 115Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Technicians2
VETT 116Humane Treatment and Handling of Animals3
VETT 120Office Procedures and Relations2
VETT 134Diagnostic Imaging2
VETT 172First Year Clinical Basics2
VETT 205
& 205L		Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology I
and Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory		4
VETT 206
& 206L		Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II
and Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory		4
VETT 223Introduction to Anesthesia1
VETT 224Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians3
VETT 225Anesthesiology3
VETT 227Animal Nutrition2
VETT 232Veterinary Dentistry1
VETT 238Small Animal Nursing2
VETT 239Large Animal Nursing3
VETT 241Clinical Laboratory Procedures4
VETT 242Veterinary Critical Care2
VETT 243Veterinary Diagnostic Microbiology3
VETT 250Clinical Competency Evaluation1
VETT 275Specialty Rotation2
VETT 280Diagnostic Imaging Clinical1
VETT 281Clinical I2
VETT 282Clinical II3
VETT 285Veterinary Technician Exam Prep1
Total Semester Credit Hours63

Due to a potential variation in semester credit hours for the Essential Learning Mathematics credits, the following sequencing results in variable credit hours; however, students in this major must complete a minimum of 82 semester credit hours, including satisfactory completion of all required courses, for satisfactory completion of degree. 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 3
KINA 1XXActivity Course 1
KINE 100 Health and Wellness 1
MATH 108 Technical Mathematics (or higher) 1 4
SPCH 101 Interpersonal Communications 3
Select one course and corresponding lab from the following: 4
BIOL 101
& 101L
 General Human Biology-GTSC1
and General Human Biology Laboratory-GTSC1
BIOL 105
& 105L
 Attributes of Living Systems-GTSC1
and Attributes of Living Systems Laboratory-GTSC1
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences, History, Natural Sciences, Fine Arts, or Humanities Essential Learning course 2 3
VETT 102 Veterinary Medical Terminology 2
VETT 108 Introduction to Laboratory Procedures 3
VETT 109 Applied Companion Animal Behavior 3
VETT 116 Humane Treatment and Handling of Animals 3
VETT 120 Office Procedures and Relations 2
 Semester Credit Hours16
Summer Semester
VETT 134 Diagnostic Imaging 2
VETT 172 First Year Clinical Basics 2
VETT 205
& 205L		 Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology I
and Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory		 4
VETT 280 Diagnostic Imaging Clinical 1
 Semester Credit Hours9
Second Year
Fall Semester
VETT 106 Exotic Animal Handling 2
VETT 115 Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Technicians 2
VETT 206
& 206L		 Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II
and Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory		 4
VETT 223 Introduction to Anesthesia 1
VETT 224 Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians 3
VETT 241 Clinical Laboratory Procedures 4
VETT 281 Clinical I 2
 Semester Credit Hours18
Spring Semester
VETT 225 Anesthesiology 3
VETT 227 Animal Nutrition 2
VETT 232 Veterinary Dentistry 1
VETT 238 Small Animal Nursing 2
VETT 239 Large Animal Nursing 3
VETT 242 Veterinary Critical Care 2
VETT 250 Clinical Competency Evaluation 1
VETT 275 Specialty Rotation 2
 Semester Credit Hours16
Summer Semester
VETT 243 Veterinary Diagnostic Microbiology 3
VETT 282 Clinical II 3
VETT 285 Veterinary Technician Exam Prep 1
 Semester Credit Hours7
 Total Semester Credit Hours82
1

MATH 108 is a 4 semester credit hour course; however, if a student completes a higher-level, Essential Learning eligible Mathematics course at 3 semester credit hours, that course would fulfill the Mathematics Essential Learning requirement.

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for her/his intended degree(s).

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be her/his responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.