Veterinary Technology, A.A.S.

CIP Code: 01.8301

NOVA Code: 1880 

Purpose: Our program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). We award an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and prepare you for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), an entry-level national licensing exam.

Admission Requirements: Completion of the following units with a “C” or better:

1. Complete the following prerequisites with a “C” or better: SDV 101   Orientation to Veterinary Technology or SDV 100 , VET 111 , ENG 111 , MTH 133 , CHM 101  or CHM 111 .
2. 18-years of age at time of application
3. Letter of Intent
4. Two professional letters of recommendations
5. Current resume
6. Full-time (2-year) Program: working an average minimum of 10 hours per week at a veterinary facility

     Part-time (2-year) Program: working an average minimum of 20 hours per week at a veterinary facility

     Those with a Student Visa are not required to work and must take all VET specific courses on-campus.

  7. Official college transcripts

Responsibilities of Veterinary Technology Students:

1. Students in the Veterinary Technology Program incur a variety of additional expenses. These include, but are not limited to, the cost of uniforms (such as lab coat with name tag), human vaccinations, a preadmissions physical examination, lab fees, lab supplies, accessories, and travel to and from clinical assignments, including program field trips. Students are also responsible for individual 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 day, evening, night, or weekend 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 Program Continuation Requirements:

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 academic dean upon the recommendation of the program director.
2. All courses in the major must be taken in the sequence prescribed in the NOVA Catalog.
3. Students must pass both the theoretical and the clinical/lab portions in order to pass a course with grade of “C” or better.
4. Program faculty and clinical affiliates reserve the right to recommend, through appropriate channels, withdrawal of any student who either fails to exhibit safe performance or fails to adhere to required clinical affiliate policies and procedures.
5. Students must be able to perform all essential functions of the Veterinary Technology Program, with or without reasonable accommodation. Visit the Student Section on the Veterinary Technology website for the Technical Standards & Essential Functions for the Veterinary Technology Program.

Program Reenrollment Requirements: Any student who has voluntarily withdrawn or who has been withdrawn due to unsatisfactory academic or clinical performance may apply for readmission the following academic year. However, acceptance will be based upon space availability, successful fulfillment of any contingencies agreed to in writing at the time of withdrawal, and program director approval. A readmissions interview, medical examination, and human rabies vaccine may be required.

Special Accreditation Status: Both the on-campus and online programs are fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). www.avma.org/ProfessionalDevelopment/Education/Accreditation/Programs/Pages/vettechprograms.aspx.

Delivery Method Options: The program is completed at Loudoun Campus and offers two options to complete the Veterinary Technology degree: full-time (2-years) or part-time (3-years). When applying to the Program, you may only choose one option.

Veterinary Technology Program Online Courses: Special rules apply to online courses offered to students living outside of Virginia. For further information visit https://eli.nvcc.edu/state-authorization.htm. Courses are administered online using Canvas and are offered through NOVA Online. Students use class notes from the online course site and textbooks to study and complete course assignments. Students participate in online class discussions and communicate regularly with faculty. Laboratory review and practical examinations are held at NOVA’s Loudoun Campus. Formal written examinations are taken at testing centers at the student’s local community college or any NOVA campus Testing Center. Many methods of evaluation of clinical skills are employed including: video, product evaluation such as radiographs and blood smear slides done by the student, assignments, as well as testing on campus.