Veterinary Technology, A.A.S.

CIP Code: 01.8301
NOVA Code: 1880 

Offered through LO

Purpose: Our program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association 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.

Pre-Admission Requirements: Completion of the following high school units or equivalent with a C or better:

1. Proficiency in English
2. Complete the following prerequisites with a “C” or better: SDV 100 , ENG 111 , MTH 133 , CHM 101  or CHM 111  , and VET 111 .
3. 18-years of age at time of application
4. Letter of Intent
5. Two professional letters of recommendations
6. Current resume
7. If not working at a veterinary clinic or hospital, must complete 32 hours of clinical observation in a veterinary clinic or hospital of choice and obtain a statement from clinical practice on their official letterhead documenting these hours.
8. Official high school and college transcripts

Admission Requirements: Completion of Pre-Veterinary Technology Semester Courses

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 required continuing education (CE) seminars. 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 and CE seminars. 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 veterinary medical facilities outside regular education hours provided that such work does not interfere with their academic responsibilities.

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. See Technical Standards & Essential Functions for the Veterinary Technology Program, visit www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/divisions/natural/vettech/oncampus/requirements.html.

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 may be completed by program placement in either the full-time, on-site program at Loudoun Campus or the online program, but not both at the same time.

Online Veterinary Technology Program: 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 Blackboard 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.

Special curriculum admission requirements (#1-8 above) and Veterinary Technology Program continuation requirements (#1-5 above) also pertain to the online program. Details for additional forms for Memo of Agreement and online program application checklist for packet are available at www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/divisions/natural/vettech/online/index.html.

The following requirements apply to students in the online Veterinary Technology Program in addition to the requirements listed for the on-site program:

1. Students must currently work at an approved veterinary facility for an average minimum of 20 hours per week. This facility is expected to be registered with the Board of Veterinary Medicine.
2. Students must be supervised by a licensed veterinarian where they work. The student, the supervising veterinarian (also referred to as the mentor), and Program faculty complete the Memoranda of Agreement that outline the goals of the Program and expectations of each participant. The mentor has the option of appointing an assistant mentor, who must be another licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician, to assist in supervising the student during any clinical assignments.
3. Students must physically attend scheduled lab sessions and practical exams at the Loudoun Campus at least two or three times per semester.
4. The online program requires three years (eight consecutive semesters) for completion. Students will enroll in two or three veterinary technology-specific courses per semester for eight semesters, including two summer sessions. Classes must be taken in the sequence laid out on the Veterinary Technology website at www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/divisions/natural/vettech/online/courses.html. The following curricular layout shows the sequence of courses for the on-campus program.