Veterinary Technology - Associate of Applied Science Degree
This program offers two educational options: a two-semester Veterinary Assistant certificate (a separate listing follows) and a two-year Veterinary Technician Associate of Applied Science degree.
The Veterinary Technician AAS degree program provides training in veterinary health and the handling of a variety of domestic and exotic animals, as well as laboratory animals encountered in a veterinary practice or biomedical research setting. While veterinary technicians serve as paraprofessional members of the veterinary medical team, veterinary technicians do not diagnose animal illnesses, prescribe treatment, or perform surgery.
Assessment testing is required for all students. Students who are reading at college-level and place into CCR 093 or above and MAT 050 or above may begin these program options. Students scoring below this level should consult with a Faculty Member before registering for courses in this program of study.
The program's curriculum includes such topics as anatomy and physiology, radiology, parasitology, medical and surgical nursing, anesthesia, pharmacology, and other related scientific areas of veterinary health or related skills areas. This curriculum is not intended to provide admission to a college of veterinary medicine.
A critical component of the program is student participation in clinical internships. Between the second and third semesters, a 135-hour private practice internship is required. In the final semester, students participate in clinical rotations at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. This training includes such areas as critical care, large animal medicine and surgery, small animal care, and other related areas.
Admission Requirements:
To enter the program, students must meet the following admission requirements:
1. Completion of a high school diploma or GED.
2. Achievement of indicated assessment scores and completion of preparatory coursework.
3. Students must receive a grade of “C” or better and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on prerequisite courses listed below:
Completion of ENG 131 Technical Writing I or ENG 121 English Composition I
Completion of BIO 111 General College Biology (no more than seven years old)
Completion of CIS 109 Management Software & Technical Applications: Veterinary Professionals
Completion of VET 102 or HPR 178 Medical Terminology
Completion of MAT 103 Math for Clinical Calculations or MAT 107 Career Math or MAT 121 College Algebra
4. Completion of a Veterinary Technology Intent to Enroll application form available at the Larimer Campus or online at www.frontrange.edu.
Admission to the program is limited to the first 24 students who have submitted the appropriate admission materials. It is strongly recommended that students complete the required general education courses prior to beginning the program. Students must be admitted to the VET program to enroll in any VET prefix courses.
The Veterinary Technology Program also offers two professional development opportunities for currently enrolled students, graduates of the program, or credentialed veterinary technicians and/or assistants. Both of these classes can be taken in addition to the other program requirements to help students explore different opportunities within veterinary medicine.
- VET 109 Applied Companion Animal Behavior is an excellent professional development opportunity for those interested in small animal behavior and is available for enrollment for current students already accepted into the technician or assistant program, credentialed technicians and certified assistants.
- VET 242 Veterinary Critical Care is an advanced level course designed to expose student to the specialty of Emergency and Critical Care. This class is available for enrollment for current students already enrolled in the technician program, graduates of the program, or credentialed technicians.
Requirements
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better prior to graduation.
Required Courses
| VET 102 | Veterinary Medical Terminology | 1 |
| VET 106 | Exotic Animal Handling | 2 |
| VET 108 | Introduction to Laboratory Procedures | 3 |
| VET 115 | Surgical Nursing | 2 |
| VET 116 | Humane Treatment and Handling of Animals | 3 |
| VET 120 | Office Procedures and Relations | 2 |
| VET 134 | Diagnostic Imaging | 2 |
| VET 180 | Internship: Private Practice | 3 |
| VET 205 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| VET 206 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| VET 224 | Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians | 3 |
| VET 225 | Anesthesiology | 3 |
| VET 227 | Animal Nutrition | 2 |
| VET 238 | Small Animal Nursing | 2 |
| VET 239 | Large Animal Nursing | 2 |
| VET 241 | Clinical Laboratory Procedures | 4 |
| VET 243 | Veterinary Diagnostic Microbiology | 3 |
| VET 250 | Clinical Competency Evaluation | 1 |
| VET 280 | Internship | 11 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 57 |
General Education Requirements
Natural and Physical Sciences
| BIO 111 | General College Biology I with Lab | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 5 |
English
Select one course (3 credits) from the following:
| ENG 121 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 122 | English Composition II | 3 |
| ENG 131 | Technical Writing I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Note: Students desiring professional advancement in this field through transfer should consider taking ENG 121 or ENG 122 to satisfy the general education requirements in English at transfer institutions.
Communication
Select one course (3 credits) from below:
| COM 115 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| COM 125 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| MTE 110 | Applied Communication & Teamwork in Industry | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Mathematics
| MAT 103 | Math for Clinical Calculations | 3 |
| or higher | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Note: Students desiring professional advancement in this field through transfer should consider taking MAT 121 or a (GT-MA1) course to satisfy the general education requirements in Mathematics at transfer institutions. Specific transfer pathways may require MAT 201. Please work with your intended transfer institution regarding acceptance of transfer coursework.
Computer Technology
| CIS 109 | Management Software and Technical Applications: Veterinary Professionals | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1 |
Required General Education Courses
Total Credit Hours: 72-74