Veterinary Technology

Summary

The Veterinary Technology program prepares students for careers in the veterinary medical arena. Graduates may become Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) upon passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

Award Note: The Associate Degree requires a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units.

Learning Outcome(s): Students who complete the Veterinary Technology Program will be able to:

1. Apply the knowledge and skills to perform safe and effective clinical procedures relative to the veterinary field.
2. Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors necessary to be a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).
3. Communicate effectively with other veterinary professionals as appropriate for an RVT.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills both independently and in a team environment.
5. Be knowledgeable of the California veterinary laws and regulations as they relate to the RVT.

Accreditation

San Diego Mesa College Veterinary Technology Program is accredited by the AVMA CVTEA as a program for educating veterinary technicians.

After successfully completing the Vet Tech program, students will be awarded an Associate of Science degree in Veterinary Technology from the San Diego Community College District. Graduates of this program are required to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) in order to become licensed as a Registered Veterinary Technician in California.

Work Experience Requirement

Students accepted into this program will be required to successfully complete a clinically-based work experience course held in an animal health care facility. These facilities may require background checks, including fingerprinting, as a condition of placement at the clinical site.

Refusal to submit to a background check, or failure to meet clearance criteria established by the animal health care facility, may prevent placement at a work experience site and thus, it may not be possible to successfully complete the program.

Veterinary and animal health care facilities also require adherence to strict standards of conduct. Facilities may refuse educational access to any person who does not adhere to the facility’s standards of safety, health and ethical behavior. This may be cause for removal from the program.

Admission Criteria

Eligibility for enrollment in this program is determined by a special admission procedure. Interested persons should review program information on the website.

A grade of "C" or better must be maintained in all courses to continue in the program. Course repetition in this program is not permitted. The program is governed by the Allied Health Department Policies.

Requirements