This program is delivered only through Matanuska-Susitna College.
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Veterinary Technology prepares students to be an integral member of a veterinary team, providing direct nursing care and fulfilling many other technician responsibilities. The program is designed to align with the educational guidelines of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Admission Requirements
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Complete the Admission Requirements for Associate Degrees.
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Complete the following admission requirements for the AAS in Veterinary Technology:
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Due to external regulations, cohort sizes are limited. For that reason, admission to the AAS in Veterinary Technology is competitive and based on a ranking process and selection criteria.
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Admission requirements must be completed prior to the published application deadline.
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There is no guarantee of admission, despite satisfactory completion of all admission requirements. For this reason, it is highly recommended that students begin their studies with a holistic plan, that includes other pathways of interest.
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Formal admission requirements to the AAS in Veterinary Technology:
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Attend an advising session and have an interview with the veterinary technology program coordinator.
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Submit an admission essay.
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Submit a résumé with three letters of recommendation.
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- Due to changing external regulations, it is important that students use the application form for the year they are applying.
- Further details regarding the selection process can be found in the AAS in Veterinary Technology Student Handbook.
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Special Considerations
- Students are required to provide the following before beginning coursework:
- Results of a national-level background check.
- Documentation from a personal physician, PA-C, or NP affirming the capability of performing the physical tasks required for the program as outlined in the AAS in Veterinary Technology Student Handbook.
- Evidence of diphtheria/tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years (with booster required at the time of expiration) and rabies vaccination in accordance with the CDC guidelines for rabies prophylaxis for Risk Category 3.
- Professional liability insurance coverage as outlined in the AAS Veterinary Technology Student Handbook.
- Students enrolled in clinical courses must provide their own transportation to clinical assignments and will be required to purchase uniforms and specialized equipment.
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Students are required to earn a minimum grade of B in VTCH A101 and BIOL A100/BIOL A102/BIOL A111 to progress to the second semester. They are required to earn a minimum grade of C in all remaining VTCH and CHEM courses.
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The veterinary technology program admits students into a program cohort. Thus, a student must be readmitted if they leave the program for any reason.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Associate Degrees.
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Complete the General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
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Students are required to earn a minimum grade of B in VTCH A101 and BIOL A100/BIOL A102/BIOL A111 and earn a minimum grade of C in all remaining VTCH and CHEM courses.
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Complete the following major requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL A100 | Human Biology | 3 |
| or BIOL A102 | Introductory Biology | |
| or BIOL A111 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | |
| CHEM A103 | Introduction to General Chemistry | 3 |
| or CHEM A105 | General Chemistry I | |
| VTCH A101 | Introduction to Veterinary Technology | 1 |
| VTCH A102 | Veterinary Medical Terminology | 1 |
| VTCH A110 | Medical Calculations for Veterinary Technicians | 1 |
| VTCH A111 | Veterinary Office Procedures and Hospital Management | 3 |
| VTCH A112 & A112L | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology and Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| VTCH A113 & A113L | Veterinary Nursing Skills and Veterinary Nursing Skills Laboratory | 4 |
| VTCH A120 | Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians | 2 |
| VTCH A121 | Small Animal Medicine | 3 |
| VTCH A122 & A122L | Veterinary Surgical Nursing and Veterinary Surgical Nursing Laboratory | 4 |
| VTCH A130 | Applied Small Animal Behavior I | 1 |
| VTCH A195 | Clinical Externship I | 3 |
| VTCH A223 & A223L | Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology and Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology Laboratory | 4 |
| VTCH A231 & A231L | Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and Dentistry and Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and Dentistry Laboratory | 3 |
| VTCH A232 & A232L | Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia and Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia Laboratory | 4 |
| VTCH A233 & A233L | Veterinary Clinical Pathology and Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory | 4 |
| VTCH A240 | Applied Small Animal Behavior II | 1 |
| VTCH A241 & A241L | Laboratory and Exotic Animal Medicine and Laboratory and Exotic Animal Medicine Laboratory | 3 |
| VTCH A242 & A242L | Large Animal Medicine and Clinical Procedures and Large Animal Medicine and Clinical Procedures Laboratory | 3 |
| VTCH A243 | Career Success for Veterinary Technicians | 1 |
| VTCH A244 | Veterinary Technician National Exam Preparation | 1 |
| VTCH A295 | Clinical Externship II | 3 |
| Total | 60 | |
A minimum of 72 credits is required for the degree.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology will be able to:
- Apply critical thinking skills required to be effective members of a veterinary care team.
- Perform the technical skills required of a veterinary technician.
- Demonstrate the hands-on animal nursing skills required of a veterinary technician.
- Behave and communicate professionally as required to be successful as a veterinary technician.
Sample Plan
The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.
Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.
- Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
- GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
- Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
- Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BIOL A100 | Human Biology or Introductory Biology or Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| VTCH A101 | Introduction to Veterinary Technology | 1 |
| VTCH A102 | Veterinary Medical Terminology | 1 |
| WRTG A111 | Writing Across Contexts | 3 |
| GER Oral Communication Skills | 3 | |
| GER Quantitative Skills (MATH A121 or MATH A151) | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM A103 or CHEM A105 | Introduction to General Chemistry or General Chemistry I | 3 |
| VTCH A110 | Medical Calculations for Veterinary Technicians | 1 |
| VTCH A111 | Veterinary Office Procedures and Hospital Management | 3 |
| VTCH A112 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| VTCH A112L | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory | 1 |
| VTCH A113 | Veterinary Nursing Skills | 3 |
| VTCH A113L | Veterinary Nursing Skills Laboratory | 1 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| VTCH A120 | Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians | 2 |
| VTCH A121 | Small Animal Medicine | 3 |
| VTCH A122 | Veterinary Surgical Nursing | 3 |
| VTCH A122L | Veterinary Surgical Nursing Laboratory | 1 |
| VTCH A223 | Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology | 3 |
| VTCH A223L | Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology Laboratory | 1 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| VTCH A130 | Applied Small Animal Behavior I | 1 |
| VTCH A231 | Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and Dentistry | 2 |
| VTCH A231L | Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and Dentistry Laboratory | 1 |
| VTCH A232 | Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia | 3 |
| VTCH A232L | Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia Laboratory | 1 |
| VTCH A233 | Veterinary Clinical Pathology | 3 |
| VTCH A233L | Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory | 1 |
| GER Written Communication Skills (200-level) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| VTCH A195 | Clinical Externship I | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| VTCH A240 | Applied Small Animal Behavior II | 1 |
| VTCH A241 | Laboratory and Exotic Animal Medicine | 2 |
| VTCH A241L | Laboratory and Exotic Animal Medicine Laboratory | 1 |
| VTCH A242 | Large Animal Medicine and Clinical Procedures | 2 |
| VTCH A242L | Large Animal Medicine and Clinical Procedures Laboratory | 1 |
| VTCH A243 | Career Success for Veterinary Technicians | 1 |
| VTCH A244 | Veterinary Technician National Exam Preparation | 1 |
| VTCH A295 | Clinical Externship II | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 72-73 | |