2023-2024 Pierce College Catalog
Veterinary Technology (AAS) Course Map
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Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field. It provides you a clear path to complete your degree by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets degree requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time.
While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete the Associate in Applied Science Veterinary Technology, you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements.
Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!
Licensure Eligibility Requirements
To work as a veterinary technician in the state of Washington you must be licensed through the Washington State Department of Health. In addition to successfully completing the Applied Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology you will also be required to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination and the Washington state jurisprudence exam to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. Please visit the Veterinary Technology – Washington State Licensing Requirements site for more information. Pierce College has not determined if our veterinary technician education program meets requirements for licensure outside of the state of Washington.
Visit our NC-SARA Licensure Disclosure page for more information.
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ctcLink Plan Code: VHTVTAPT
Total Credits without Prerequisites 93
Total Credits with Prerequisites 121-123
Application Requirements for the Veterinary Technology (AAS)
Admission Requirements
All candidates must have the following courses, these courses may require prerequisites based upon placement scores.
Prerequisites for Admission
If you apply for admission within 12 months of graduating from high school within the last 12 months, you may use the following high school courses:
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Biology and Chemistry
- Note: a 3.0 or better is required for high school biology and chemistry courses.
- If you do not meet the 3.0 requirement, you may need to complete introductory biology and introductory chemistry
If you apply for admission more than 12 months after graduating from high school, you will need to complete the following college-level courses:
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Introductory biology (i.e. BIOL& 100, 5 credits or high school biology if applying for admission to the program within 12 months of high school graduation)
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Introductory chemistry (i.e., CHEM& 100, 5 credits or high school chemistry if applying for admission to the program within 12 months of high school graduation)
College-Level Prerequisites
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Math - MATH& 107 or equivalent (5 credits)
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English Composition - ENGL& 101 or equivalent (5 credits)
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Medical Terminology - BTECM 150 or equivalent (5 credits)
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College Success – COLLG 110 or equivalent (3 or 5 credits)
Note: a 2.0 or better is required for each college-level prerequisite course.
Total Credits for Prerequisites: 28-30 credits
Other Requirements
- Program assessment test
- Recommendation/Reference Form and Discussion Topics Form
- Veterinary hospital experience
- Many laboratory sessions require lifting, bending, and restraining animals. This is physically demanding and a necessary part of the curriculum. If a student has any physical limitations that would prevent them from doing this work, they are advised to contact the access and Disability Services (ADS) Office.
Apply Early
Because the veterinary technology courses are offered in sequence, students may enter the program fall quarter only. Deadline for submitting the admissions form, the $30 non-refundable application fee, and other required documents is April 15 preceding the fall quarter in which the student plans to enter the program. Because of the special admission requirements for the program, applications for admission submitted online are not accepted. The application packet and forms can be accessed through the Veterinary Technology website.
Fall Quarter
- VT 100 Introduction to Veterinary Technology (2 credits)
Course purpose: This is an introductory course of the veterinary medical profession and the role of the technician within the profession. It outlines job opportunities, ethics, husbandry terms for various species including breed identification, and common infectious diseases of dogs and cats. - VT 101 Animal Nursing I Lecture (2 credits)
Course purpose: This course covers many required AVMA Essential Skills and introduces the first year students to the basics of physical exams, medication routes and daily care of hospitalized patients. The skills learned in this course will be utilized throughout the program and used daily out in practice. - VT 102 Animal Nursing I Laboratory (2 credits)
Course purpose: This course covers many required AVMA Essential Skills and introduces the first year students to the basics of physical exams, medication administration and venipuncture. The skills learned in this course will be utilized throughout the program and used daily out in practice. - VT 103 Veterinary Communications (2 credits)
Course purpose: This course introduces essential skills in communications within the veterinary profession. Veterinary technicians must be able to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients, work as a team member, and navigate emotional interactions on a daily basis. - VT 110 Ward Care Laboratory I (1 credit)
Course purpose: This is the first course of a three-course series in which you are required to perform cleaning of animal housing areas, feeding of various animal species, and administration of medications to animals when necessary. Knowing how to perform these tasks is necessary for a veterinary technician in a clinical practice. - VT 114 Dentistry for Veterinary Technicians (2 credits)
Course purpose: This course is the first of two that covers AVMA Essential skills required for small animal Dentistry procedures. The lecture component will provide an overview of veterinary dentistry with emphasis on anatomy and pathophysiology, selection and maintenance of dental instruments, radiography, and proper performance of dental prophylaxis. The lab component will have you practicing your dental skills on models. - VT 125 Animal Anatomy and Physiology I (5 credits)
Course purpose: This is a foundation course in the program which provides you with the knowledge of anatomy and physiology you need in order to understand the subject matter presented in other program courses including animal diseases, surgical nursing, and pharmacology. - VT 160 Applied Behavior Techniques I (2 credits)
Course purpose: The lecture portion of this course will show you the basics of dog and cat behavior, body language and common behavior problems seen in practice. The lab portion of the course has you working one on one with program dogs to teach them basic commands and socialize them to help them be adopted at the end of the year. You will work with the cats to socialize them and enrich their time in the program. Knowledge of dog and cat behavior and basic obedience training techniques is important for veterinary technicians in a clinical practice.
Total Fall Term Credits: 18 Credits
Action Item: Meet with Advisor
Use your Success Network! In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps.
Winter Quarter
- VT 104 Animal Nursing II (4 credits)
Course purpose: This course covers many required AVMA Essential Skills and teaches students how to perform surgical nursing skills on live animals. The skills taught in this course are necessary for a veterinary technician in clinical practice. - VT 111 Ward Care Laboratory II (1 credit)
Course purpose: This is the second course of a three-course series in which you are required to perform cleaning of animal housing areas, feeding of various animal species, and administration of medications to animals when necessary. Knowing how to perform these tasks is necessary for a veterinary technician in a clinical practice. - VT 115 Applied Dentistry Laboratory (1 credit)
Course purpose: This is the second dentistry course, where you will perform dental prophylaxis on live animals. - VT 123 Large Animal Nursing (4 credits)
Course purpose: This course covers many required AVMA Essential skills and teaches you large animal husbandry techniques and clinical procedures. The knowledge and skills learned in this course are necessary for a veterinary technician working in clinical practice providing services to livestock species. - VT 126 Animal Anatomy and Physiology II (3 credits)
Course purpose: This is a foundation course in the program which provides you with the knowledge of anatomy and physiology you need in order to understand the subject matter presented in other program courses including animal diseases, surgical nursing, and pharmacology. - VT 155 Nutrition and Complementary Therapies (2 credits)
Course purpose: This course focuses on dog and cat nutrition. LVT play a major role as nutritional counselor in practice. This course introduces you to commercial and therapeutic diets, calculating daily calorie requirements, and discerning food labels. This course also introduces commonly practiced veterinary complementary therapies. Clients often request complementary therapies and you should be aware of what modalities are well accepted and legitimate. - VT 161 Applied Behavior Techniques II (1 credit)
Course purpose: The lecture portion of this course will show you the basics of dog and cat behavior, body language and common behavior problems seen in practice. The lab portion of the course has you working one on one with program dogs to teach them basic commands and socialize them to help them be adopted at the end of the year. You will work with the cats to socialize them and enrich their time in the program. Knowledge of dog and cat behavior and basic obedience training techniques is important for veterinary technicians in a clinical practice.
Total Winter Term Credits: 16 credits
Spring Quarter
- VT 105 Animal Nursing III (3 credits)
Course purpose: This course covers many required AVMA Essential skills and teaches you husbandry and clinical techniques for commonly encountered exotic animal species. The knowledge and skills learned in this course are necessary for a veterinary technician working in clinical practice providing services to exotic animal species. - VT 107 Medical Dosage for Veterinary Technicians (2 credits)
Course purpose: Medical dosage calculation is an essential skill for veterinary technicians. They must be able to calculate medical doses accurately as this can have a detrimental effect on an animal’s health if miscalculated. - VT 112 Ward Care Laboratory III (1 credit)
Course purpose: This is the third course of a three-course series in which you are required to perform cleaning of animal housing areas, feeding of various animal species, and administration of medications to animals when necessary. Knowing how to perform these tasks is necessary for a veterinary technician in a clinical practice. - VT 130 Veterinary Pain Management (2 credits)
Course purpose: In this course you will learn the physiology of pain, how to recognize pain in animals, and Pain management. Conventional drug therapy and complementary therapies will be discussed. - VT 150 Clinical Microbiology and Public Health (5 credits)
Course purpose: This course covers microorganisms and pathogens relevant to veterinary medicine. Because LVT have a role in client education, public health concerns and zoonoses are emphasized. - VT 162 Applied Behavior Techniques III (1 credit)
Course purpose: The lecture portion of this course will show you the basics of dog and cat behavior, body language and common behavior problems seen in practice. The lab portion of the course has you working one on one with program dogs to teach them basic commands and socialize them to help them be adopted at the end of the year. You will work with the cats to socialize them and enrich their time in the program. Knowledge of dog and cat behavior and basic obedience training techniques is important for veterinary technicians in a clinical practice. - VT 166 Hematology for Veterinary Technicians (4 credits)
Course purpose: The complete blood count (CBC) is an AVMA Essential Skill. The laboratory portion of this course concentrates on the hands on skills required to perform an accurate CBC. The lecture portion of this course discusses normal/abnormal blood findings and species comparison.
Total Spring Term Credits: 18 credits
Fall Quarter
- VT 230 Anesthesiology (4 credits)
Course purpose: This course covers many required AVMA Essential Skills related to the practice of anesthesia on domestic animal species. Veterinary technicians perform anesthesia in clinical practice and the knowledge and skills learned in this course are an essential part of their training. - VT 250 Radiology for Veterinary Technicians (3 credits)
Course purpose: This course covers many required AVMA Essential Skills related to the practice of radiology on domestic animal species. Veterinary technicians have to take radiographs of animals in clinical practice and the knowledge and skills learned in this course are an essential part of their training. - VT 251 Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians (3 credits)
Course purpose: This course provides an overview of commonly used veterinary drugs. Veterinary technicians have to properly package and label prescription drugs, administer drugs to animals, and monitor animals receiving drug treatment for adverse effects. Knowledge of pharmacology ensures that students are able to perform these tasks properly in clinical practice. - VT 266 Veterinary Clinical Pathology and Parasitology (5 credits)
Course purpose: This course covers many required AVMA Essential Skills relating to laboratory skills that veterinary technicians will use on a daily basis in practice.
Total Fall Term Credits: 15 credits
Action Item: Apply for Graduation
Way to go! It is time to apply for graduation, VTNE examination, and veterinary technician license. For graduation details, visit the Pierce College Graduation website.
Winter Quarter
- VT 215 Animal Hospital Office Procedures (2 credits)
Course purpose: This course covers many required AVMA Essential Skills relating to the business side of veterinary medicine. Topics covered include customer service, interviewing, employer expectations, paperwork, record keeping, inventory, and safety issues. - VT 224 Veterinary Clinical Laboratory Principles (2 credits)
Course purpose: This lecture course is a review of the laboratory skills covered in the veterinary technology program. It is a synopsis of multiple courses and skills you will learn throughout your time in the program. - VT 225 Equine Nursing (1 credit)
Course purpose: This course covers required AVMA Essential skills and teaches you equine husbandry procedures. The knowledge and skills learned in this course are necessary for a veterinary technician working in clinical practice providing services to horses. - VT 240 Animal Diseases (3 credits)
Course purpose: This course provides an overview of common small animal diseases. Knowledge of small animal diseases helps the veterinary technician assist practicing veterinarians in the medical management of animals in the veterinary hospital. - VT 260 Emergency and Critical Care (3 credits)
Course purpose: This course provides an overview of common small animal emergency conditions. Veterinary technicians are part of the health care team that manages animals experiencing medical emergencies and the knowledge gained in this course will help students provide proper treatment to critical care patients. - VT 265 Clinical Techniques Laboratory (3 credits)
Course purpose: This is a program capstone course in which you practice performing common clinical procedures practiced on domestic animals. The skills taught in this course are necessary for a veterinary technician in clinical practice.
Total Winter Term Credits: 14 credits
Total Spring Term Credits: 12 credits
Total Credits without Prerequisites 93
Total Credits with Prerequisites 121-123
ctcLink Plan Code: VHTVTAPT
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