Veterinary Technology
Applications for the Veterinary Technology Program Are Now Closed! Application cycle will open again January 1, 2019. Veterinary Technology Assistant applications are now being accepted until December 31, 2018. Questions? Please call 303.365.8300.
About the Program
Veterinary technicians play a major role in veterinary practices, including performing medical and surgical nursing procedures, laboratory testing, anesthesia induction, recovery maintenance, monitoring, and other clinical procedures.
Veterinary Technician Associate Degree
As a program graduate, you will be able to perform tasks that include, but not limited to, assisting with client education and support, assisting veterinarians in an exam, surgery, and treatment, performing diagnostic laboratory procedures and preparing the exam and surgery rooms. Your education will lead to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Veterinary Technology and prepares you to take the veterinary technician national examination for certification. Veterinary technology classes are held on the CCD Lowry Campus in east Denver.
Cohorts must be taken in order and students cannot switch from two-year to three-year tracks (see more details below). Each track is limited to the first 24 applicants. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Clinical internship experiences are in veterinary clinics and shelters throughout metro-Denver.
Accreditations
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA)
These accreditations represent the highest standard of achievement for veterinary medical education in the United States. Accreditation of specialized professional and occupational schools, such as veterinary technology, is undertaken primarily to provide the public with an assurance of the quality of the educational preparation of that profession's members.
Graduation from an AVMA or CVTEA accredited institution is a prerequisite for licensure or certification for professional practice through the majority of state licensing boards and credentialing agencies in order to meet the educational prerequisites.
Two-Year Track
The program begins in the fall semester and continues for five semesters (cohorts), including summer for 18 months of continual study. All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or above prior to graduation. The two-year track curriculum information will help you learn about the courses being offered.
Three-Year Track
The program begins in the fall semester and continues for seven semesters (cohorts), including two summer semesters for 26 months of continual study. All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or above prior to graduation. Three-year track curriculum information will help you learn about the courses being offered.
Internships
CCD Vet Tech students spend 15 weeks interning at four different veterinary hospitals and facilities, all of them approved and accredited with supervision provided by the veterinarian and veterinary technologists. This hands-on, real-world experience in actual veterinary settings better prepares you for a career in veterinary technology.
Veterinary assistant students have one, 90-hour internship in a veterinary hospital or facility under the supervision of the veterinarian and veterinary technologists. Gain practical experience and use what you learned in the classroom.
CCD has partnerships with 75 veterinary hospitals or facilities in and around Denver; our students are often hired by facility after a successful internship. CCD students perform internships at area facilities. Some of them include:
- Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Parker, Colorado
- Aurora Animal Hospital, Aurora, Colorado
- Banfield the Pet Hospital, Glendale, Colorado
- Broadview Animal Clinic, Denver, Colorado
- VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver, Colorado
Veterinary Technology Assistant Certificate
The Veterinary Technology Assistant certificate program provides training in veterinary health and handling of a variety of domestic and exotic species, with the focus on tasks for assisting the veterinary technician and veterinarians.
As a program graduate you will be able to perform tasks that include:
- Restrain and care for animals
- Assist with post-surgical nursing and care
- Assist in the laboratory
- Learn office procedures
Who Should Apply
- People who love animals
- Recent high school or GED graduates
- Those seeking a retraining opportunity
- Short-term training option for students without academic credentials who have an interest in veterinary medicine
- Career exploration with a limited investment of time and money
Cost
Tuition for the Veterinary Technology Assistant program is $2,500. Other expenses to consider include books, which will cost about $100. Financial Aid is available to qualified students. Please apply for aid one semester prior to enrollment. For more information contact Financial Aid & Scholarships at 303.556.2420.