Veterinary Technology
CurriculumPartnerships with 75 Veterinary Hospitals & Facilities, Direct to Work
Offered in the Classroom & 27% Online
- AAS Associate of Applied Science Degree | 74 Credits
Veterinary Technology
Applications for the Veterinary Technology Program Are Now CLOSED!
The next application cycle will be April 1 - July 1, 2020. The next Veterinary Technology Assistant application cycle is May 1st - July 31st for a fall start. 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.
As a program graduate, you will be able to perform tasks that include, but are 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 in veterinary technology and prepares you to take the veterinary technician national examination for certification.
Veterinary technology classes are held on CCD's Lowry location 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.
Two-Year Track |
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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. Learn more about the application process and apply today! |
Three-Year Track |
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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. Learn more about the application process and apply today! |
Essential Functions of a Vet Tech
Essential functions necessary for a competent veterinary health technician are standards that protect the technician, other members of the health care team, and the animal patients.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to tolerate walking and standing for sustained periods of time.
- Capable of lifting and/or carrying up to 50 pounds from the floor to waist level frequently.
- Capable of using hands and arms to handle, install, position, and move materials.
- Capable of handling, positioning, and restraining live animals.
Sensory Abilities
- Visual ability to see details at a close range and to make observations and assessments necessary in animal care.
- Visual ability to use diagnostic equipment, i.e. microscope, thermometer, refractometer, etc.
- Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
- Hear auscultatory sounds, monitor alarms, emergency, and cries for help.
- Hear warning sounds from animals and humans of impending danger and or injury.
- Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and to perform nursing duties.
- Perform palpation during physical exams.
- Administer oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous medications.
- Insert and remove tubes and perform wound care management.
- Collect organic samples from live animals.
Mental Abilities
- Amenable to learning safe handling, restraining, and working with any species of domestic or exotic animals without fear. These animals may be sick, injured, fractious, or aggressive without fear.
- Willingness to assist with or perform a wide variety of routine medical-surgical and diagnostic procedures common to the veterinary setting, including humane euthanasia.
- Capacities to read and hear, understand, and quickly execute complex verbal and written instructions given in English.
- Possess emotional stability when performing duties in animal life and death situations or other stressful situations.
- Able to respond promptly and appropriately during emergencies.
Accreditation
- 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.
Available Online
CCD Online offers fully online certificates and degrees, and individual online courses to help match your busy schedule. This program offers 27 percent of its degree either online or through a hybrid program.
Your first step is to see if online learning is right for you. Online and hybrid environments offer much more flexibility but require more self-direction and self-discipline. Certain work habits, learning styles and skills contribute to a successful online or hybrid learning experience.
Online Experience Questions?
303.352.6785 | TLC@ccd.edu
Course & Program Fees
Some programs and/or courses may require additional fees in addition to the base tuition and fees. High-cost course fees are used to support the maintenance and development of the course labs and are embedded within your general tuition.
Course Fees
The fees listed here are estimated and may change at any time. Please contact your advisor with any questions. The following courses have additional fees:
| Course | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| VET 102, VET 106, VET 108, VET 115, VET 116, VET 134, VET 172, VET 182, VET 205, VET 206, VET 223, VET 224, VET 225, VET 227, VET 232, VET 238, VET 239, VET 241, VET 242, VET 243, VET 250, VET 280 VET 281, VET 282 |
High-cost course fee | $7.21 (per credit hour) |
| VET 134 | Lab supplies & materials | $25.00 (flat) |
| VET 205 | Lab supplies & materials | $46.00 (flat) |
| VET 225 | Lab supplies & materials | $338.00 (flat) |
| VET 238 | Lab supplies & materials | $36.00 (flat) |
| VET 280, VET 281, VET 282 | Dosimetry Badge | $19.00 (flat) |
Online Course Fees
A separate fee is used to absorb the cost of any lab kits needed for lab-based online courses. This fee eliminates the need for students to purchase lab kits separately.
| Course | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| VET 102, VET 109, VET 120, VET 227 | High-cost course fee | $7.21 (per credit hour) |
Financial Aid Eligibility
This program is eligible for federal financial aid.
Your first step is to connect with the Financial Aid office to discover how you can afford college. Our dedicated staff and support services help you wade through all the legal language and get you past the first hurdle to completing your educational goals.
In addition, CCD has $1,000,000 available in scholarships. Apply at CCD.edu/Scholarships.
Stop by the financial aid office on the first floor of the Confluence Building for help with the federal financial aid application. Walk-in hours are offered every Wednesday from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. in the Confluence Building, room 118.
Internships & Service Learning Opportunities
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.
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
Job Outlook & Salary Information
What Can I Do with My Major?
CCD’s veterinary technician program will prepare you for immediate employment in work settings that include private veterinary clinics, zoos, research institutions, and state and federal agencies. Opportunities for employment as a veterinary assistant are excellent. Job availability now exceeds the number of graduates.
How Much Can I Expect to Earn?
The annual median pay for veterinary technologists was $33,400 in May 2017 ($16.06 hourly). The information provided here is by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Program Outcomes
Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) High Passing Rate
July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2019 |
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| Number of First-Time Candidates That Have Taken the VTNE | 60 |
| CCD 3-Year Pass Rate for First-Time Candidates | 81% |
| National Average 3-Year Pass Rate for First-Time Candidates | 70% |
Stackable
The veterinary technology assistant certificate seamlessly transfers to the veterinary technology A.A.S. degree.