skip navigation 1-800-4-ALFRED (425-3733)

Veterinary Technology

Print PDF

AAS Degree - Code #0521

Andrea Williamson, DVM, Program Co-Coordinator
Email address: williaal@alfredstate.edu

Licensed veterinary technicians are indispensable members of the veterinary medical team, capable of providing everything from life support and surgical assistance to physical therapy and nutritional management. Our program is designed to provide you with extensive training in the theory and principles, reinforced with the hands-on technical, animal, and laboratory experience needed to prepare you for this exciting field.

Advantages

  • This program has full accreditation status as granted by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities, Education and Research Division, [1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360; 847-925-8070].
  • Students are eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), the state licensing exam for veterinary technicians. Demand for licensed veterinary technicians is strong across the country.

Veterinary Technician National Exam Performance

VTNE Accreditation Test                                 

July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023

Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE

60

Three year VTNE pass percentage

81.67

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of anatomy and physiology of domestic, laboratory, and exotic animal species encountered in veterinary medicine.
  • Successfully perform animal care and husbandry, restraint, imaging, surgical, anesthetic and laboratory specimen analyses commonly encountered in veterinary clinical practice.
  • Demonstrate written and oral communication skills appropriate for animal health care professionals.
  • Critically think and reason when calculating and administering therapeutic agents used in veterinary medicine.
  • Follow and uphold applicable laws and the veterinary technology profession's ethical codes to provide high-quality patient care.
  • Troubleshoot and safely utilize all instruments and equipment commonly utilized in veterinary clinical practice.
  • Display the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam.

Direct Entry Into Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Alfred State veterinary technology graduates may enter directly into the interdisciplinary studies BTech, the technology management BBA, or the healthcare management BTech degree program.

Expenses

Rabies vaccinations are required for all veterinary technology students.  Textbooks are the primary annual expense, with the cost averaging $1,000 to $1,200 each year.

Continuing Education Opportunities

The Alfred State veterinary technology program has an established transfer agreement with Cornell University's College of Agriculture. Students have also successfully transferred into the Purdue University BS veterinary technology program.

Occupational Opportunities

  • Veterinary hospitals (small animal, large animal, mixed animal, and exotic animal)
  • Biomedical research institutions
  • Zoological parks
  • Educational institutions
  • Specialized dairy calf or cow management
  • Colleges of Veterinary Medicine

Employment Statistics

Employment and continuing education rate of 100 percent – 95percent are employed; 5 percent continued their education.

Related Programs

Entrance Requirements/recommendations

Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, Biology, Chemistry 

Recommended: Physics

Certification Or Licensure

The veterinary technology program at Alfred State is a two-year educational course of study leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree and students are eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technology National Exam (VTNE). The VTNE is the New York State licensing exam for veterinary technicians. The demand for graduate-licensed or license-eligible veterinary technicians is strong across the country.

Required Course Prerequisites

If students do not place into MATH 1033, College Algebra, then MATH 1014, Algebra Concepts, is a required prerequisite for completion of the major.

Office of Accessibility Services

Students who believe they need a reasonable accommodation to properly participate in this program may contact Melanie Ryan in the Office of Accessibility Services. This office may be contacted by email at oas@alfredstate.edu  or by phone at 607-587-4506. Please keep in mind that some accommodations may take time to implement, so students seeking accommodations are encouraged to contact OAS as early as possible.

Veterinary Technology - AAS Degree

TYPICAL FOUR-SEMESTER PROGRAM

First

VETS 1203 Intro to Veterinary Technology 3
VETS 1214 Anatmy & Physlgy of Animals I 4
CHEM 1114 General Chemistry I 4
    OR 4
ANSC 1204 Introduction to Animal Science 4
MATH xxxx Quantitative Reasoning, College Algebra, or Higher
GLST 2113 Global & Diverse Perspectives 3

 

 

 

17

Second

VETS 2014 Anatmy & Physlgy of Animals II 4
VETS 3013 Animal Parasitology 3
VETS 3003 Animal Health Care 3
VETS 3204 Farm Animal Management 4
    OR  4
CHEM 1114 General Chemistry I 4
COMP 1503 Writing Studies 3

 

 

 

17

Third

VETS 3023 Radiography 3
VETS 4103 Laboratory Animal and Exotics 3
BIOL 5254 Principles of Microbiology 4
VETS 3103 Patho & Pharm of An. Disease I 3
VETS 3022 Anesthesia & Surgical Nsg I 2
VETS 3301 Veterinary Technology Precept. 1

 

 

  16

Fourth

VETS 3004 Anesthesia & Surgical Nursing 4
VETS 3024 Clinical Laboratory Techniques 4
VETS 4403 Veterinary Practice Essentials 3
VETS 4203 Patho & Pharm of An. Disease 2 3
      14

Technical Electives

CHEM 2124 General Chemistry II 4
BIOL 6534 Genetics 4
ANSC 3223 Dairy Calf Management 3
ANSC 3203 Dairy Cattle Production I 3
ANSC 3204 Dairy Cattle Production III 4
ANSC 2102 Dairy Cattle Reprod & A.I Tech 2
ANSC 3003 Feeds and Nutrition 3
ANSC 3103 Livestock Mgmt & Production 3
BIOL 1104 General Biology I 4
BIOL 2204 General Biology II 4
MATH 1054 Precalculus 4
MATH 1084 Calculus I 4
MATH 1123 Statistics I 3
VETS 3022 Anesthesia & Surgical Nsg I 2
VETS 4202 Small Animal Nutrition 2

Preceptorship* of 240 hours, either during summer or semester break after successful completion of second semester course requirements. Preceptorship hours can be fulfilled through part-time employment at an appropriate facility.

In order to progress in the veterinary technology program, students must earn a “C” or better in each required veterinary technology course, with the exception of VETS 1214 Animal Anatomy and Physiology I, which requires a minimum of a "D” to pass the course. Students receiving an "F" in two or more required courses will be required to change majors.

ASOP students must earn a "C" or better in the Introduction to Veterinary Technology course and the Domestic Animal Anatomy and Physiology course in order to progress to the next level of core veterinary courses.

Be advised that a prior felony conviction may impede a student's ability to participate in an internship.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS*

Students must:

  • Successfully complete the prescribed sequence of courses.
  • Achieve a minimum of 2.0 in their core courses and a minimum of 2.0 overall.
  • Be recommended by the department faculty.
  • Complete the 240-hour preceptorship.

*The 240-hour preceptorship is a program requirement and a graduation requirement.

The Admissions and Performance Standards discussed in the following paragraphs define performance expectations that must be met for successful completion of the veterinary technology program at Alfred State. It is the policy of Alfred State to provide reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need an accommodation due to a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Student Success Center office at 607-587-4122. Some accommodations may require up to six weeks to prepare. For progression in the veterinary technology program, students are expected to meet the following performance standards:

 

 

Some Examples of Necessary Activities (not all-inclusive)
Critical Thinking Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment. Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations. Develop nursing care plans. Demonstrate problem-solving skills. Adapt to stressful situations.
Interpersonal Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with patients, clients, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.  Establish rapport with patients/clients and colleagues. Recognize appropriate boundaries in relationships with patients/clients and colleagues.
Communication Communication abilities for interaction with others orally and in writing. Explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, document and interpret nursing actions and patient/client responses. Team-building skills.
Mobility Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room, maneuver in small spaces, and provide assistance to patients.

 

Move around in patient and treatment areas. Administer CPR. Provide physical assistance to clients and colleagues to ensure safety within the environment. Ability to prevent or escape injury caused by animals (e.g., biting, kicking, stampeding)
Motor Skills Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe, effective nursing care in a timely manner. Use of instruments, supplies, safety devices, and communication equipment in the care of patients. Performance of nursing care, surgical assistance, and laboratory techniques.
Hearing Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. Auditory ability sufficient to hear ausculatory sounds, monitor alarms, and monitor and assess health emergency signals and cries for help. Hear needs/warning sounds from animals and humans of impending danger/injury.
Visual Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care.

 

Observe patients for expected and unexpected physical and emotional responses to nursing and medical treatment regimens. Use of diagnostic equipment such as a microscope, thermometer, refractometer, etc.
Tactile Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and performance of nursing duties in a timely manner.

 

Perform palpation functions of physical exam. Administer oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous medications. Insert and remove tubes and perform wound care management. Surgical assistance.
Physical Condition Physical ability and stamina sufficient to restrain, lift, and assist in the care of a variety of species of animals. Ability to stand for extended periods of time. Ability to withstand extreme weather conditions. Immune system competence. Safely lift, position, and restrain animals and supplies for treatment. Surgical assistance. Daily clinical routine. Year-round treatment and care of outdoor animals. Exposure to a wide range of chemical and biological agents.