Veterinary Technology

Application Code:
0521
Degree Received:
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department:
Agriculture and Horticulture

Description:

The veterinary technology program is designed to provide students extensive core information in the theory and principles of veterinary science. The core information is then reinforced with all the hands-on technical, animal, and laboratory experiences needed to prepare them to become licensed veterinary technicians. Licensed veterinary technicians are indispensable members of the veterinary medical team who are compassionate and highly motivated professionals dedicated to animal health care. The veterinary technician is capable of providing nursing care, life support, laboratory specimen analysis, physical therapy, surgical assistance, anesthesia, dental hygiene, radiographic imaging, and nutritional management for their animal patients. The veterinary technician is also adept at client education and grief management counseling.

Veterinary technology is housed on the third floor of the Agriculture Science Building, where the Anatomy Laboratory, Laboratory Animal and Anatomy/Necropsy Wet Laboratory, Surgical Nursing/Anesthesia/Radiology Complex, Clinical Laboratory Techniques laboratory, and faculty offices are located. Large animal laboratories are conducted on site at the Alfred State College Farm Laboratory. Small animals are housed in the Agriculture Science Building vivarium and kennels.

An average week consists of 24-36 hours spent in the classroom and/or laboratories. Veterinary technology blends hands-on techniques with lecture-based course materials, with a hands-on emphasis. Students are assigned an adviser from within the program to assist with career and academic planning.

Veterinary technology students are encouraged to become members of the Student Chapter of the NYSAVT (New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians), and NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America).

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations:

  • Required: Math A & B (algebra, geometry, and trigonometry), Biology, Chemistry
  • Recommended: Physics

Accreditation/Certification:

The veterinary technology program at Alfred State College is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activites, Education and Research Division, 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360; 847-925-8070.

The veterinary technology program at Alfred State College is a two-year educational course leading to an associate in applied science degree and eligibility for licensing as a veterinary technician. The demand for graduate-licensed or license-eligible veterinary technicians is ever increasing across the country. Alfred State College graduates currently have a 99% pass rate on the NYS Technician Licensing Exam.

Features & Facilities:

  • Designed to offer students extensive hands-on experience which reinforces classroom theory and principles
  • Built on AVMA standards
  • Anatomy laboratory
  • Animal and anatomy/necropsy wet lab
  • Surgical nursing-anesthesia/radiology complex
  • Clinical laboratory techniques
  • Alfred State College farm facility

Graduation Requirements:

  • successfully complete the prescribed sequence of courses
  • achieve a minimum of 2.0 in their core courses
  • achieve a minimum of 2.0 overall
  • be recommended by the department faculty

Transfer Opportunities:

Alfred State's veterinary technology program has established transfer agreements with Cornell University and Purdue University and is working to establish an agreement with Alfred University.

Career Opportunities:

  • Veterinary Hospitals
  • Biomedical Research Institutions
  • Zoological Parks
  • Educational Institutions
  • Specialized dairy calf or cow management

Typical Semester Layout:

An average week consists of 24-36 hours spent in the classroom and/or laboratories. Veterinary technology blends hands-on techniques with lecture-based course materials, with a hands-on emphasis. Students will be assigned an adviser from within the program to assist with career and academic planning.

First Semester credits
VETS 1203 Intro to Vet Technology 3
MATH 1323 Quantitative Reasoning * OR  
MATH 1033 College Algebra 3
ANSC 1214 A&P Large Animal 4
CHEM 1114 General Chemistry I OR  
VETS 3204 Farm Animal Management OR  
COMP 1503 Freshman Composition 3-4
      17-18
Second Semester credits
  xxxx Gen Education Elective 3
COMP 1503 Freshman Composition OR  
VETS 3204 Farm Animal Management 3-4
VETS 2014 A&P Small Animal 4
VETS 2013 Pathophys of Animal Dis 3
VETS 3013 Animal Parasitology 3
      16-17
Summer Sessioncredits
VETS 3113 Preceptorship Work Experience 3

Third Semester credits
BUAD 3153 Fundamentals of Management 3
VETS 4103 Lab Animal Management 3
VETS 3012 Radiography 2
BIOL 5254 Microbiology 4
VETS 3002 Animal Health Care 2
ANSC 3013 Animal Disease Control 3
      17
Fourth Semester credits
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
VETS 3004 Anesthesia & Surgical Nursing 4
VETS 3024 Clinical Lab Techniques 4
  xxxx Technical Elective 2-3
  xxx3 Elective 3
      16-17

* Students planning to transfer to four-year program must take MATH 1033.
** Students planning to transfer to four-year program must take CHEM 1984.

Suggested Technical Electives

Histotechniques, Dairy Cattle Reproduction and AI, Biology, Genetics, Small Animal Nutrition, Chemistry, Dairy Calf Management, Dairy Cattle Production, Math

Also required

  • One unit of Physical Education
  • Preceptorship of 120 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.
Employment and Transfer Report
Employment and Transfer Rate:
84%
Survey Details200420052006
Receiving Degrees 33 32 33
Responding to Survey 31 (94%) 25 (78%) 30 (91%)
Employed 21 (68%) 15 (60%) 22 (74%)
Employed in Field 15 (71%) 11 (73%) 22 (100%)
Transfered 8 (26%) 10 (40%) 3 (10%)
Unemployed & Seeking Employment 2 (6%) -- 4 (13%)
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment -- -- 1 (3%)
Salary Information
NACE Annual Average Salary Survey Data
(2003-04 survey for associate degree program;
2006-07 for baccalaureate degree program)
N/A
DOL Annual Mean Salary
(2006 survey for those employed in this career path)
$27,800