Program Description

The Veterinary Technology is a five-semester, two-year Associate in Science degree program requiring a total of 73 credit hours. Students will spend approximately 400 hours in clinical settings.

Attendance is full-time, and the program averages up to 40 hours per week. Since the program is designated to prepare students for the profession of Veterinary Technology rather than simply for a job, students should expect to attend conferences and seminars that are offered on occasional evenings and weekends. As a result of scheduling, requirements, it may become necessary to have occasional evening or weekend courses.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the program is to provide the stimulation, encouragement, and counseling conductive to an excellent learning environment for a progressive education in Veterinary Technology. The Veterinary Technology Program seeks to develop graduates who will:

• understand the basic principles of Veterinary Technology and its disciplines;

• function in entry-level Certified Veterinary Technician positions;

• recognize the importance of the human-animal bond in the provision of veterinary health care;

• exceed the expectations of both employers and the public with regards to the level of care provided to their patients;

• recognize the need for continued learning in order to adapt to changes and challenges within the profession of Veterinary Technology; and

• achieve a passing score on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).

Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Program in Veterinary Technology, you must meet the following criteria:

• You hold, or will hold at the time of enrollment in the Veterinary Technology Program, a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (GED).

• You have applied to and been fully accepted by Miami Dade College. (For application information, see the Miami Dade College Catalog, available from admissions and registration offices on any campus or apply online).

• You have completed, with a C grade or better, the following prerequisite courses:
  ENC 1101 English Composition
  BSC 1005 General Education Biology
  BSC 1005L General Education Biology Lab
  *PHI 2604 Critical Thinking/Ethics
  *CLP 1006 Psychology & Personal Effectiveness
  *SPC 1026 Fundamentals of Speech Communications
  *Preference is given to students who have completed all general education requirements for the A.S. degree.

• You have earned a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0 (3.0 preferred) on a scale of 4.0.

• You have successfully completed, as a condition for final acceptance, a physical examination, which includes having the required immunizations and completing the Hepatitis B vaccine or waiver.

• You have satisfied the College Computer Competency requirements.

ADA Standards


A student in Veterinary Technology courses must be able to…

• assist in lifting, transferring, and positioning patients

• communicate in clear and concise English

• read, understand and follow instructions accurately

• stand and walk for extended periods of time (several hours)

• and employ body mechanics to bend, stretch, reach, stoop, kneel and twist in the performance of duties.

Curriculum

AUGUST ENTRY ONLY

Deadline for application to be admitted the following Fall Term is May 1 st.

Pre-Requisites for acceptance into program:

THE VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM

Students are admitted to the program in August of each year. Course content is sequential, and students must enroll in all courses in the order and during the terms indicated in the following curriculum outline.

Approximate Costs

As of August 2006, the cost of tuition was $68.94 per credit for in-state students and $228.76 per credit for out-of-state students. Here are estimates for total tuition, based on 73 credits at these per-credit rates. In-state students: $5,033.00, out-of state students: $16,700.00.Tuition is due at the beginning of each term and can be determined by multiplying the number of credits by the cost per credit hour. Additionally, over the course of the program, students should expect to pay $600.00 in fees (application, lab, liability and accidental health insurance), as well as $625.00 for textbooks and $100.00 for uniforms.

Accreditation

Accreditation is granted by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) and requires that the program have graduates who are certified and working in the field. The program was granted provisional accreditation in February 2003.

Licensure

Licensure is not required to practice as a Veterinary Technician in the State of Florida but all graduates are encouraged to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) with the Florida Veterinary Technician Association or with the Florida Veterinary Medical Association and the Florida Practical Exam (FPE) with the FVMA. Upon successful completion of these exams the graduate will be granted certification valid for two years.  This certification will be maintained by completing the required continuing education credits (15 credits).


Important Phone Numbers

New Student Center		305-237-4141
Advisement Services		305-237-4238
Financial Aid		305-237-4160
Student Life		305-237-4213
Testing Services		305-237-4275

Faculty and Staff

	Lois Sargent, DVM Program Coordinator Phone: 305-237-4151 Email: Lois.Sargent@mdc.edu
	Karen Moss Director - Clinical Education Phone: 305-237-4473 Email: Karen.moss@mdc.edu
	Gwen Gilbert Secretary Phone: 305-237-4300 Email: gwendolyn.gilbert@mdc.edu
	Lydia Español-Olmeda Lab Manager Phone: 305-237-4063 Email: Lydia.espanololmedo@mdc.edu

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When is the application deadline for the program?
A. The deadline is May 1st for the class that will begin fall term.

Q. How many students are selected for the program?
A. Each class will consist of 25 students.

Q. Can I apply if I have not completed all of the pre-requisite courses?
A. You can apply to the program before completing the pre-requisite courses but only students who have completed or will have completed the pre- requisite courses by the end of summer semester will be considered for the fall class.

Q. What should I do if I am not accepted into the program?
A. Your application will be retained in the program application pool as long as you return the form that was sent to you along with the letter indicating your program status. You should also contact a Medical Center Campus advisor to review your transcripts. Since this program has a limited enrollment, your final grades in the pre-requisite courses are extremely important.

Q. What are the hours of the program?
A. This program requires that you attend classes throughout the day and perhaps the early evening. Clinical courses are in the morning the first semester and extend to the afternoon in the following semesters.

Q. Can I complete this program on a part-time basis?
A. It is discouraged because the courses are offered only once a year. The majority of the courses require prerequistes from the previous semester. There are a few courses that there are no prerequistes required.

Q. Can I work while I am a student in the program?
A. Employment is not encouraged but you should be able to work about 15- 20 hours per week without jeopardizing your course grades. Students must earn at least a final grade of a “C” or better to continue in the program.

Q. Do you assist with job placement after graduation?
A. The Medical Center Campus does assist graduates with job placement if positions are forwarded to the program.

Q. Do I need to take a test after graduation?
A. The students are encouraged to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam and the Florida Practical Exam after graduation. This allows them to apply for certification.

Q. How much is an annual salary for graduates of this program in this area?
A. In this area, entry-level graduates may expect to earn an annual salary of $24,000-30,000 if employed full-time in a hospital setting. This does not include a benefits or overtime.

 Visit the Medical Center Campus on the Web at www.mdc.edu/medical/
Note:  You have to be connected to the Internet to access this web site
 

The mission of the Medical Center Campus is to provide students with affordable, accessible, quality education in health care careers. Faculty and staff strive to respond to the changing needs of students, health care providers, and health care consumers in the community at large through collaboration with health care and business communities. The Campus provides an environment that is conducive to learning by recognizing and responding to the diverse learning styles, cultures, and resources of its students.