Veterinary Technology

Faculty

Science & Technology

Department

Credits

65.00

Length of Program

Four semesters

Credential Type

Diploma

Campus

Coquitlam

Learning Format

Full-time

Offered

Fall

Overview

This two-year career diploma program will prepare you to become a valuable member of the veterinary medical profession. You will be well versed in many fields of animal health care, animal management and laboratory procedures. The curriculum includes both theoretical and practical aspects of providing small and large animal nursing, assisting veterinarians and performing laboratory, radiology and anesthesia procedures. Graduation from this CVBC, CCAC- and CVMA-accredited program enables you to write the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and thus qualify for registration in Canada and in many parts of the United States as a Registered Veterinary Technologist.

NOTE:

International students are not currently eligible for this program. For more international information, contact Douglas College International.

Program Requirements

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of 65 credits
25% (17 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
A minimum grade of "C" is required in all courses
A minimum program GPA of 2.0 is required

Course Requirements:

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
Semester I
VTEC 1101	Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 1	3.00
VTEC 1102	Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 1	3.00
VTEC 1103	Veterinary Nursing 1	3.00
VTEC 1112	Veterinary Administrative Procedures	3.00
CMNS 1111	Workplace Communications for Veterinary Technology	3.00
MATH 1183	Mathematics for Veterinary Technology	2.00
Semester I Total Credits		17.00
Semester II
VTEC 1201	Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 2	3.00
VTEC 1202	Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 2	4.00
VTEC 1203	Veterinary Nursing 2	3.00
VTEC 1204	Veterinary Pharmacology	3.00
VTEC 1205	Veterinary Diseases	3.00
Semester II Total Credits		16.00
Semester III
VTEC 2106	Veterinary Dentistry	2.00
VTEC 2107	Large Animal Clinics	3.00
VTEC 2108	Veterinary Anesthesia	3.00
VTEC 2109	Veterinary Radiography	3.00
VTEC 2110	Animal Behavior and Welfare	2.00
VTEC 2111	Animal Nutrition	3.00
Semester III Total Credits		16.00
Semester IV
VTEC 2303	Veterinary Nursing 3	4.00
VTEC 2304	Veterinary Surgical Assistance	4.00
VTEC 2305	Veterinary Genetics and Reproduction	3.00
VTEC 2307	Lab Animal and Exotics Clinics	3.00
VTEC 2309	Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging	2.00
Semester IV Total Credits		16.00
Total Program Credits		65.00

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

General College Admission Requirements
Graduation from BC Secondary School (or equivalent) or mature student status
Government regulations and program policy require students to be a minimum age of 18 years by December 31 of year of program start
Completion of the following courses (or equivalents) by the application deadline (exception for secondary school students). Official transcripts required (photocopies or electronic copies are not accepted):

Chemistry 11 with a minimum of C+ (Chemistry 12 with a minimum of C+ fulfills this requirement)
Biology 11 with a minimum of C+ (Biology 12 with a minimum of C+ fulfils this requirement)
One grade 12 Science course with a minimum of C+ (Chemistry 12, Biology 12, Geology 12, Physics 12)
Foundations of Math 11, Pre-Calculus 11 or Pre-calculus 12 with a minimum of C

After official transcripts have been reviewed by the registrar's office determining that you have met the program academic prerequisites, the following additional program documents are required:

A short VTEC Entrance Questionnaire - (to be submitted in your own handwriting).
A Task Observation Form (this will detail your minimum 80 hours of veterinary experience).
Structured Reference Letters (2)

All of the above documentation must be received by the program application deadline date. It is then reviewed and ranked. Applicants may be invited for an interview.

Cost

You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page.

Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.

Career Pathways

Graduates are prepared to find positions in veterinary clinics/hospitals (small and large animal, referral, emergency), research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, private industry, zoos, aquaria, wildlife parks, animal shelters and rescue organizations.

Veterinary Technician National Examination

Upon graduation, students must write and pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) provided by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. Because of the support of champions for animal care and education, all graduates of the Douglas VTEC program will be eligible for the Kristianson Veterinary Technology National Exam Bursary to cover the cost of the exam.

Karen and John Kristianson believe that education has the power to transform lives and is a gateway to moral progress. Established in 2014, this bursary is available to all graduating students in the Veterinary Technology program as a catalyst in launching VTEC graduates’ careers as Registered Veterinary Technologists.

In addition to the VTNE bursary available for all graduates, the Kristianson Veterinary Technology Award is awarded to two (2) graduating students who have managed and overcome personal, social or economic hardship while earning their VTEC diploma. This award serves to launch the careers of resilient learners who are role models in their school, work and home communities.

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

September 2019 (Current)

September 2017

September 2016

September 2014