Veterinary Technology
Health Sciences Pathway- at Lowry
CCD.edu/Vet-Tech
Veterinary Technology
Community College of Denver offers one of the most respected veterinary technology programs in the state. The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in veterinary technology prepares you to practice as a professional veterinary technician. The full-time or part-time curriculum is a blend of academic and clinical coursework that requires attention to detail, motivation and the ability to complete tasks within a specified time frame. You are encouraged to be self-directed in your learning and to establish high standards of professional and personal excellence. Successful completion of the prerequisite courses and the full veterinary technology curriculum results in an A.A.S. degree in veterinary technology.
Graduates are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination and have been able to rapidly find placement in the veterinary healthcare community. Veterinary technicians are paraprofessional members of a veterinary team, assisting a doctor of veterinary medicine. Veterinary technicians perform a variety of tasks, including preparing examination rooms and surgery suites, holding and restraining animals during the exam and/or treatment, collecting specimens, performing routine laboratory procedures, taking diagnostic X-rays, administering medication or treatments, assisting in surgery, performing office skills, maintaining inventory of supplies and assisting with client education.
Career opportunities for veterinary technicians are available in a variety of settings, including private veterinary practices, research laboratories, kennels, zoos, and local, state and federal agencies. These experiences can lead to other job opportunities such as sales, animal hospital administration, teaching in a veterinary technology program and animal advocacy.
PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
For admission requirements and application, visit CCD.edu/Vet-Tech.
PREREQUISITES
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 1111 | General College Biology I with Lab: GT-SC1 1 | 5 |
| MAT 1120 | Math for Clinical Calculations (or higher) | 3 |
| Choose One Composition Course | 3 | |
| English Composition I: GT-CO1 | ||
| Technical Writing I: GT-CO1 | ||
| Total Credits | 11 | |
2 Year Track Cohort plan
COURSE MAP
| First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| VET 1002 | Veterinary Medical Terminology | 1 |
| VET 1008 | Introduction to Laboratory Procedures | 3 |
| VET 1016 | Humane Treatment and Handling of Animals | 3 |
| VET 1020 | Office Procedures and Relations | 2 |
| VET 2005 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| Subtotal | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| VET 1206 | Exotic Animal Handling | 2 |
| VET 1015 | Surgical Nursing | 2 |
| VET 1072 | First Year Clinical Rotation | 1 |
| VET 1082 | Internship | 2 |
| VET 2023 | Introduction to Anesthesia | 1 |
| VET 2006 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| VET 2024 | Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| COM 1150 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| VET 1034 | Diagnostic Imaging | 2 |
| VET 2080 | Diagnostic Imagining Internship | 1 |
| VET 2043 | Veterinary Diagnostic Microbiology | 3 |
| Choose One Elective | 3 | |
| General Psychology I: GT-SS3 | ||
| Introduction to Sociology I: GT-SS3 | ||
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| VET 2025 | Anesthesiology | 3 |
| VET 2027 | Animal Nutrition | 2 |
| VET 1241 | Clinical Laboratory Procedures | 4 |
| VET 2081 | Internship II | 3 |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| VET 2032 | Veterinary Dentistry | 1 |
| VET 2038 | Small Animal Nursing | 2 |
| VET 2039 | Large Animal Nursing | 2 |
| VET 2042 | Veterinary Critical Care | 2 |
| VET 2050 | Clinical Competency Evaluation | 1 |
| VET 2082 | Internship III | 4 |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 64 | |
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS COMPLETED FOR THE DEGREE: 75 CREDIT HOURS
- 1
BIO 1111 is 5 credit hours at Community College of Denver, however a 4 credit hour transfer course in an equivalent biology course is allowed.
Pre-Requisites
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 1111 | General College Biology I with Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| Choose One English Course | 3 | |
| English Composition I: GT-CO1 | ||
| Technical Writing I: GT-CO1 | ||
| MAT 1120 | Math for Clinical Calculations (or higher) | 3 |
3 Year Track Cohort plan
Course Map
First Semester- Spring
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VET 1002 | Veterinary Medical Terminology | 1 |
| VET 1016 | Humane Treatment and Handling of Animals | 3 |
| VET 2005 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| *VET 1020 must be completed prior to moving into spring semester of the 2nd year. This course can be taken during fall or spring of the first year. | 2 | |
Second Semester- Summer
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VET 1008 | Introduction to Laboratory Procedures | 2 |
| COM 1150 | Public Speaking (can be taken any semester) | 3 |
| Choose One Elective Course | 3 | |
| General Psychology I: GT-SS3 | ||
| Introduction to Sociology I: GT-SS3 | ||
Third Semester- Fall
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VET 2006 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| VET 1072 | First Year Clinical Rotation | 1 |
| VET 1082 | Internship | 2 |
| *VET 1020 must be completed prior to moving into spring semester of the 2nd year. This course can be taken during fall or spring of the first year. | ||
Fourth Semester- Spring
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VET 2024 | Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians | 3 |
| VET 1206 | Exotic Animal Handling | 2 |
| VET 1015 | Surgical Nursing | 2 |
Fifth Semester- Summer
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VET 2043 | Veterinary Diagnostic Microbiology | 3 |
| VET 2080 | Diagnostic Imagining Internship | 1 |
| VET 1034 | Diagnostic Imaging | 2 |
Sixth Semester- Fall
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VET 2027 | Animal Nutrition | 2 |
| VET 1241 | Clinical Laboratory Procedures | 4 |
| VET 2023 | Introduction to Anesthesia | 1 |
| VET 2081 | Internship II | 3 |
Seventh Semester- Spring
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VET 2082 | Internship III | 4 |
| VET 2025 | Anesthesiology | 3 |
| VET 2032 | Veterinary Dentistry | 1 |
Eight Semester- Summer
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VET 1034 | Diagnostic Imaging | 2 |
| VET 2080 | Diagnostic Imagining Internship | 1 |
| VET 2043 | Veterinary Diagnostic Microbiology | 3 |
Ninth Semester- Fall
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VET 2042 | Veterinary Critical Care | 1 |
| VET 2038 | Small Animal Nursing | 2 |
| VET 2039 | Large Animal Nursing | 2 |
| VET 2050 | Clinical Competency Evaluation | 1 |
Total credit hours completed for the degree: 73-74
Veterinary Technology Apprenticeship Track
The apprenticeship program is a collaboration between the college, employer, and the US department of Labor. In addition to an AAS degree and Veterinary Technician National Exam eligibility, all program completers receive a nationally recognized certificate from the US Department of Labor. The program begins in the fall semester and runs continuously for five semesters, including two Winterim terms and one Maymester term for 21 months of continual study. Traditional college breaks do not occur with the apprenticeship program and time off follows the policy of each individual employer.
Pre-requisites:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 1111 | General College Biology I with Lab: GT-SC1 | 4 |
| Choose One English Course | 3 | |
| English Composition I: GT-CO1 | ||
| Technical Writing I: GT-CO1 | ||
| MAT 1120 | Math for Clinical Calculations | 3 |
Or higher | ||
| First Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester (Fall): | ||
| VET 1002 | Veterinary Medical Terminology | 1 |
| VET 1016 | Humane Treatment and Handling of Animals | 3 |
| VET 1008 | Introduction to Laboratory Procedures | 3 |
| VET 2005 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| Winterim Term #1: | ||
| VET 1020 | Office Procedures and Relations | 2 |
| Second Semester (Spring): | ||
| VET 1015 | Surgical Nursing | 2 |
| VET 2024 | Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians | 3 |
| VET 2006 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| VET 1072 | First Year Clinical Rotation | 1 |
| VET 1082 | Internship | 2 |
| Maymester Term: | ||
| VET 1034 | Diagnostic Imaging | 2 |
| VET 2080 | Diagnostic Imagining Internship | 1 |
| Subtotal | 28 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Third Semester (Summer): | ||
| VET 2027 | Animal Nutrition | 2 |
| VET 2081 | Internship II | 3 |
| VET 2023 | Introduction to Anesthesia | 1 |
| COM 1150 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| PSY 1001 | General Psychology I: GT-SS3 1 | 3 |
| Fourth Semester (Fall): | ||
| VET 2025 | Anesthesiology | 3 |
| VET 1206 | Exotic Animal Handling | 2 |
| VET 1241 | Clinical Laboratory Procedures | 4 |
| VET 2043 | Veterinary Diagnostic Microbiology | 3 |
| Winterim Term #2: | ||
| VET 2032 | Veterinary Dentistry | 1 |
| Fifth Semester (Spring): | ||
| VET 2038 | Small Animal Nursing | 2 |
| VET 2039 | Large Animal Nursing | 2 |
| VET 2042 | Veterinary Critical Care | 2 |
| VET 2050 | Clinical Competency Evaluation | 1 |
| VET 2082 | Internship III | 4 |
| Subtotal | 36 | |
| Total Credits | 64 | |
- 1
Choice of PSY 1001 General Psychology or SOC 1001 Introduction to Sociology.
Total Credit Hours Completed For the Degree: 74-75 Credits
Health Sciences Pathway- at Lowry
CCD.edu/Vet-Tech
Veterinary Technology Assistant
The veterinary technology certificate is ideal for those seeking an introduction to veterinary medicine with a limited investment of time and money. The one-semester certificate program is a blend of academic and clinical coursework. As a veterinary technician assistant, you will support veterinary technicians and veterinarians. Veterinary technician assistants perform a variety of tasks, including preparing examination rooms and surgery suites, holding and restraining animals during the exam and/or treatment, collecting specimens, performing routine laboratory procedures, taking diagnostic X-rays, administering medication or treatments, assisting in surgery, performing office skills, maintaining inventory of supplies and assisting with client education.
Career opportunities for veterinary technician assistants are available in a variety of settings, including private veterinary practices, research laboratories, kennels, zoos, and local, state and federal agencies. These experiences can lead to other job opportunities such as sales, animal hospital administration.
PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
For admission requirements and application, visit CCD.edu/Vet-Tech.
All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to graduation.
COURSE MAP
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VET 1002 | Veterinary Medical Terminology | 1 |
| VET 1020 | Office Procedures and Relations | 2 |
| VET 1009 | Applied Comprehension Animal Behavior | 3 |
| VET 1003 | Veterinary Assistant Restraint and Handling | 2 |
| VET 1004 | Assistant Large Animal Nursing | 1 |
| VET 1017 | Veterinary Assistant Surgery and Nursing Care | 2 |
| VET 1014 | Vet Assist Lab & Clinical Procedures | 3 |
| VET 1083 | Internship | 2 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
