What is Veterinary Technology?
Turn your love of animals into a lucrative career, without breaking your budget at OCTC's Veterinary Technology program. The Vet Tech program will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to work as a professional veterinary technician in as little as two years. Areas of study include office and hospital procedures, client relations and communications, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, clinical techniques, pharmacology, anesthesiology, surgical and medical nursing, radiology and clinical pathology training. The Vet Tech program,will provide you with valuable real world clinical and lab experiences to develop the skills needed to become a valued professional in the field.
What are my career choices?
The Veterinary Technology field is experiencing tremendous growth. Pets are considered part of the family, and the demand for veterinary care has increased. There are career opportunities in teaching, pharmaceuticals, biomedical research, private practice, humane societies, diagnostic labs, zoo/wildlife medicine, and veterinary supply sales.
Please, also feel free to explore information on Veterinary Technology Specialties provided by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).
What are my degree, diploma, or certificate options?
Associate in Applied Science Degree and Transfer
- Veterinary Technology - AAS (70 credit hours)
Advisors: Please, visit SharePoint for the current MS Excel Academic Plan.
Additional Information
Program Enrollment
Program enrollment is limited due to facility constraints and admission is not guaranteed. Interested applicants should contact the program faculty early to allow time for completion of all required forms. Students who complete the program will be awarded the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology and are eligible to sit for the national/state exams to obtain licensure.
The Veterinary Technology program is accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA)
Admission Guide
WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY:
✓ Current student at OCTC or current application for admission on file
✓ Official transcripts on file at OCTC Office of the Registrar
✓ Attend one online or in-person Pre-Admission Information
Session
✓ Complete Veterinary Technology program application
form
✓ ACT Composite score 18+
✓ Complete TEAS Assessment and submit official score
along with application.
✓ Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7
✓ Complete a minimum of 16 Clinical Experience Hours
under the supervision of a Licensed Veterinary
Technician.
✓ Applicants receiving a ‘C’ or better in the following courses
will receive additional consideration:
o MAT 150- College Algebra
o BIO 112/113- Intro to Biology/Lab
o AHS 120- Medical Terminology
✓ Complete all required medical forms and screenings prior to summer orientation including rabies prophylaxis.
Please email Laura.Boarman@kctcs.edu to be notified about the pre-admission information sessions.
Spring 2023 Vet Tech
Pre-admission conferences
Wednesday, January 25
Thursday, March 2
Monday, April 3
These sessions will be held via Teams, linked above, at 4 p.m. CST.
HELPFUL ADMISSION RESOURCES FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS:
Veterinary Technology Program applicants must submit a letter of recommendation along with their application. Letters should be written by someone who knows the student on a professional level. Family and close friends should be excluded.
Applicants will be ranked for admission based on an objective point system. Points
will be awarded using the following method:
Admission Requirement
Total Points Possible
Applicants Points
Cumulative GPA (x 10) 40
Composite ACT Score 36
Note: ‘0’ points will be awarded for GPA and ACT that do not meet program requirements.
Total grade points for recommended preprogram courses 60
Note: Total grade points for recommended preprogram courses: MAT 150, BIO 112, BIO 113, AHS 120, based on final grade.
Maximum points possible = 60
A= 15 pts, B= 10 pts, C= 5 pts, D= 0pts
40+ Clinical Experience Hours 20
A minimum of 16 clinical experience hours is required for admissions. Additional points will be awarded for more than 40 hours.
Points will be awarded as follows: 40 hrs = 10pts, 80 hrs = 15pts, 100+ hrs = 20pts.
Personal Statement 20
Each question in the Personal Statement section of the application will be scored 1-5 based on criteria including: professionalism, articulation, knowledge of the profession, grammar.
Total Points: 176
ADMISSION PROCEDURE:
The Owensboro Community and Technical College Associate Degree Veterinary Technology Program is a selective admissions program. Space is limited.
- The Veterinary Technology Admissions Committee reviews the list of applicants, who are objectively ranked by points.
- The Admissions Committee determines the number of applicants who will be admitted. This number is predetermined based on guidelines set forth by the Program’s Accrediting Body (CVTEA) and may be subject to change.
- Applicants, who have not been previously admitted to the Program, with the highest
total points are offered seats.
- Students seeking readmission are considered not only by point ranking but also by faculty recommendation and readmission application. <<<LINK Coming soon!
- Other Qualified applicants who are not accepted for admission are placed on a waiting list (may not apply to students seeking readmission). Applicants on the waiting list may be admitted if space becomes available.
PRIOR TO SUMMER ORIENTATION
- Submit completed, official high school transcripts (if graduating high school student).
- Complete all required background checks, drug screens, health physical, and immunization through third party vendor: CastleBranch. <<<LINK Coming soon!
Rabies Mitigation Policy
OCTC's Veterinary Technology program requires that all student must receive the pre-exposure rabies vaccine.
NOTICE OF REQUIREMENT FOR RABIES VACCINATION
Congratulations on your acceptance into the Veterinary Technology Program at Owensboro Community and Technical College. We are looking forward to having you as a student. One of the requirements of this program is to show proof of vaccination status against rabies.
Why is it required? Of all the communicable diseases to which a veterinary medical professional may be exposed, the contraction of rabies, while unlikely, can be lethal. Therefore, the Owensboro Community & Technical College Veterinary Technology Program requires that all students be vaccinated against this disease. This requirement is consistent with the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines for persons in this field.
How do I obtain the vaccine? The rabies vaccination can be costly; therefore, we suggest following the options below:
Option A: GRDHD Vaccination Clinic
Indicate, by signing the below waiver, if you wish to receive the rabies prophylaxis vaccine on campus through the Green River District Health Department (GRDHD). A licensed professional from GRDHD will be on-site the first day of classes to administer the first and second dose of a 2-dose series. The current cost for the full series is $672. Information regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccine are attached.
Once you have completed the series of vaccines, upload documentation within your Castle Branch account.
Option B: Student may secure vaccine on their own.
Contact your family doctor and ask for a prescription for the pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis. You can get your vaccine at any facility decided by you and your doctor.
Once you have completed the series of vaccines, upload documentation within your Castle Branch account.
How do I know if my insurance will reimburse for the cost of this vaccine?
Contact your insurance provider and state “I am a student in a veterinary nursing program that requires the rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis series. Does my insurance plan cover this rabies vaccination?”
1. If the provider tells you that your plan does not cover the rabies vaccine, ask where you can send a letter for consideration of coverage. (This letter is attached)
How much time to I have? Your rabies vaccination series must be complete by the start of your Vet Tech courses, to continue in the program.
After reviewing your options, please indicate how you will obtain your vaccine below. Sign and submit this form to Dr. Laura Boarman (laura.boarman@kctcs.edu) by this year’s Orientation.
□ I will get my rabies vaccination through my personal insurance and physician.
□ I will get my vaccination through GRDHD.
Student’s Name (printed): ___________________________________________________
Student’s Signature ________________________________
Date ____________________________
Length of Program
You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
Please, note that this degree does not contain the prerequisite coursework necessary to apply to veterinary school.
Course Sequence: Total Credit Hours = 70
| Fall Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course | Credit Hours |
| ENG 101 - Composition I |
3 |
| AGR 240 - Intro to Animal Science | 3 |
| BIO 112/113 - Intro to Biology & Lab | 4 |
| VET 108 - Intro to Veterinary Technology | 4 |
| AHS 120 - Medical Terminology | 1 |
| Sub Total: | 15 |
| Spring Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course | Credit Hours |
| VET 112 - Veterinary Microbiology & Lab | 4 |
| MAT 110 - Applied Math or MAT 150 - College Algebra | 3 |
| COM 252 - Intro to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| VET 116 - Animal Anatomy & Physiology | 4 |
| Heritage/Humanities | 3 |
| Sub Total: | 17 |
| Summer Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course | Credit Hours |
| VET 120 - Clinical Practicum I | 2 |
| VET 135 - Clinical Procedures I | 5 |
| Sub Total: | 7 |
| Fall Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course | Credit Hours |
| VET 210 - Pharmacology | 3 |
| VET 220 - Parasitology & Clinical Lab Techniques | 5 |
| VET 235 - Clinical Procedures II | 4 |
| Social/Behavioral Science Elective | 3 |
| Sub Total: | 15 |
| Spring Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course | Credit Hours |
| AGR 280 - Livestock Management | 3 |
| VET 245 - Clinical Procedures III | 5 |
| VET 250 - Clinical Practicum II | 5 |
| Intro to Computers | 3 |
| Sub Total: | 16 |
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a self-regulating entity that, according to U.S. federal law, must be established by institutions that use laboratory animals for research or instructional purposes to oversee and evaluate all aspects of the institution's animal care and use program.
Online Guide for the Care and use of Laboratory Animals
Policy for Reporting and Responding to Animal Welfare Concerns
Accreditation USDA number: 61-R-0111
Veterinary Technical National Examination (VTNE) Results
-
Testing Window: July 1, 2019-June 30, 2022
-
Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE: 48
-
Three-year VTNE pass percentage: 56.30%
request more information
Custom Viewbook
Make One
Eligible Programs
Find your future
