For more information, visit the Dallas College Veterinary Technology webpage and your academic advisor at the Cedar Valley Campus.
This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing Veterinary Technology. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours (15 hours) required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See catalog for official degree requirements.
The A.A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and graduates of the program are eligible to take the national and state exams required to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). Graduates assist veterinarians in providing healthcare for animals and may work in veterinary hospitals, in research facilities or allied health industries. The Veterinary Technology curriculum is designed to provide the graduate with information, experience and skills needed to perform all technical duties in a practice, including nursing care, laboratory and radiology procedures, and assisting with anesthesia and surgery. Admission to the on campus A.A.S. program is limited. Applications are accepted during the spring semester for admission the following fall, and criteria for admission include completion of prerequisites, GPA and experience working with animals. Courses that complete the Degree and courses that complete the Small Animal Certificate (SC) and Large Animal Veterinary Assisting Certificate (LC) are noted below. A grade of "C" or better is required for all courses.
Catalog Year 2021-2022 You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.
Degree Type Associate of Applied Science
GPA Requirement Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher
TSI Must be Complete
SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS
All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official degree plan. See catalog for official degree requirements.
AAS DEGREE MINIMUM: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS
PREREQUISITES
ENGL 1301 – Composition I This is a Core course. (Course also applies to SC)
BIOL 1406 – Biology for Science Majors I This is a Core course. (Course also applies to SC)
PREREQUIESITES SEMESTER ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with your advisor to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
- Meet with a career advisor or coach to research your career options and opportunities for job shadowing.
- Apply to the Veterinary Technology program by June 1.
Total Hours: 7
SEMESTER 1
MATHEMATICS ELECTIVE* This is a Core course. (Course also applies to SC)
VTHT 1301 – Introduction to Veterinary Technology (Course also applies to SC)
VTHT 1413 – Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
VTHT 2321 – Veterinary Parasitology (Course also applies to SC)
* There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your academic advisor for a specific list.
SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS
- Check in with your advisor to update grades and goals.
- Meet with a faculty or career advisor regarding placement for the Clinical course.
- Meet with an advisor to request an official program of study audit and confirm or update your academic/career path and program of study.
Total Hours: 13
SEMESTER 2
HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS ELECTIVE* This is a Core course.
VTHT 1349 – Veterinary Pharmacology
VTHT 2201 – Canine and Feline Clinical Management (Course also applies to SC)
VTHT 1217 – Veterinary Office Management (Course also applies to SC)
VTHT 2223 – Veterinary Clinical Pathology I
* There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your academic advisor for a specific list.
SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS
- Check in with your advisor to update grades and goals.
- Apply for the Small Animal Veterinary Assisting Certificate completion.
- Meet with your advisor to discuss Clinical/Cooperative Education Elective option 1 and option 2.
- Students selecting OPTION 1 must find employment with a veterinary clinic to complete VTHT 1160 in the summer semester.
Total Hours: 12
SEMESTER 3
VTHT 2331 – Veterinary Clinical Pathology II
VTHT 1160 – Clinical- Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/ Technician and Veterinary Assistant*
* Clinical/Cooperative Education Electives - students must complete 3 credit hours of Clinical or Cooperative Education selected from these options. Students must select Option 1 or Option 2.
OPTION 1: Recommended for students with limited clinical experience: VTHT 1160 (Semester 3) AND VTHT 2280 (Semester 5).
OPTION 2: Recommended for students currently working in a veterinary clinic: VTHT 2380 in Semester 5
Total Hours: 4
SEMESTER 4
SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE* This is a Core course
VTHT 1341 – Anesthesia and Surgical Assistance
VTHT 2325 – Large Animal Assisting Techniques
VTHT 2213 – Lab Animal Clinical Management
VTHT 2205 – Equine Clinical Management
SEMESTER 4 ACTION ITEMS
- Check in with your advisor to update grades and goals.
- Find employment (15 hr/wk minimum) with a veterinary clinic to complete VTHT 2380 or VTHT 2289 cooperative education in spring semester.
- NOTE: To earn the Large Animal Veterinary Assisting (LC) Certificate VTHT 1321 must be completed. Course not required for the A.A.S.
Total Hours: 13
SEMESTER 5
VTHT 2209 – Food Animal Clinical Management
VTHT 1345 – Veterinary Radiology
VTHT 2439 – Veterinary Nursing Care
CHOOSE ONE:
- VTHT 2280 – Cooperative Education-Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant* OR
- VTHT 2380 – Cooperative Education-Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant*
* Clinical/Cooperative Education Electives - students must complete 3 credit hours of Clinical or Cooperative Education selected from these options. Students must select Option 1 or Option 2.
OPTION 1: Recommended for students with limited clinical experience: VTHT 1160 (Semester 3) AND VTHT 2280 (Semester 5).
OPTION 2: Recommended for students currently working in a veterinary clinic: VTHT 2380 in Semester 5.
SEMESTER 5 ACTION ITEMS
- After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, meet with your advisor to apply for the Veterinary Technology A.A.S. and Large Animal Veterinary Assisting Certificate.
- Sign up for commencement.
- Join the Alumni Network!
Total Hours: 11-12
PATHWAY TOTAL: 60-61 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS