Veterinary Technology, A.S./B.S.
Program Description
This rigorous program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) combines professional, liberal arts, basic sciences, and two Preceptorship (field experience) requirements. Students will earn an Associate of Science degree (A.S.) and also have the opportunity to apply all credits towards a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.). The Associate of Science degree entails seventy-two credits over two academic years but may be adjusted to accommodate a student’s special needs. The Bachelor of Science degree can be obtained after two additional years of study and will include specialization courses in Veterinary Technology, upper-level sciences and diverse General Education topics. Students may also choose the Pre-Veterinary pathway and complete prerequisite courses for application to Veterinary schools.
The Veterinary Technology program focuses on laboratory testing techniques, clinical assisting and animal nursing procedures in modern state-of-the-art facilities. Diagnostics, treatments, and medical ethics are stressed. Lecture sessions utilize computer-assisted instruction and technological “smart classrooms,” with an emphasis on clinical courses and hands-on laboratory exercises. “Reality-based” teaching techniques, including the use of case-studies and interactive computer-based activities, connect classes and clinical laboratory experiences with current veterinary practice. These are complemented with two off-campus Preceptorships. The Buffalo Zoo, Erie County SPCA, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, SUNY Buffalo, Veterans Hospital and local Buffalo and Rochester Veterinary Hospitals cooperate with Medaille College. Large animal facilities and local farms provide opportunities to work with equine and agricultural animals. The Medaille College student will become familiar with medical procedures for companion, laboratory, exotic and all major large animal species. As a Veterinary Technician, employment is available in veterinary hospitals, equine and food animal practices, the pharmaceutical industry, biolomedical research labs, state and federal government agencies, medical Colleges and universities, and animal breeding facilities. The bachelor’s degree will enhance a student’s knowledge and skills, providing additional opportunities for pursuing career goals and advanced graduate studies.
Admission to the College is based on Medaille College Admission Policies. Those entering as Provisional students and placing into developmental courses will require additional semesters to complete the A.S. degree. The Veterinary Technology program requires student time beyond scheduled class and laboratory hours. Animal Care and Vivarium responsibilities (in new and spacious animal housing facilities), clinical laboratory testing and animal supervision are some of the assigned duties, which require substantial time outside the classroom. Travel to and from instructional programs held off the Buffalo Campus, such as farm animal labs necessitates additional student time.
Those students wishing to pursue a bachelor’s degree, including courses required for veterinary school admission, can do so in conjunction with the Veterinary Technology program. Flexibility in the various bachelor’s degree programs affiliated with the A.S. in Veterinary Technology will allow participants to satisfy the admissions requirements for most professional post-graduate medical programs of several professions.
A Veterinary Technology Handbook of policies, procedures, and needed materials will be furnished to each Veterinary Technology student in their first semester. An Orientation specific to the Veterinary Technology program is required for every student before their entrance into the program and prior to their beginning clinical courses.
To graduate with an Associate in Science degree, students must complete all required courses in the Veterinary Technology program with a minimum grade of C-. Students in this A.S. in Veterinary Technology program may not take any of these required courses as a Pass/Fail grade. I addition, each student must accomplish 100% of the Essential Tasks established by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
To graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree, students must complete all required courses in the Veterinary Technology program with a minimum grade of C-. Student in this B.S. in Veterinary Technology program may not take any of these required courses as a Pass/Fail grade.
Students within six (6) months of graduation in the Associate Degree program are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). As graduates of an AVMA accredited program, and after passage of the VTNE, Medaille College students can be licensed in New York State and become eligible for reciprocal licensing in most other states.
Degree earned: A.S. or B.S.
Total number of credits: 72 (A.S.) or 120 (B.S.)
Credit Distribution (A.S.)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Core | ||
| Writing Courses | ||
| ENG 110 | College Writing | 3 |
| or ENG 112 | College Writing for Multilingual Students | |
| Critical Dialogues Course | ||
| INT 110 | Introduction to Dialogues in Critical Thinking 1 | 3 |
| SPE 130 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| VET 099 | Prophylactic Rabies Vaccine | 0 |
| VET 100 | Introduction to Veterinary Technology | 3 |
| VET 120 | Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science | 3 |
| VET 120L | Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science Lab | 0 |
| VET 126 | Animal Parasitology | 2 |
| VET 126L | Animal Parasitology Laboratory | 0 |
| VET 202 | Small Animal Diseases and Nutrition | 3 |
| VET 202A | Small Animal Diseases and Nutrition - Animal Care | 0 |
| VET 202L | Small Animal Diseases and Nutrition - Lab | 0 |
| VET 204 | Veterinary Clinical Lab Techniques | 3 |
| VET 204L | Veterinary Clinical Lab Techniques Lab | 0 |
| VET 206 | Handling and Care of Exotics | 2 |
| VET 206L | Handling and Care Exotics Lab | 0 |
| VET 208 | Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging | 2 |
| VET 208L | Diagnostic Imaging Lab | 0 |
| VET 222 | Farm Animal Restraint, Diseases, and Nutrition | 3 |
| VET 222L | Farm Animal Restraint, Diseases, and Nutrition Lab | 0 |
| VET 224 | Surgical Nursing and Anethesiology | 3 |
| VET 224A | Surgical Nursing and Anesthesiology - Animal Care | 0 |
| VET 224L | Surgical Nursing and Anesthesiology Lab | 0 |
| VET 226 | Veterinary Practice Management | 1 |
| VET 228 | Gross and Clinical Pathology | 1 |
| VET 228L | Gross and Clinical Pathology Lab | 0 |
| VET 230 | Pharmacy and Pharmacology | 3 |
| VET 230L | Pharmacy and Pharmacology Lab | 0 |
| VET 230R | Pharmacy & Pharmacology(Recit) | 0 |
| VET 237 | Dentistry for Veterinary Technicians | 2 |
| Experiential Learning | ||
| VET 177 | Preceptorship I | 1 |
| VET 276 | Small Animal Nursing Skills Preceptorship | 1 |
| VET 277 | Preceptorship II | 3 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences Required Courses | ||
| BIO 170 | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 170L | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| BIO 171 | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO 171L | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 200 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 200L | Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| CHE 145 | Chemistry for the Health and Sciences | 3 |
| CHE 145L | Chemistry for the Health Sciences Laboratory | 1 |
| MAT 112 | Mathematics for the Sciences | 3 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences Elective Component | ||
| Select 6 credits from any APY, ART, BIO, CHE, CHI, CRJ, ECO, ENG, FRE, GEN, GEO, HIS, HUM, MAT, PHI, PHY, POL, PSY, RDG, SSC, SOC, SPA, SPE, or THE course. 3 | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- 1
Required of first-year students; all other students may substitute a 300/400 level Liberal Arts and Sciences elective
- 2
Requires co-registration with VET 120 Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science
- 3
Students anticipating enrollment in the Bachelor of Science degree program in Biology or Veterinary Technology or wishing to satisfy prerequisites for applying to Veterinary school should consult with the Veterinary Technology Department Chair/Program Director for appropriate course selections.
Credit Distribution (B.S.)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Core | ||
| Writing Courses | ||
| ENG 110 | College Writing | 3 |
| or ENG 112 | College Writing for Multilingual Students | |
| ENG/HON 200 | Advanced College Writing | 3 |
| or ENG 202 | Advanced College Writing for Multilingual Students | |
| Critical Dialogues Course | ||
| INT 110 | Introduction to Dialogues in Critical Thinking 1 | 3 |
| American Dialogues Course | ||
| Select one course of the following: | 3 | |
| Photographers, Writers, and the American Scene | ||
| Social Issues in Policing a Multicultural Community | ||
| Justice and Democracy in America | ||
| African-American History | ||
| Cultural Interaction in Colonial North America | ||
| Enduring American Dialogues | ||
| Creative and Reflective Dialogues Course | ||
| Select one course of the following: | 3 | |
| Contemporary Photography as Cultural Landscape | ||
| Beginning Drawing | ||
| Basic Photography: Criticizing Photography | ||
| Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
| Creative Nonfiction Writing | ||
| Creative Expression | ||
| Introduction to Theatre and Performance | ||
| Global Dialogues Course | ||
| Select one course of the following: | 3 | |
| British Literature I: Middle Ages to the 18th Century | ||
| British Literature II: Late 18th Century to The Present | ||
| Themes and Topics in World Literature & Culture | ||
| Major Global Literary Figures | ||
| Baccalaureate Capstone I | ||
| Medieval World | ||
| The History of Ireland | ||
| History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | ||
| HUM 300 | The Arts in Society | 3 |
| Psychoanalysis & Politics | ||
| Seminar in Religion and Belief | ||
| Classical Music Studies | ||
| Truth & Justice | ||
| Citizenship Dialogues Course | ||
| Select one course of the following: | 3 | |
| Baccalaureate Capstone II | ||
| Capstone in Citizenship | ||
| Psychology Capstone | ||
| MAT 201 | Statistics and Society | 3 |
| or BIO 301 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics | |
| SPE 130 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| VET 099 | Prophylactic Rabies Vaccine | 0 |
| VET 100 | Introduction to Veterinary Technology | 3 |
| VET 120 | Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science | 3 |
| VET 126 | Animal Parasitology | 2 |
| VET 202 | Small Animal Diseases and Nutrition | 3 |
| VET 204 | Veterinary Clinical Lab Techniques | 3 |
| VET 206 | Handling and Care of Exotics | 2 |
| VET 208 | Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging | 2 |
| VET 222 | Farm Animal Restraint, Diseases, and Nutrition | 3 |
| VET 224 | Surgical Nursing and Anethesiology | 3 |
| VET 226 | Veterinary Practice Management | 1 |
| VET 228 | Gross and Clinical Pathology | 1 |
| VET 230 | Pharmacy and Pharmacology | 3 |
| VET 237 | Dentistry for Veterinary Technicians | 2 |
| Experiential Learning | ||
| VET 177 | Preceptorship I | 1 |
| VET 276 | Small Animal Nursing Skills Preceptorship | 1 |
| VET 277 | Preceptorship II | 3 |
| Veterinary Technology Electives | ||
| Select two courses of the following: | 6 | |
| Basic Introduction to Horses | ||
| Special Topic in Veterinary Technology | ||
| Independent Study in Veterinary Technology | ||
| Horse and Stable Management | ||
| Animal Learning | ||
| Foundations of Animal Management and Welfare | ||
| Companion Animal First Aid and Disaster Preparedness | ||
| Select three courses of the following: | 9 | |
| Veterinary Dentistry: Principles and Practices | ||
| Dental Radiography | ||
| Advanced Animal Management Welfare | ||
| Case Studies in SA Vet Med | ||
| Applied Human - Animal Bond | ||
| Horse and Stable Management | ||
| Advanced Laboratory Animal Science | ||
| Equine Nutrition & Physiology | ||
| Applied Animal Behavior for Veterinary Practice: Part I | ||
| Introduction to Animal Rehabilitation | ||
| Pain Management in Animals | ||
| Patient Management and Therapeutics in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care | ||
| Zoonotic Diseases | ||
| Special Topic in Veterinary Technology | ||
| Advanced Dental Techniques | ||
| Specialization in Veterinary Dentistry | ||
| Applied Animal Behavior for Veterinary Practice: Part II | ||
| Anesthesia for Canine and Feline High-Risk Patients | ||
| Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care I | ||
| Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care II | ||
| Independent Study in Veterinary Technology | ||
| Liberal Arts and Sciences Courses | ||
| BIO 170 | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 170L | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| BIO 171 | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO 171L | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 200 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 200L | Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| CHE 145 | Chemistry for the Health and Sciences | 3 |
| CHE 145L | Chemistry for the Health Sciences Laboratory | 1 |
| MAT 112 | Mathematics for the Sciences | 3 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences Electives 3 | ||
| Select three Liberal Arts and Sciences courses of any level | 6 | |
| Select two 300/400 level Liberal Arts and Sciences courses | 6 | |
| Free Electives | ||
| Select 6 credits of Free Electives 4 | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Required of first-year students; all other students must substitute a Liberal Arts and Sciences elective
- 2
Requires co-registration with VET 120 Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science
- 3
Liberal Arts and Sciences courses include APY, ART, BIO, CHE, CHI, CRJ, ECO, ENG, FRE, GEN, GEO, HIS, HUM, MAT, PHI, PHY, POL, PSY, RDG, SSC, SOC, SPA, SPE, or THE course
- 4
May include any College course.
Note: Students can matriculate from an Associate degree in Veterinary Technology to a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies, Bachelor of Science degree in Biology or Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology. Medaille College offers the opportunity for Veterinary Technology majors to apply their previously earned A.S. degree toward fulfilling the requirements of a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies, Biology or Veterinary Technology. These programs enable the Veterinary Technician to receive the maximum benefit from transfer credits. Although the Bachelor of Science programs have been formulated to complement the Medaille College Veterinary Technology degree, it is anticipated that other States and New York programs accredited by the AVMA will be quite similar and that almost all earned credits will transfer.
Suggested Sequences
Veterinary Technology (A.S.)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| VET 100 | Introduction to Veterinary Technology | 3 |
| VET 177 | Preceptorship I | 1 |
| BIO 170 | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 170L | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| ENG 110 | College Writing | 3 |
| INT 110 | Introduction to Dialogues in Critical Thinking | 3 |
| MAT 112 | Mathematics for the Sciences | 3 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| VET 099/120A | Prophylactic Rabies Vaccine | 0 |
| VET 120/099/120A | Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science | 3 |
| VET 126 | Animal Parasitology | 2 |
| BIO 171 | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO 171L | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 200 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 200L | Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| CHE 145 | Chemistry for the Health and Sciences | 3 |
| CHE 145L | Chemistry for the Health Sciences Laboratory | 1 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| VET 202/202A | Small Animal Diseases and Nutrition | 3 |
| VET 204 | Veterinary Clinical Lab Techniques | 3 |
| VET 208 | Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging | 2 |
| VET 230/230R | Pharmacy and Pharmacology | 3 |
| VET 276 | Small Animal Nursing Skills Preceptorship | 1 |
| SPE 130 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| VET 206 | Handling and Care of Exotics | 2 |
| VET 222 | Farm Animal Restraint, Diseases, and Nutrition | 3 |
| VET 224/224A | Surgical Nursing and Anethesiology | 3 |
| VET 226 | Veterinary Practice Management | 1 |
| VET 237 | Dentistry for Veterinary Technicians | 2 |
| VET 228 | Gross and Clinical Pathology | 1 |
| VET 277 | Preceptorship II | 3 |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
Note 1: The above shows the ideal suggested sequencing and scheduling of courses and credits by semester. It is based on eight semesters for a traditionally-structured baccalaureate degree. Degree program requirements and the scheduling of courses are subject to change, based on writing/math placements and course availability. This chart should be utilized a guide and is not a written contract. Students will be notified of changes that may affect their academic progress.
Note 2: Students planning to apply for admission to graduate, medical, or veterinary school are strongly encouraged to take CHE 400 General Biochemistry, PHY 200 Principles of Physics I, PHY 201 Principles of Physics II, and MAT 216 Survey Of Introductory Calculus And Its Applications or MAT 251 Calculus I and MAT 252 Calculus II. Students interested in professional careers in medicine are advised to develop a foundation in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Veterinary Technology (B.S.)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| VET 177 | Preceptorship I | 1 |
| BIO 170 | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 170L | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| VET 100 | Introduction to Veterinary Technology | 3 |
| ENG 110 | College Writing | 3 |
| MAT 112/VET 120 | Mathematics for the Sciences | 3 |
| INT 110 | Introduction to Dialogues in Critical Thinking | 3 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SPE 130 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| BIO 171 | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO 171L | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| VET 126 | Animal Parasitology | 2 |
| VET 120/MAT 112 | Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science | 3 |
| VET 099/120A | Prophylactic Rabies Vaccine | 0 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| VET 202/202A | Small Animal Diseases and Nutrition | 3 |
| VET 204 | Veterinary Clinical Lab Techniques | 3 |
| VET 276 | Small Animal Nursing Skills Preceptorship | 1 |
| American Dialogues | 3 | |
| ENG 200 | Advanced College Writing | 3 |
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| LAS elective | 3 | |
| BIO 200 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 200L | Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| VET 208 | Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging | 2 |
| CHE 145 | Chemistry for the Health and Sciences | 3 |
| CHE 145L | Chemistry for the Health Sciences Laboratory | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Creative Dialogues | 3 | |
| MAT 201/BIO 301 | Statistics and Society | 3 |
| VET 230/230R | Pharmacy and Pharmacology | 3 |
| VET Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| VET 206 | Handling and Care of Exotics | 2 |
| VET 222 | Farm Animal Restraint, Diseases, and Nutrition | 3 |
| VET 224/224A | Surgical Nursing and Anethesiology | 3 |
| VET 226 | Veterinary Practice Management | 1 |
| VET 228 | Gross and Clinical Pathology | 1 |
| VET 237 | Dentistry for Veterinary Technicians | 2 |
| VET 277 | Preceptorship II | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Global Dialogues | 3 | |
| VET 300/400 | 3 | |
| VET 300/400 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Citizenship Dialogues | 3 | |
| VET Elective | 3 | |
| VET 300/400 | 3 | |
| LAS 300/400 | 3 | |
| LAS 300/400 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Note 1: The above shows the ideal suggested sequencing and scheduling of courses and credits by semester. It is based on eight semesters for a traditionally-structured baccalaureate degree. Degree program requirements and the scheduling of courses are subject to change, based on writing/math placements and course availability. This chart should be utilized as a guide and is not a written contract. Students will be notified of changes that may affect their academic progress.
Note 2: Students planning to apply for admission to graduate, medical, or veterinary school are strongly encouraged to take CHE 400 General Biochemistry, PHY 200 Principles of Physics I, PHY 201 Principles of Physics II, and MAT 216 Survey Of Introductory Calculus And Its Applications or MAT 251 Calculus I and MAT 252 Calculus II. Students interested in professional careers in medicine are advised to develop a foundation in the Humanities and Social Sciences.