Mar 28, 2024  
2019-20 Gaston College Catalog 
    
2019-20 Gaston College Catalog [THIS CATALOG IS OUT-OF-DATE. USE THE CURRENT CATALOG TO FIND CURRENT PROGRAMS.]

Veterinary Medical Technology, A.A.S. (A45780)


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The Veterinary Technology Curriculum prepares the graduate to assist veterinarians in preparing animals, equipment, and medications for examination and surgery; collecting specimens; performing laboratory, radiographic, anesthetic, dental procedures; assisting in surgery; and providing proper husbandry of animals and their environment. Course work includes instruction in veterinary anatomy, nutrition, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiology, terminology, zoology, office practices, laboratory techniques, dentistry, and small and large animal clinical practices. Graduates of accredited programs may be eligible to take state and national examinations. Graduates may be employed in veterinary clinics; diagnostic, research, or pharmaceutical laboratories; zoos; academic institutions; or other areas associated with animal care.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

  1. Prepare animals and equipment for examination and surgery.
  2. Safely prepare and administer medications in a veterinary setting.
  3. Correctly collect specimens for laboratory analysis.
  4. Safely perform laboratory, radiographic, anesthetic and dental procedures in a veterinary setting.
  5. Competently assist the veterinarian in surgical procedures.
  6. Provide proper husbandry of animals and their environment.
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of common veterinary diseases and diagnostic procedures.
  8. Demonstrate knowledge of veterinary regulatory issues and veterinary office procedures.
Curriculum Information

The Veterinary Medical Technology Program is a two-year, full time, six (6) semester course of study (71 semester credit hours) leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program is designed to provide both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for a professional career as a veterinary technician.

Course Selection Information

Students, to help you progress in your degree program, take prerequisite courses along with English and Math early in your academic career. This will align you for greater success in completing your program of study. Click on the courses listed below to ensure you are aware of prerequisites. The order shown below under the student program priorities is a guide.

Student Program Priorities:

  1. CHM 130 CHM 130A  

Admissions Requirements


Students applying for admission to the Gaston College Veterinary Medical Technician Program MUST meet all Gaston College admission requirements for GENERAL ADMISSION to the college.

To be eligible to participate in the competitive admission process, an applicant must complete the following application steps:

  1. Submit a Gaston College Application
  2. Complete Residency Determination for in-state tuition
  3. Apply for financial aid
  4. Meet with an advisor / Attend an information session
  5. Submit official transcripts
  6. Provide proof of course placement requirements:

Students must demonstrate readiness for College level reading and math. Students can demonstrate that readiness in the following ways:

  1. Provide proof of unweighted US High School GPA of 2.8 or higher within the last ten years.
  2. Provide proof of an associate or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  3. Provide proof of satisfactory scores on ACT, SAT, GED, NCDAP, COMPASS, ASSET or ACUPLACER within the last ten years.

Students who do not have recent high school transcripts or test scores within the past 10 years should prepare to take the placement test and demonstrate:

Mastery on RISE (Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence) English placement Tier 2 and RISE Math placement Tier 3; OR successfully complete ENG 002 through TIER 2 (grade of P2) and MAT 003 through Tier 3 (grade of P3).

Applicants to the Veterinary Medical Technology Program must meet the following criteria for consideration for admission into the program: All applications, test scores, and work/volunteer/observation verification forms are due the first Monday in March.

Veterinary Medical Technology Competitive Admission Criteria

  1. Complete application form for Veterinary Medical Technology Program. (These forms may be found on our website or by calling 704.922.6377.)  Applications will be accepted from the first Monday in August through the first Monday in March for the fall semester.
  2. Students must take the following and meet the minimum scores to be considered for the Vet Tech program.

  • A required minimum composite score of 50 on the Math section and a 57 on the Reading section must be met on the ATI TEAS or TEAS V taken within five (5) years from the date of the application. NOTE: After February 1, 2019, the TEAS V will not be accepted for new applicants. Applicants who applied for the Fall of 2018 and had their applications moved forward will still be allowed to have the TEAS V scores count for points. Applicants with an Associate or higher college degree will have the ATI TEAS examination waived with proof of graduation from an accredited college.
  • Students are allowed to take the TEAS once every 60 days in order to reach their desired score. Scores will not be accepted if the test was taken at different TEAS testing site within 60 days of a TEAS test attempt.
  1. Have an overall GPA of at least 2.0 in college level coursework taken and a minimum grade of “C” for all related courses.
  2. Submit a Work/Volunteer/Observation Experience Verification Form for the required 40 hours minimum of work/volunteer/observation in a veterinary setting under the supervision of a veterinarian or registered veterinary technician. The work/volunteer/observation form and the Veterinary Technology application must be submitted simultaneously to the Vet Tech Program. This form is available on the Vet Tech website.
  3. College level courses will be considered for transfer credit upon receipt of an applicant’s transcript.
  4. Once the application, all test scores, transcripts, and work/volunteer/observation verification forms have been received by the Vet Tech Program, admission points are calculated based on the above criteria. The final selection of applicants into the program will be made by the Department Chair in consultation with the Veterinary Medical Technology Program faculty.
  5. Applicants will be notified by e-mail of their admission status by the Veterinary Technology Department Chairperson. Those students who are not admitted to the Veterinary Medical Technology Program may reapply at a later date. Students reapplying for admission must meet the admission requirements current at the time of their most recent application.

Additional Requirements for Students Admitted to the Program

Students must earn at least a “B” (80%) or better in all VET Courses to be eligible for program progression and graduation from the Veterinary Medical Technology Program.

The following are special health requirements that are to be met by all students accepted into the Veterinary Medical Technology Program:

  1. Proof of a tetanus injection within the last ten (10) years.
  2. If student opts to receive rabies vaccination, this should be completed by the end of Fall Semester of the first year. If already vaccinated, proof of adequate blood titer, within the previous two (2) years, should be provided. If a student elects not to receive rabies immunization, a waiver must be signed.
  3. Students are responsible for obtaining their own health insurance policy and/or paying for any medical expenses incurred as a result of illness or injury sustained during class, lab, or clinical experiences (i.e. strained back, needle stick). Neither Gaston College nor the affiliating institutions/agencies are responsible for medical expenses incurred as part of the educational process.

All necessary application forms are available online or obtained by calling 704.922.6377 or 704.922.6393.

Enrollment in the Veterinary Medical Technology Program is limited to 40 students each fall semester.

FIRST YEAR


SECOND YEAR


Total Program Hours: 71


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