Veterinary Technology
A.S. in Veterinary Technology
B.S. in Veterinary Technology
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 Degree and also have the opportunity to apply all credits towards a Bachelor’s Degree. The Associate Degree entails seventy-two credits over two academic years, but may be adjusted to accommodate a student's special needs. The Bachelor’s 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 which will include a summer session.
The Veterinary Technology program focuses on laboratory testing techniques and clinical assisting procedures in new, state-of-the art facilities. Diagnostics, treatments, and medical ethics are stressed. Lecture sessions utilize computer assisted instruction and technological “smart classrooms”. “Reality-based” teaching techniques, including the use of case-studies and interactive computer-based activities, connect classes and clinical laboratory experiences with modern veterinary practice. These are complemented with intensive laboratory experiences and 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. Large animal facilities and local farms provide opportunities to work with equine and agricultural animals. The Medaille 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 offices, animal hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, biological testing labs, state and federal government agencies, colleges and universities, and animal breeding facilities. The Bachelor’s Degree will enhance a student’s preparedness and provide opportunities for pursuing career goals and graduate studies.
Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the Veterinary Technology program. All VET courses above VET 120 require formal admission to the Veterinary Technology program. Minimum requirements include a 2.5 average for transfer students and an 80% average for high school graduates. 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), 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 Medaille 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 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.
A Veterinary Technology Handbook of policies, procedures, and needed materials will be furnished to each Veterinary Technology student in their first semester.
To graduate with an Associate in Science degree, students must complete all required courses with not less than an overall 2.0 (C) average and not less than a 2.0 (C) average in Veterinary Technology courses. Majors in this program may not take any Veterinary Technology course as a Pass/Fail.
Students completing the Associate Degree program are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) which is required for licensure in New York and most other States throughout the country. As graduates of an AVMA accredited program, Medaille students can receive reciprocal licensing in these states.
Credit Distribution: Associate in Science
General Education Component (9)
*GEN 110 Ideas and Experiences: Intro. to Critical Thought and Expression (3)
SPE 130 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
ENG 110 College Writing II (3)
Veterinary Technology Component (36)
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 Laboratory 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 Anesthesiology (3)
VET 226 Veterinary Practice Management (3)
VET 228 Gross and Clinical Pathology (1)
VET 230 Pharmacy and Pharmacology (3)
VET 177 Preceptorship I (2)
VET 277 Preceptorship II (3)
Liberal Arts and Sciences Component (27)
A. Mathematics/Sciences Component (21)
BIO 170 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I (5)
BIO 171 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II (5)
BIO 200 Microbiology (4)
**CHE 145 Chemistry for the Health Sciences (4)
MAT 112 Mathematics for the Sciences (3)
B. Liberal Arts and Sciences Component (6)
(May include any APY, ART, BIO, CHE, CRJ, ECO, ENG, FRE, GEN, GEO, HIS, HUM, MAT, MMS, PHI, PHY, POL, PSY, RDG, SSC, SOC, SPA, SPE, THE course)
Total 72 credit hours
*Required of first-time Freshmen students; all other students must substitute a Liberal Arts or Sciences Elective.
**Students anticipating enrollment in the Bachelor of Science degree program in Biology or wishing to satisfy prerequisites for applying to Veterinary school should consult with the Veterinary Technology and Mathematics and Sciences Department Chairpersons for appropriate course selections.
Bachelor of Science Degree Program -- Matriculation from Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology to Liberal Studies, Biology or 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.
Credit Distribution: Bachelor of Science
Veterinary Technology (VET) Credit Matriculation to Liberal Studies
Associate Degree in VET (Medaille College): 72
+Remaining Credit Hours Required for Liberal Studies Degree: 48
Students taking Veterinary School prerequisites require additional credits
Total 120 credit hours
Bachelor of Science: Veterinary Technology (VET) and Biology Dual Major
Associate Degree in VET (Medaille College): 72
+Remaining Credit Hours Required for Biology Degree: 56
Students taking Veterinary School prerequisites require additional credits
Total 128 credit hours
Bachelor of Science: Veterinary Technology
Associate Degree in VET (Medaille College): 72
+Remaining Credit Hours Required for B.S. in VET: 48
Total 120 credit hours
B.S. in Veterinary Technology (VET) and Veterinary School prerequisites
Associate Degree in VET (Medaille College): 72
+Remaining Credit Hours Required for B.S. in VET: 70
(Students declaring the BS prior to their Freshman Spring semester can be scheduled to require only 130 credits)
Total 142 credit hours
+Waiver is granted for lower-level Theme IV, Science, Technology and Environment requirement (GEN 240)
Contact the Veterinary Technology Chairperson for further information.
Bachelor of Science Credit Hours
General Education Component
ENG 110 College Writing II (3)
ENG 200 Analytical Writing (3)
*GEN 110 Ideas and Experiences: Introduction to Critical Thought And Expression (3)
GEN 220 Colonial North America: Case Study in Cultural Interaction (3)
GEN 230 Creative Expression (3)
GEN 410 Baccalaureate Capstone I (3)
GEN 411 Baccalaureate Capstone II (3)
**MAT 114 Intermediate Algebra (3)
MAT 201 or BIO 301 (3)
SPE 130 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
Minimum General Education Credit Hours 30
Veterinary Technology Component
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 Laboratory 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 Anesthesiology (3)
VET 226 Veterinary Practice Management (3)
VET 228 Gross and Clinical Pathology (1)
VET 230 Pharmacy and Pharmacology (3)
VET 177 Preceptorship I (2)
VET 277 Preceptorship II (3)
1 VET (Any) Veterinary Technology Electives (6)
2 300 or 400 level Veterinary Technology Electives (9)
Minimum Veterinary Technology Credit Hours 51
NOTE: VET 132, VET 234, VET 238, VET 330, VET 336, VET 434, and VET 438 cannot be used as VET Electives.
1 Student must choose 2 courses from the following: VET 130, VET 232, VET 298, VET 299, or any VET 300/400 level.
2 Student must choose 3 courses from the following: VET 300, VET 301, VET 320, VET 326, VET 340, VET 355, VET 360, VET 398, VET 400, VET 401, VET 440, VET 450, VET 460, VET 461, or VET 498.
Liberal Arts and Sciences Component (33)
ENG 205 or ENG 215 (3)
BIO 170 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I (5)
BIO 171 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II (5)
BIO 200 Microbiology (4)
CHE 145 Chemistry for the Health Sciences (4)
**MAT 112 Mathematics for the Sciences (3)
9 credits 300/400 level from:
(May include any APY, ART, BIO, CHE, CRJ, ECO, ENG, FRE, GEN, GEO, HIS, HUM, MAT, MMS, PHI, PHY, POL, PSY, RDG, SSC, SOC, SPA, SPE, THE course)
Free Electives (any course) (6)
Total 120 credit hours
*Required of first-time Freshmen students; all other students must substitute a Liberal Arts or Sciences Elective.
**Students wishing to transfer a college math must successfully complete the Medaille Waiver Exam.
***Students who meet the math competency by placement must substitute a Free Elective.
