Veterinary Students Holding a Chicken

VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY

Veterinary Technology Associate of Science Degree

Associate Degree requirements must be completed with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better.

Los Angeles Pierce College Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) Pass Rates

Candidates and Pass Rate Veterinary Technician National Exam July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2018 California Veterinary Technician Exam June 2015 - June 2018
Number of eligible first time candidates 107 107
Number of first-time candidates that have taken the exam 96 81
Three year pass rate for first-time test takers 81.25% 95%

Program Information

Earning an A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology from Los Angeles Pierce College qualifies a student to sit for the national and state board exams. The comprehensive scope of the Veterinary Technology major provides the student with the skills and knowledge necessary for employment as a Registered Veterinary Technician in many different capacities and settings. The curriculum integrates lecture classes with hands-on lab classes and outside clinical experiences, and meets or exceeds all American Veterinary Medical Association standards. Students are given ample opportunity to work with a wide variety of domestic animals here on campus. The coursework is separated into three categories: prerequisites, general education and advanced classes.

Prior to being permitted to enroll in advanced level classes, students must complete all prerequisites and submit an application to the RVT Program Director. Students must earn at least a "C" in all categories of classes. The coursework can be completed in two years, (including summer sessions), but most students take longer to complete the program.

The Veterinary Technology Major is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Academic counseling is strongly recommended prior to starting the RVT program.

Transfer Students

Completing the Associate Degree does not necessarily meet the university-admission requirements for transfer. An Associate Degree is not a requirement for transfer to either the CSU or UC campuses. Private and out-of-state colleges and universities have unique transfer requirements. However, if you would like to transfer to a university and earn an associate degree, early educational planning can make this goal achievable. You should meet with a counselor early in your studies to develop an Educational Plan that fulfills both transfer requirements and associate degree requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

Student Holding a Hen

Upon completion of this program, students will:

  • Be proficient in the Essential Tasks as required by the AVMA.
  • Possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to pass state and national board exams.
  • Develop the ability to assess and respond appropriately to routine and emergency medical conditions.
  • Gain an understanding of the role of the Registered Veterinary Technician on a veterinary team.

Entry Level - Required Courses

  • ANML SC 180: Animal Care Experience (1 unit)
  • ANML SC 181A: Field Work (1 unit)
  • ANML SC 401: Orientation to Veterinary Science (1 unit)
  • ANML SC 501: Principles of Animal Science (3 units)
  • ANML SC 510: Animal Health and Disease Control (3 units)
  • ANML SC 511: Anatomy and Physiology of Animals (3 units)
  • ANML SC 512: Anatomy and Physiology of Animals Laboratory (1 unit)
  • BIOLOGY 003: Introduction to Biology (4 units)
  • CHEM 051 or higher: Fundamentals of Chemistry I (5 units)
  • MICRO 020: General Microbiology (4 units)

  • ANML SC 410: Animal Nursing I (2 units)
  • ANML SC 411: Animal Nursing I Laboratory (1 unit)
  • ANML SC 412: Animal Nursing II (2 units)
  • ANML SC 413: Animal Nursing II Laboratory (1 unit)
  • ANML SC 420: Clinical Procedures in Animal Care I (2 units)
  • ANML SC 421: Clinical Procedures in Animal Care I Laboratory (1 unit)
  • ANML SC 422: Clinical Procedures in Animal Care II (2 units)
  • ANML SC 423: Clinical Procedures in Animal Care II Laboratory (1 unit)
  • ANML SC 430: Veterinary Clinical Pathology (2 units)
  • ANML SC 431: Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory (1 unit)
  • ANML SC 435: Veterinary Radiography (2 units)
  • ANML SC 436: Veterinary Radiography Laboratory (1 unit)
  • ANML SC 441: Large Animal Nursing Laboratory (2 units)
  • ANML SC 470: Laboratory Animal Care (3 units)
  • ANML SC 480: Clinical Experience for Veterinary Technicians I (3 units)
  • ANML SC 481: Clinical Experience for Veterinary Technicians II (3 units)

Major - Total Units (55 units)

Students must complete one of the following General Education Plans:

  • LACCD GE LACCD General Education Plan (21 units)
  • CSU GE CSU GE Breadth Certification Plan (39 units)
  • IGETC Intersegmental GE Transfer Curriculum (34-37 units)

Note: Students enrolled in advanced level veterinary technology classes must participate in daily kennel duty, including weekends.

Approval Process or Advanced-Level Program (Updated information approval process)

Please note that due to severe impaction of the senior RVT courses, as well as new standards set forth by the AVMA regarding class size and instructor-to-student ratios, we will be unable to approve new students to start in the Spring 2019 semester. Note that because of how courses are scheduled, and the fact that some classes are only taught once a year and must be taken in sequence, beginning the Program in Fall 2019 will NOT result in a delay in completion time/graduation as compared to starting in the Spring.

Students must complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite Verification Forms may be submitted during the semester in which prerequisite courses will be completed. Forms are available to pick up in person outside of the RVT Office (CFS 91154) in April of each year. Due dates and further instructions are printed on the form; no late submissions will be accepted for any reason whatsoever. All qualified students who submit Verification Forms by the due date are approved to enroll in the Advanced-level courses. There is no wait list to enter the RVT Senior Program. However, because we generally have more applicants than we have space for in our classes, approval to take Advanced-level courses does not guarantee enrollment in any particular class. If a course becomes full, approved students may have to wait until the next offering of the class to attempt to enroll in the course again. All applicants meet with the program director when submitting their application forms and will be given guidance on scheduling of coursework.

Students who have taken courses at schools other than Pierce must have their previous coursework approved for credit through the Academic Counseling Office. Students must provide proof of credit along with their Prerequisite Verification Forms during their meeting with the program director. Obtaining credit may take several weeks and should be done well in advance of meeting with the director.

Location

Office: CFS 91043

Contact

Savanah St. Clair Department Chair
Horse/Equine Science
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Email: @email
Phone: (818) 710-4250

Lu Dao, DVM RVT Program Director
Pre-veterinary Medicine Director
Email: @email