Veterinary Technology, AAS

Room: E-Building, E-300/C-252

Phone: (718) 482-5774

Program Accreditation

The Vet Tech program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) allowing them to receive their New York State license and to use the title of Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT).

LaGuardia Community College Veterinary Technology VTNE 3-Year Pass Rate
Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE: 73
VTNE 3-year pass rate (July 01 2020- June 30 2023): 86.3%

About

This major prepares students to become licensed veterinary technicians. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technology National Licensing Exam.

Program Requirements

First Steps: Admission and the Pre-Clinical Phase

Upon application students should choose “Undeclared Pre-Health Science – Veterinary Technology” as their major. Choosing this major places a student in the pre-clinical phase of the Veterinary Technology Program. This is a non-competitive step.

Not all students admitted to the preclinical phase move on to the clinical phase of the veterinary Technology Program. Admission into the clinical phase is highly competitive and is based on the grade point average (GPA) earned in selected pre-clinical courses known as “KEY” courses and the number of seats available. (See: “The Candidacy Process”).

FALL 2024 candidacy

Please note that the KEY courses for the 2024 Fall Veterinary Technology candidacy application have changed. The updated 4 KEY courses that will be evaluated for Program admission beginning in Fall 2024 are listed below. Please refer to the 2024-2025 Vet Tech Handbook reflecting these and other changes related to application to and progression through the clinical phase of the Veterinary Technology Program.

  • ENG101 English Composition (3 credits)
  • MAT115 or MAT 117 College Algebra (3 credits)
  • SCB208 Vertebrate Anatomy I  (3 credits)
  • SCC110 or SCC201 Foundations in Chemistry or General Chemistry (4 credits)


Clinical Phase

The clinical phase of the Veterinary Technology Program at LaGuardia Community College is comprised of a series of courses that introduce students to topics in small, large, exotic and research animal technology. Specific areas of study include veterinary anesthesia, nursing, dentistry, radiology pharmacology, pathophysiology, laboratory techniques and animal handling.

These courses are instructed in lecture and live animal laboratory formats. On campus coursework is further supported by two off-campus Internships in each of the Spring II semesters. Please see the online course catalog for in-depth course descriptions and prerequisites.

Additional information regarding Animal Care Responsibilities, Clinical Phase Academic Standards, Laboratory Etiquette and Dress, the Veterinary Technology Resource Room, and other policies can be found in the Vet Tech Handbook.

Candidacy Process

Entry into the clinical phase of the Veterinary Technology Program is competitive. Students are admitted based on a GPA ranking system. Applications to the clinical phase of the Veterinary Technology Program (Candidacy Process) can be made once a year in the Fall I semester. In order to be eligible to apply for the clinical phase students need to ensure that all of the pre-clinical KEY course requirements are be completed by the end of the Fall I semester in which the student wishes to apply.

A student interested in applying for the clinical phase of the Veterinary Technology Program at LaGuardia Community College must do so by completing the Application for Candidacy Form by emailing the Health Sciences Department at HealthSci@lagcc.cuny.edu in the first three weeks of the Fall I, 12-week term. There are no credits, no meetings and no charges involved in registering for this “application code”, it is merely an administrative designation. Students should save the receipt of this application for their files.

To apply for candidacy for the clinical phase of the Veterinary Technology Program, a student must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Be officially registered at LaGuardia as an Undeclared Health: Veterinary Technology Major.
  2. Be registered for Intent to Vet Tech (VTA 000.4599) in Fall I semester (by the deadline date noted on the academic calendar)
  3. Have successfully completed all 4 of the preclinical KEY courses list below with an earned grade of C or better by the end of the Fall I semester in which they are applying.
    • ENG 101 – English
    • SCC 110 or SCC 201 – Foundations of Chemistry or General Chemistry
    • MAT 115/117 – College Algebra
    • SCV 208- Vertebrate Anatomy I
  4. Have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5 by the end of the Fall I semester in which they are applying.
  5. Be registered for or have successfully completed SCB 208 (Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology I) with a grade of C or better by the end of the Fall II semester following their application semester.
  6. Applicants must have completed a letter of volunteer or work experience and essay (as described below) by December 31st of the year in which they are applying.

Are You Interested In...

  • Clinical (medical and surgical) settings?
  • Fast-paced work environments?
  • Working with clients?
  • Responding to emergencies?
  • Taking initiative and working independently?
  • Working in teams?
  • Serving animals?

Skills You Will Learn

  • Medical Terminology
  • Animal Handling and Husbandry
  • Anesthesia and Surgical Nursing
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology

What makes this major unique?

This major is the only animal medical program at LaGuardia. An interest and aptitude in handling and caring for animals with medical and surgical problems is key.

Career Possibilities

Students enter the field as Veterinary Technicians and can use the credentials Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). Note that a Veterinary Technologist is not a Veterinarian (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine [VMD.]). Students who know they wish to be Veterinarians should carefully consider their choice of major (Liberal Arts: Math and Science or Biology could be better options if pursuing a VMD).

  • Licensed Veterinary Technician- small animal practice
  • Licensed Veterinary Technician- research
  • Licensed Veterinary Technician- large animal or mixed practice
  • Licensed Veterinary Technician
  • Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS)
  • Pre-veterinary Studies

Transfer Possibilities

  • SUNY Delhi, or Canton – BA in Vet Tech
  • Hunter College – BS in Pre-veterinary Studies

Additional Resources

The Veterinary Technology Handbook has been developed to familiarize students with materials pertaining to the program and the profession. Veterinary Technology students are responsible for knowing the material in this guide and seeking clarification as needed.

Vet Tech Handbook.

 

Degree Requirements

A. REQUIRED CORE: 10 credits

English: 6 credits

  • ENG101 English Composition I* – 3 credits
    (or ENA101 depending on placement)
  • ENG102 Writing through Literature – 3 credits


Life and Physical Sciences: 4 credits

  • SCC110 Foundations of Chemistry (STEM)* – 4 credits


B. FLEXIBLE CORE: 9 credits**
To complete the degree requirements, students are advised to select the following:

  • Scientific World: 3 credits
    • Students are required to take SCB208 as it is the prerequisite for SCB209.
  • Students are advised to select 6 additional credits from the following categories. 1 course must fulfill the urban studies requirement.
    • World Cultures and Global Issues
    • US Experience in its Diversity
    • Creative Expression
    • Individual and Society

 

*Key courses for candidacy

** Additional Common Core courses will be required when transferring to a CUNY College.

Courses Credits
Health Sciences
HSF090 First Year Seminar for Health Sciences
Mathematics
MAT106 Medical Math Dosages* 2
Natural Science
SCB209 Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology II 3
SCB260 General Microbiology 4
Veterinary Technology
SCV101 Introduction to Veterinary Technology 3
SCV151 Shelter Medicine and Management 2
SCV201 Research Animal Technology 4
SCV210 Veterinary Nursing I 4
SCV211 Veterinary Nursing II 4
SCV212 Veterinary Radiography 3
SCV213 Veterinary Laboratory Techniques 3
SCV214 Farm Animal Nursing 3
SCV220 Principles of Exotic Animal Medical Care 2
SCV231 Vet Tech Internship I 2
SCV234 Vet Tech Internship II 2
SCV247 Veterinary Pathophysiology 2
SCV262 Pharmacology & Toxicology 3
Search
Search