Why study Veterinary Technology?

Veterinary technology is the science and art of providing health care to animals and professional support to veterinarians. The veterinary technician must be knowledgeable in the care and handling of animals, their normal and abnormal life processes, and their medical and psychological needs. Therefore, they must be skilled in nursing procedures, anesthesiology, radiography, clinical laboratory techniques, surgical preparation and assisting, anatomy and physiology, phlebotomy and husbandry.

Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians in every facet of the profession, which includes private practice, institutional and industrial research, the military, humane associations, zoos, government and teaching.

Veterinary technicians help strengthen the human-animal bond by safeguarding and lengthening the lives of millions of pets worldwide. Their dedication to the health and welfare of animals is vital to the function of both veterinary care facilities and other public and private organizations across the world. They contribute to society by assuring safe and wholesome products are sold in the markets. They are also found in laboratories that create new drugs, devices and medical procedures that contribute to the quality of life of both man and animals.

Career Possibilities

A veterinary technician can be employed in large-animal, small-animal, equine, exotic, emergency, surgery and other specialty types of private practices. They may also work in industrial (product-making) and medical research institutions. "Vet techs" are also employed in zoos, humane associations, the military, food industries and teaching institutions. There are also opportunities for continuing education and specialty in the field of veterinary technology. At this time there are nine recognized board certifications that experienced veterinary technicians may acquire, which include emergency and critical-care medicine, dentistry, anesthesia, internal medicine, behavior, zoo medicine, equine, surgical and clinical practice. A complete list of vet tech specialties can be found at The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America.  There are also several baccalaureate degree programs which graduate veterinary technologists in the field of veterinary medicine.

Majoring in Veterinary Technology

Veterinary technology at UC's Blue Ash College is offered through the Veterinary Technology Department. Our mission is to provide a supportive academic and professional environment, enabling each student to become a competent and caring veterinary technician. The program is accredited with the AVMA. Upon completion of the required courses, an associate in applied science degree in veterinary technology is awarded.

The program is divided into a freshman year (consisting of general education courses without animal contact) and a sophomore year (composed of both lecture and "hands-on" courses). The freshman courses are prerequisites for the sophomore year and include English composition, humanities, behavioral or social sciences and biology. Also required are microbiology, chemistry, effective speaking, medical terminology and an introductory FYE course. These courses may be taken full- or part-time, during the day or evening.

The sophomore curriculum consists of animal husbandry and diseases, hematology, anatomy and physiology, anesthesia, surgery and dentistry, imaging, nursing technicques, parasitology, urinalysis and clinical chemistry and clinical experience obtained outside the university. A preceptorship is required during the last semester of the sophomore year prior to graduation.

The sophomore year is offered by selective admittance to two cohorts of students.  The selective admission application will be available online in early spring each year.  The traditional full-time option is offered to 32 freshman students who have met all prerequisite requirements.  These full-time students complete the sophmore year requirements over three semesters by attending classes full-time during the day. 

Students who choose the full-time option need to be aware of the academic requirements of the program.  The classes generally meet Monday through Friday 9-4 pm, with additional out of class study time often exceeding 30-40 hours per week, depending on the student.  Full-time students are encouraged to limit outside activities such a part-time jobs and other responsibilities to encourage time to focus on academics.  

The part-time option admits a cohort of 16 students into the program who have met all prerequisite requirements.  These students will be able to complete the sophomore year requirements over seven semesters, part-time and in the evening, using online and hybrid class delivery formats.  Students often choose the part-time option of the program to balance job, family and personal responsibilities.  Students who need to work full-time or near full-time, who have significant family responsibilities or who prefer a slower academic pace (fewer classes per semester) do well in the part-time program.  Lectures are all online to increase flexibility and in-person laboratory classes are held an average of two evenings per week, depending on the semester.During the last semester of course work, students are required to participate in a full-time, 12 week clinical preceptorship experience required for graduation. 

Major Maps

• Guide: Veterinary Technology: Full-Time (AAS) Curriculum
• Guide: Veterinary Technology: Part-Time (AAS) Curriculum

Advising

Current and admitted students can locate advisor contact information for veterinary technology via the advising website.

UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

Tuition at UC Blue Ash is below the average state university tuition. Our curriculum includes information and hands-on experience covering all of the animal species required by the AVMA accrediting committee. Our graduates are well-qualified to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), and our graduates consistently score above the state and national averages.

Our program is designed to minimize the dropout rate in the sophomore year by preparing the freshman student for the intensive curriculum of the clinical year.

Our present facilities at UC Blue Ash were completed in October 2005 and are state-of-the-art. The building is utilized solely by the VT students and animals, which fosters a sense of ownership and commitment.

Collectively, the VT faculty and staff have nearly 150 years of education and veterinary experience within a wide spectrum of facilities and species, ranging from laboratory animals to farm animals. Our only mission is directed to the education of veterinary technician students. The low student-to-faculty/staff ratio allows special attention to be given to each student.

Job placement is 100 percent each year. Currently, a new graduate working in private practice can expect to receive between $31,000-$36,000 per year. In the research arena, the starting salaries are about $33,000-$36,000 per year.

Special Programs

The faculty and staff of the VT program are the leaders and members of local, state and national veterinary associations. With this in mind, we encourage and assist our students in becoming involved with multiple organizations while still in school. We place students into outside facility practicums and preceptorships during the fall and spring semesters. Our faculty, staff and students go on field trips over the entire scholastic year to humane centers, spay-neuter clinics and farms in order to experience and contribute to real-life situations.

The students are members of a student chapter of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, through which they coordinate multiple fundraising events for animal-related charities each year. They also volunteer their time and talents to local veterinary associations and humane societies, in events helping the service dogs of the blind, animals of the indigent and dogs used in law enforcement. All of these events contribute to societal needs and strengthen the human-animal bond.

Through these efforts, students are offered scholarship money from various industrial and professional organizations.

Admission Requirements

Students may enroll in UC Blue Ash College if they graduated from an accredited high school or preparatory school, or have a GED certificate (minimum composite score of 45). Students entering as first time freshmen must attend a new student orientation where they will also receive academic advising. All other students should contact their advisor directly upon confirming acceptance to the college and completion of placement tests.

New applicants can apply to the college and be admitted to the Pending Veterinary Technology Program (PVETN), non-degree program. New applicants may take the freshman courses in preparation for selective admission process.

Step 1.    Apply online for admission to the college and list Pending Veterinary Technology for your major.

Step 2.    Transcripts/test scores should be sent to the UC main campus for processing. Request high school transcripts/GED and all college transcripts (if applicable) to be sent to UC Office of Admissions. If a student is applying directly from high school, ACT or SAT scores should also be sent to UC Office of Admissions. If a student is not applying directly from high school, the SAT or ACT is not needed.

Transcripts should be sent to:
University of Cincinnati, Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091, Cincinnati OH 45221-0091

Step 3.    Take the Math Placement Test (MPT).

Step 4.    Take the college English Placement Test (EPT).

Step 5.    Meet with your Pending Vet Tech Advisor to determine what courses must be taken to meet the program's prerequisites. It is imperative that the students work with a PVETN Advisor when completing prerequisites courses.  Current and admitted students can locate advisor contact information for veterinary technology via the advising website.

Minimum Qualifications to Apply for Selective Admission

1. All required freshman year courses must be completed.
2. A GPA of 2.75 or better must be maintained for all courses, with a minimum of C in science courses.  This requirement is also enforced for any credit transferred into the VT program from another college.  If a student has non-vet tech required course work that is contributing to a GPA lower than a 2.75, the student is encouraged to contact the vet tech advisor to discuss their individual situation.  It may be possible to apply for a waiver to limit the effect of previous, non-required course work on the student's overall GPA.
3. Twenty (20) hours of veterinary-related experience, under the direction of a veterinarian or registered veterinary technician, must be completed. This requirement is to allow the potential student to obtain real-world experience regarding the veterinary profession, which may help solidify their decision to enter the profession. A veterinary experience document must be signed by the student’s supervisor and returned with the students' electronic applicaiton to the clinical year of the program.

Transferring to UC Requirements

College credits obtained from accredited colleges and universities outside the UC system will be transferred into the University of Cincinnati. To achieve this process, a formal application must be completed by the student, and a transfer credit evaluation will be produced by the college. Using this information, the student is encouraged to meet with the vet tech program academic advisor to inquire about their status in the program and to confirm which freshman-year requirements must be completed before entrance into the sophomore year of the program. All entrance requirements listed above, including the minimum grading criteria, must be met.  If a student has non-vet tech required course work that is contributing to a GPA lower than a 2.75, the student is encouraged to contact the vet tech advisor to discuss their individual situation.  It may be possible to apply for a waiver to limit the effect of previous, non-required course work on the student's overall GPA.

Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Students with previous UC college credits may transfer into the vet tech program after the completion of a Change of Major form, which can be filled out at any of the One Stop Student Service Centers within the university. Students ae also ancouraged to inform the vet tech program academic advisor of their desire to transfer and determine which freshman-year requirements must be met before admission to the sophomore year of the program.  All entrance requirements listed above, including the minimum grading criteria, must be met.  If a student has non-vet tech required course work that is contributing to a GPA lower than a 2.75, the student is encouraged to contact the vet tech advisor to discuss their individual situation.  It may be possible to apply for a waiver to limit the effect of previous, non-required course work on the student's overall GPA.

Application Deadlines

Students may begin completion of the freshman-year requirements at any time within the academic year. 

Veterinary Technology Selective Admission Criteria

Please see the Selective Admission area on the UC Blue Ash website for specific information and dates related to each year's selective admission window.

Additional selective admission criteria in addition to minimum requirements are:

• Reflective Essay – see selective admision page for specific informaion about reflective essay.

The Selection Process:  The program admissions committee will review the academic records, reflective essay and experience documentation for all students who meet the minimum selective admission criteria and complete the application process.  Using a rubric, the highest rankings will be given to students who are most successful in the following areas: 

Academic Criteria:

• Grades in college level math and English classes
• Grades in science courses (Biology, Chemistry and Microbiology)
• Completion of and grade in Vet Tech FYE, Medical Terminology and Effective Public Speaking courses
• Cumulative GPA

Additional rubric points will be given for:

• Attending a UCBA Vet Tech Information Session
• Amount and quality of volunteer and/or paid veterinary experience hours
• Essay (quality of content and context)

Note:  Applying to the Veterinary Technology Program does not guarantee admission.  A student may only apply to the Veterinary Technology Program two times.

Accreditation

The UC Blue Ash College veterinary technology program is fully accredited with the American Veterinary Medical Association. Written reports and site visits, which take place every six years by the accrediting committee, are part of the process. The VT program is also in compliance with the rules, regulations and policies of the USDA, NIH, University of Cincinnati IACUC and the University of Cincinnati Laboratory Animal Medical Services.