Veterinary Technician, AAS

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Vet and technician in an exam with a large dog, looking into animal's mouth and cleaning with a swab

Veterinary technicians serve a vital role in the agriculture, animal health, and medical research industries in South Dakota and throughout the region. Veterinary technicians support veterinarians by assisting in the evaluation and treatment of basic health, injuries and/or illness of large and small animals.

Veterinary technicians can work in agricultural production settings, laboratories, research facilities, animal hospitals and clinics.

Southeast Technical College is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) as a program for educating veterinary technicians

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS: This degree is a Bring Your Own Laptop (BYOL) program. You may purchase a laptop on your own or from the Southeast Tech IT Support Center.

Program Curriculum | 65 Credits Minimum

Core Program Courses

GEN ED REQ - Veterinary Technician Natural Sciences Requirement 7 Credit Hours
VET 110 - Intro to Veterinary Technology 3 Credit Hours
VET 117 - Veterinary Medical Terminology 1 Credit Hours
VET 120 - Veterinary Laboratory I 3 Credit Hours
VET 122 - Veterinary Laboratory II 4 Credit Hours
VET 125 - Veterinary Pharmacology 3 Credit Hours
VET 131 - Imaging 2 Credit Hours
VET 131L - Imaging Lab 1 Credit Hours
VET 135 - Lab Animals and Exotics 2 Credit Hours
VET 136 - Large Animals I 3 Credit Hours
VET 200 - Veterinary Nursing and Diseases I 3 Credit Hours
VET 210 - Anesthesiology & Pain Management 3 Credit Hours
VET 210L - Anesthesiology & Pain Management Lab 1 Credit Hours
VET 215 - Surgical Assisting 2 Credit Hours
VET 215L - Surgical Assisting Lab 1 Credit Hours
VET 216 - Veterinary Dentistry 2 Credit Hours
VET 216L - Veterinary Dentistry Lab 1 Credit Hours
VET 220 - Veterinary Nursing & Diseases II 3 Credit Hours
VET 236 - Large Animals II 3 Credit Hours
VET 290S - VTNE Review & Clinical 6 Credit Hours

General Education Requirements

GEN ED REQ - Veterinary Technician Communications Requirement 3 Credit Hours
GEN ED REQ - Veterinary Technician Computer/Humanities/Social Sciences Requirement 3 Credit Hours
GEN ED REQ - Veterinary Technician Mathematics Requirement 3 or 4 Credit Hours
SSS 100 - Student Success Seminar 2 Credit Hours

Additional Information

Students entering a program in any semester other than outlined may not graduate in the expected amount of time.

A grade of “C” or higher is required in all Veterinary Technician Program courses to advance to the next semester in the program. Students not successful in achieving a 70% or higher in a course the second time will be referred for evaluation for academic success which could result in excusal from the veterinary technician program.