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RVT - Veterinary
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Department Chair
Savanah St. Clair,
MS, Plant Science
(818) 710-4250
RVT Program Director
Jennifer Adelini, DVM
Pre-veterinary Faculty Advisor
Lu Dao, DVM
LICENSING
RVT Exam
VTNE Pass Rates
AVMA Accreditation
Registered Veterinary Technology
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Horse/Equine Science Faculty
Advisor
Patricia Warner
Pierce College’s Pre-Veterinary
Program prepares you for direct
transfer into a graduate school of
Veterinary Medicine, saving you two
years of college!
Plant Science Associate
Degree for Transfer
Click here for a tour of our Veterinary Teaching Clinic
VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY - Associate of Science Degree
Associate Degree requirements must be completed with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
LA Pierce College
Licensing Exam Pass Rates
Veterinary Technician National Exam
July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020
Number of first time candidates
that have taken the exam
92
Three year pass rate for first time test takers
81.5 %
Details
Co-Directors, Veterinary Technology Program: Dr. Jennifer Adelini and Dr. Rebecca Yates
For information regarding the program, contact Dr. Adelini at [email protected]
Earning an AS degree in Veterinary Technology from Pierce College qualifies a student to sit for the
Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). 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: general education, entry-level, and advanced classes. Prior to
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being permitted to enroll in advanced classes, students must complete all prerequisites and submit
prerequisite verification forms to the RVT Program Director. Students must earn at least a “C” in
all categories of classes. The advanced-level coursework can be completed in two years, (including
summer sessions), but many 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. Please see the FAQ section
below for more details.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (to be completed prior to graduation)
Humanities - 3 units
Health - 2 units
PE - 1 unit
Social and Behavioral Sciences (B1 and B2)
English
Math (intermediate algebra)
*It is strongly recommended that the English and Math requirements be met prior to beginning
the Advanced-Level Program, as these skills will be utilized regularly.
ENTRY-LEVEL REQUIREMENTS UNITS (Prerequisites - to be completed prior to beginning
the Advanced-Level Program)
VETTECH 180 Animal Care Experience
ANML SC 181A Field Work
VETTECH 401 Intro to Vet Tech
ANML SC 501 Principles of Animal Science
ANML SC 510 Animal Health & Disease Control
ANML SC 511 Anatomy and Physiology of Animals
ANML SC 512 Anatomy/Physiology of Animals Laboratory
BIO 3 Introduction to Biology
Chemistry 51
Microbiology 20
ADVANCED-LEVEL VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY COURSES:
VETTECH 410/411 Small Animal Nursing I Lecture and Lab
VETTECH 412/413 Small Animal Nursing II Lecture and Lab
VETTECH 435/436 Veterinary Radiography Lecture and Lab
VETTECH 420/421 Clinical Procedures I Lecture and Lab
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VETTECH 422/423 Clinical Procedures II Lecture and Lab
VETTECH 424 Dentistry for Veterinary Technicians Lecture and Lab
VETTECH 430/431 Clinical Pathology Lecture and Lab
VETTECH 441 Large Animal Nursing Lecture and Lab
VETTECH 470 Lab Animal Care Lecture and Lab
VETTECH 480 and 481 Clinical Experience for Veterinary Technicians
APPROVAL PROCESS FOR ADVANCED-LEVEL PROGRAM
Students must complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better. All prerequisites must
be completed or in-progress at the time of application; in other words, they must be completed
by the end of the Spring semester in which you are applying, not during the following
Summer. Prerequisite Verification Forms may be submitted during the semester in which
prerequisite courses will be completed. Forms are available online on the VTSSR Canvas site in
April of each year. To self-enroll in the VTSSR site, please click here: VTSSR self-enrollment. 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. Deadline to submit forms to start the advanced program in Fall 2021 is May
7, 2021.
Students who have taken courses at schools outside of LACCD must have their previous
coursework approved for credit through the Academic Counseling Office prior to submitting
Verification Forms. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a veterinary technician?
Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs), also referred to as Veterinary Nurses, provide nursing
care for animals under the direction of a veterinarian. They perform a variety of tasks, such as
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drawing blood, taking x-rays, monitoring anesthesia, and administering medications. By law, only
licensed technicians can perform certain tasks, such as placing sutures in the skin, inducing
anesthesia, placing splints and casts, and extracting teeth. They are NOT allowed to diagnose,
prescribe treatment, or perform surgery -- these tasks can only be performed by a veterinarian.
More information on Veterinary Technicians can be found on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-technologists-and-technicians.htm
How do I became a student in the RVT Program?
1. Enroll as a student at Pierce College.
2. Complete the Entry-level Courses that are required for the program with a grade of C or
better.
3. Complete the verification forms and meet with the Program Director during Spring semester to
ensure that all requirements have been met. You will also discuss scheduling of the
Advanced-level courses.
Students who successfully complete all of these steps will qualify to enroll in Advanced-level
courses. However, understand that qualifying for the program does not guarantee a spot in any
advanced-level course. Enrollment is dependent on registration priority and demand for the course.
How many students can enroll in the RVT Program?
The Advanced-level Program can accommodate up to 32 incoming students per year.
Is there a wait list for the RVT Program?
No. The online registration system has wait lists for individual courses, however, we do not maintain
a wait list for the program as a whole. If a student is unsuccessful in obtaining a spot in the first-
semester courses, they will need to attempt to enroll again in the next Fall semester.
Do you offer an online program?
No. Two Advanced-level Courses, 480 and 481, typically have an online component. However, the
majority of coursework for the Veterinary Technology degree must be completed on campus.
Classes generally take place during daytime hours, although evening courses are occasionally
available.
Do you have to be enrolled full-time?
No. The Advanced-level program generally requires between 6 and 9 units per semester. Students
can take more units by taking classes in other disciplines if they like, or in order to meet additional
requirements such as minimums needed for financial aid or international student status.
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What is the cost of the program?
The cost for RVT courses is the same as other classes at Pierce College, $46 per unit. The major
has 58 required units, plus general education requirements of approximately 20-30 units.
How long does it take to complete the program?
Entry-level coursework can be completed in one year, but most students will need about 2 years to
finish it. The Advanced-level program will require 5 semesters, including 1 summer session, to
complete if all courses are taken as recommended. Total time to complete the degree is typically
between 3-4 years, however, this is dependent on how many units the student chooses to take each
semester and availability of classes.
Do I need to complete the general education requirements before starting the Advanced
Program?
No. Only the Entry-level requirements must be completed or in-progress at the time of application.
GE courses can be taken at any time prior to graduation. Students may choose to take them with
their Entry-level courses or while taking Advanced-level courses, or both.
Will this program qualify me to become licensed and earn the title of Registered Veterinary
Technician?
Yes. The program at Pierce College is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association
(AVMA). Students who complete the program and obtain the Associate’s degree in Veterinary
Technology are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). Passage of this
exam is required to become licensed.
I’ve taken classes at another school. Will my previous coursework be transferable?
Classes that might satisfy the Animal Science prerequisite requirements can be assessed by the
Program Director to determine whether they are likely to be accepted for credit, however, students
will need to meet with an Academic Counselor in order to obtain official approval. For all other
courses, students are advised to consult the Counseling Office. General Education courses will be
solely evaluated by the Counseling Office.
I have already completed courses through another RVT program. Can I transfer my
coursework to the program at Pierce?
While all programs must cover the same information, they may arrange it among their courses
differently. In order to obtain credit, there must be a one-to-one match between courses in the
material and skills that are covered. This is frequently not the case, and students are often surprised
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to find that they are not able to transfer as much credit as they were expecting. Meeting with the
Program Director to evaluate transcripts and course descriptions is recommended, but credit will
ultimately be conferred by the Counseling Office.
My ultimate goal is to become a veterinarian. Should I complete the RVT Program first?
None of the courses required for the RVT Program will satisfy the prerequisites needed to apply to
veterinary school. While experience working as an RVT may provide some advantage, the added
time it will take to complete the degree is a definite disadvantage. While most veterinary schools will
consider applicants without a degree, the vast majority of those accepted have a Bachelor’s degree
or higher. The two years that it would take to complete the Advanced-level courses could be used to
complete a Bachelor’s degree, which would make an individual a much more competitive candidate.
Completing the RVT Program will delay your ability to apply by several years, without significantly
increasing your chances of being accepted.
Los Angeles Pierce College 6201 Winnetka Ave. Woodland Hills, California 91371 Phone: (818) 710-4100 | Current Accreditation Status
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