Program

Veterinary Technology (Diploma)


Domestic Applications

Fall 2023: Applications Closed

Fall 2024: Applications Open October 2, 2023

Campus
Coquitlam
Learning Format
Full-time
Admission Type
Limited Enrolment
Offered
Fall

Overview

Become a valuable member of the veterinary medical team with the two-year Diploma in Veterinary Technology. You'll get both theoretical and practical training in medical and surgical nursing, anesthesia, anatomy and physiology, radiography, dentistry, laboratory procedures, nutrition, pharmacology, workplace communications and more.

You'll get hands-on experience working with small and large animals on campus or at off-site facilities including veterinary clinics, stables, farms and animal care centres.

Get certified

Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to write the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Once you have passed the exam, you can register in Canada and in many parts of the United States as a Registered Veterinary Technologist.

All graduates of the Douglas VTEC program will be eligible for the Kristianson Veterinary Technology National Exam Award to cover the cost of the exam.

Get paid, full-time work experience during your studies

Put your skills to work by joining the optional Co-operative Education Program, which alternates semesters of study with paid, full-time work in your field. You’ll earn money while gaining experience, building your resume and getting an employer reference, all before you graduate. To participate in Co-op you need to plan two semesters in advance, so we strongly recommend contacting the Co-op Office at the start of your program.

International students are not currently eligible for this program. For more international information, contact Douglas College International.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

  • General College Admission Requirements
  • Government regulations and program policy require students to be a minimum age of 18 years by December 31 of year of program start
  • Completion of the following courses (or equivalents) by the application deadline (exception for secondary school students). Official transcripts required (photocopies or electronic copies are not accepted):
    • Chemistry 11 with a minimum of C+ (Chemistry 12 with a minimum of C+ fulfills this requirement)
    • Biology 11 with a minimum of C+ (Biology 12 with a minimum of C+ fulfils this requirement)
    • One grade 12 Science course with a minimum of C+ (Chemistry 12, Biology 12, Geology 12, Physics 12)
    • Foundations of Math 11, Pre-Calculus 11 or Pre-calculus 12 with a minimum of C

After official transcripts have been reviewed by Enrolment Services determining that you have met the program academic prerequisites, the following additional program documents are required:

All of the above documentation must be received by the program application deadline date. It is then reviewed and ranked. Applicants may be invited for an interview. 

Cost

You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page. 

Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.

Program Requirements

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements

  • Successful completion of 65 credits
  • 25% (17 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
  • A minimum grade of "C" is required in all courses
  • A minimum program GPA of 2.0 is required

Course Requirements:

Course Number Course Title Credits

Semester I

VTEC 1101

Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 1

3.00

VTEC 1102

Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 1

3.00

VTEC 1103

Veterinary Nursing 1

3.00

VTEC 1112

Veterinary Administrative Procedures

3.00

CMNS 1111

Workplace Communications for Veterinary Technology

3.00

MATH 1183

Mathematics for Veterinary Technology

2.00

Semester I Total Credits

 

17.00

Semester II

VTEC 1201

Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 2

3.00

VTEC 1202

Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 2

4.00

VTEC 1203

Veterinary Nursing 2

3.00

VTEC 1204

Veterinary Pharmacology

3.00

VTEC 1205

Veterinary Diseases

3.00

Semester II Total Credits

 

 16.00

Semester III

VTEC 2112

Elective Procedures

3.00

VTEC 2107

Large Animal Clinics

3.00

VTEC 2108

Veterinary Anesthesia

3.00

VTEC 2109

Veterinary Radiography

3.00

VTEC 2110

Animal Behavior and Welfare

2.00

Semester III Total Credits

 

14.00

Semester IV

 

VTEC 2311

Animal Nutrition

2.00

VTEC 2313

Veterinary Nursing 3 

3.00

VTEC 2304

Veterinary Surgical Assistance

4.00

VTEC 2315

Veterinary Genetics and Reproduction

2.00

VTEC 2307

Lab Animal and Exotics Clinics

3.00

VTEC 2309

Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

2.00

VTEC 2312

Veterinary Technology Practicum

2.00

Semester IV Total Credits

 

18.00

Total Program Credits

 

65.00

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Testimonials

Student Quote

For the love of animals

VTEC students get hands on with critters big and small.

More Information

Tuition deposit

When offered a seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required. 

Career Pathways

Career opportunities include:

  • Veterinarian Assistant 
  • Animal Operating Room Attendant 
  • Laboratory Animals/Vet Lab Technician 
  • Registered veterinary technician (RVT) 
  • Animal Care Technologist 
  • Veterinary Technologist 
  • Animal Health Technician 
  • Animal Caretaker 
  • Animal Services Worker 
  • Zookeeper 
  • Receiving Barn Custodian