Program

Veterinary Technology (Diploma)

Domestic Applications

Fall 2023: Applications Closed

Fall 2024: Applications Open October 2, 2023

Fall 2024 Application Deadline - January 15th 2024

Faculty

Science & Technology

Department

Veterinary Technology

Credits

65.00

Length of Program

Two years

Credential Type

Diploma

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 Bursary 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:

A short VTEC Entrance Questionnaireupdate
A Task Observation Form (this will detail your minimum 80 hours of veterinary experience).
Structured Reference Letters (2)

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
A minimum of 50% (33 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
A minimum grade of "C" is required in all courses
In good academic standing
Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: 7 years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits.

Course Requirements:

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
Semester 1
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 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 III
VTEC 2112	Veterinary 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 (offered either semester III or IV)	2.00
Semester IV
VTEC 2311	Veterinary Nutrition (offered either semester III or IV)	2.00
VTEC 2313	Veterinary Nursing 3	3.00
VTEC 2304	Veterinary Surgical Assistance	4.00
VTEC 2315	Veterinary Genetics and Reproduction (offered either semester III or IV)	2.00
VTEC 2307	Lab Animal and Exotics	3.00
VTEC 2309	Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging	2.00
VTEC 2312	VTEC Practicum 3	2.00
Total 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.

September 2023 (Current)