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Veterinary Technology – Associate of Applied Science

(Six-Semester Program)

The MSU veterinary technology associate program is approved by the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Graduates are eligible to write the National Board Examination for state licensure as a credentialed Veterinary Technician or Technologist.

The veterinary technology program has a selective admission policy, which is separate from and in addition to the University's admission procedures. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the veterinary technology program.

In addition to acceptance by the University, applicants must apply for admission to the veterinary technology associate program and meet the following criteria:

Admission Requirements

Note: Enrollment in the core veterinary technology curriculum will be limited to 40 students.
  1. Admission to Morehead State University.
  2. Admission to Veterinary Technology Program.
    1. Prerequisite Courses and GPA Requirements:
      1. Students entering the core veterinary technology curriculum from the pre-vet tech curriculum must have a college GPA of 2.8 or greater in non-developmental, college level courses 100-level or above to be accepted into the veterinary technology program and a 2.6 or greater GPA in specified science and math courses (MATH 131 or higher approved general education math, BIOL 105, and CHEM 101 or higher). Grades in required AGR, BIOL, CHEM and MATH courses must be "C" or better.
      2. Transfer students must have a college GPA of 2.8 or greater in 12 or more hours of non-developmental, college level courses 100-level or above to be accepted into the veterinary technology program and a 2.6 or greater GPA in specified science and math courses (MATH 131 or higher approved general education math, BIOL 105 or transfer equivalent, and CHEM 101 or higher). Grades in required BIOL, CHEM and MATH courses must be "C" or better.
      3. Approved non-developmental, college-level course work may include:
        • General education courses applicable to the Veterinary Technology Associate Degree Program;
        • Animal science, biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer skills, medical terminology, office management or ethics.
    2. All applicants:
      1. Minimum 120 hours of documented veterinary supervised work/volunteer experience.
      2. Written recommendation from the above veterinarian.
      3. Complete the Periodic Animal Contact Health Assessment (PACHA).
        • Veterinary Technology students must possess the health, physical capability, and risk assessment compatible with working with live animals in a veterinary medical context. The PACHA requirements are designed to assure adequate ability to work with live animals, perform the required tasks and avoid undue risk of injury or disease.
        • Confidentiality of PACHA status: It is not required that any student divulge confidential medical information to the program faculty. They must only verify, through their physician, that they meet the PACHA requirements.
        • Compliance in MSU Occupational Health for Animal Workers program which includes risk training, risk assessment, and tetanus and pre-exposure rabies immunization requirements.
Physical Capabilities:
  1. Vision capabilities:
    1. Normal or corrected refraction within the ranges of 20/20 to 20/190.
    2. Be able to distinguish color shade changes.
  2. Auditory capabilities: Possess normal or corrected hearing ability within 0 to 45 decibel range.
  3. Tactile capabilities: Possess in at least one hand the ability to perceive temperature change and pulsations and to differentiate between various textures and structures.
  4. Language capabilities: Possess the ability to verbally communicate.
  5. Motor capabilities: Possess four functional limbs (normal or artificial) which allow the following actions:
    1. Grasp securely with at least one hand;
    2. Stand for long periods of time;
    3. Walk unassisted.
  6. Health Requirements:
    1. Mental Health: Possess the ability to adapt to environment, function in everyday activities, and cope with stressors.
    2. Immunization requirements: Current immunization against the following:
      1. Rabies
      2. Tetanus
    3. Risk Assessment:
      1. Bites and scratches: Prior to handling any animals, students must verify that they are not subject to any undue risk from animal bites and scratches.
      2. Radiation risk assessment: Prior to beginning the second year of the VET sequence, students must verify that they are not subject to any undue risk from assisting with diagnostic radiography procedures on animals.
    4. Verification and Maintenance of PACHA Requirements:
      1. Applicants must provide verification of the PACHA requirements by completion of the Veterinary Technology PACHA Form.
      2. The PACHA requirements must be maintained throughout the student's enrollment in the program.
        • At the discretion of the program faculty, students may be requested to have their PACHA requirements reevaluated at any point in the program.
        • Students in the program are required to notify their physician of any significant change in their PACHA status that may place them at increased risk (e.g., pregnancy) and submit a new PACHA form.

Program Competencies

Students receiving an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology should possess competencies in the following areas as defined by the American Veterinary Medical Association:

  1. General Competencies:
    1. Written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
    2. Applied mathematical skills applicable to the field of veterinary technology.
    3. An awareness of the physical and biological concepts applicable to the field of veterinary technology.
    4. An appreciation of the liberal arts.
  2. Specific Competencies:
    1. Anesthesia, including induction, monitoring and instrumentation.
    2. Animal husbandry, including restraint, behavior, species and breed identification, reproduction, sex determination and human-animal bonding.
    3. Diseases, preventive medicine (including dentistry), and nursing of companion animals, food-production animals, horses and laboratory animals.
    4. Economics of veterinary practice.
    5. Ethics, professionalism and legal applications in veterinary medicine.
    6. Humane animal care and management.
    7. Basic laboratory animal technology.
    8. Medical terminology.
    9. Necropsy techniques.
    10. Nutrition and principles of feeding.
    11. Orientation to the vocation of veterinary technology.
    12. Pharmacology for veterinary technicians.
    13. Principles of imaging, including radiography and ultrasonography.
    14. Professional organizations and continuing education for graduate technicians.
    15. Surgical nursing and assisting, including instrumentation.
    16. Technician utilization and team concepts of healthcare delivery.
    17. Veterinary anatomy and physiology.
    18. Veterinary clinical pathology and parasitology.
    19. Veterinary microbiology and immunology.
    20. Veterinary office management.
    21. Elementary computer skills pertaining to veterinary technology.
    22. Zoonoses, occupational health hazards and waste disposal.
  3. In addition, students should have the skills necessary to assume responsibility for self-development and lifelong learning in the field of veterinary technology.

Assessment

  1. Advisory Board consultation
  2. Evaluation by accrediting organization (AVMA)
  3. Exit examination
  4. Survey of employers
  5. Survey of graduates
  6. Graduate performance on national board examinations


Program Requirements

General Education

Students must complete the general education requirements for an Associate of Applied Sciences degree. Any course approved by the University for each of the following categories may be taken, unless otherwise specified:

MATH 131 or higherMATH General Education

3
ENG 100Writing I

3
ENG 200Writing II

3
COMS 108Fundamentals of Speech Communication

3
FYS 101First Year Seminar

3
Total Credit Hours:15

Associate Requirements

AGR 133Introduction to Animal Science

3
AGR 143Anatomy and Physiology of Livestock

3
BIOL 105Biology for Your Life

3
CHEM 101 or 111(choose one)

4
VET 108Veterinary Clinical Anatomy

3
VET 112Animal Care Techniques I

4
VET 213Animal Care Techniques II

4
VET 218Introduction to Veterinary Laboratory Techniques

4
VET 219Surgical Nursing

3
VET 245Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology

4
VET 246Anesthesia and Analgesia

2
VET 257Concepts of Large Animal Diseases I

2
VET 258Small Animal Medicine and Surgery I

2
VET 259Veterinary Clinical Pathology I

2
VET 260Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

2
VET 261Large Animal Clinics I

1
VET 262Small Animal Clinics I

1
VET 264Veterinary Clinical Pathology Clinics I

1
VET 265Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Clinics I

1
VET 301Emergency and Critical Care

2
VET 357Concepts of Large Animal Diseases II

2
VET 358Small Animal Medicine and Surgery II

2
VET 359Veterinary Clinical Pathology II

2
VET 363Veterinary Preceptorship

1
VET 364Veterinary Clinical Pathology Clinics II

1
VET 365Veterinary Dentistry Clinics

1
VET 366Veterinary Dentistry

2
VET 367Large Animal Clinics II

1
VET 368Small Animal Clinics II

1
VET 399CVeterinary Technician Seminar

1
Total Credit Hours:65

Total Credit Hours: 65

Academic Progress Statement

Once admitted to the program, students must demonstrate adequate academic progress by earning a grade of "C" or better in all required VET courses.

Any required VET course in which a grade less than "C" is earned must be repeated with a grade of "C" or better prior to advancing in the program.

Dismissal from the program:

A student will be dismissed from the program for any of the following situations:

  1. Earning a grade less than "C" or withdrawing while failing from the same required VET course more than once;
  2. Earning a a grade less than "C" or withdrawing while failing from two different required VET courses;
  3. Inability to complete the program within four academic years of beginning the program.

Reinstatement to the program

Once dismissed from the program, a student must reapply to the program and be readmitted. Readmitted students must complete all courses in the VET sequence as if starting for the first time.

Reinstatement into the program is not automatic. Reapplicants must demonstrate both the aptitude and motivation to succeed in the program. Those seeking reinstatement to the VET course sequence must do the following:

By May 30:

  1. Submit transcripts of college courses at the end of the current semester (unofficial copy of transcripts is acceptable).
  2. Provide the name and address of the veterinary facility where obtaining additional work experience. Include the dates and hours per week.
  3. Submit a letter explaining what will be done differently to succeed in the VT program if reinstated. This should include plans for study, time management, etc.

By July 15:

  1. Submit a letter describing in detail work experience during the past 12 months and explaining why you wish to become a credentialed veterinary technician.
  2. Complete any HPCR requirements that are not current (e.g., rabies vaccinations).

Failure to meet the above deadlines will cancel the reapplication process. Readmission will be granted only if the above criteria are met to the satisfaction of the VT faculty and there are class seats available.

Reapplicants will be notified on Aug. 1 whether their petition for readmission has been granted.

Students (including transfers) entering the Bachelor of Science - Area in Veterinary Technology program must have completed a degree from an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program. Those students that have completed the AAS in Veterinary Technology from Morehead State University may be able to complete the VT-BS degree in two additional semesters with careful planning and counsel from their advisor.

Note: Enrollment will be limited to 40 students.