Program Description
The Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology prepares students to perform veterinary procedures under the supervision of a veterinarian. Veterinary technicians are primarily employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals.
New students applying to Black Hawk College should select the AAS/General Occupational and Technical Studies (GOTS) until such time as they have been officially accepted by the department into this program.
Admission requirements
- High school graduation or equivalent.
- A physical examination prior to any clinical coursework.
- The applicant will shadow a CVT, LVT, or RVT for a minimum of 40 hours in an animal care facility under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. A completion form must be signed by the CVT, LVT, or RVT and veterinarian prior to application.
- VT Application Process: students are strongly encouraged to get their application in early, as this selection process begins in January and is very competitive. Applications will be accepted starting September 1. Applicants are interviewed and reviewed for selection in the order in which the program received their application. The program admits up to 32 students each fall. Applications are available online.
- Students wishing to apply after March 1 should contact the program director.
- Interview with VT selection committee: the interview is part of a written and oral selection process.
- A rabies vaccination is required prior to admission and required by many clinical sites.
- All students must achieve grades of “C” or above in all courses required for the Veterinary Technology program.
- Students must achieve a grade of “C” or above in all VT courses to continue in the program. Final grades below a “C” will result in dismissal from the program.
Readmission is at the discretion of the program director and as space permits.
Students must also successfully document all job shadowing, health and background checks required by academic departments and/or clinical sites prior to admission to program and/or courses.
Vet Tech application due March 1, 2024 (PDF)
Discover careers and salaries for this program
Accreditation
The Veterinary Technology Program at Black Hawk College has received initial accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s CVTEA.
Any comments regarding this program may be directed to:
Center for Veterinary Medical Education Accreditation
American Veterinary Medical Association
931 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173
800/248-2862 ext. 6624
avma.org
Student achievement data
3-Year Veterinary Technician National Examination Pass Percentage
| July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023 | |
| Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE | 23 |
| Three-year VTNE pass percentage | 48% |
The three-year pass percentage on VTNE is calculated as follows: X/Y * 100 = Three-year pass percentage whereby X is the number of first time candidates that passed the VTNE and Y is the number of first time candidates that have taken the VTNE.
Veterinary Technician National Examination Pass Rates by Year
| Year | Total Students | Passed | % Pass |
| 2020 | 6 | 4 | 67% |
| 2021 | 8 | 4 | 50% |
| 2022 | 9 | 3 | 33% |
| 2023 | 13 | 13 | 100% |
| Overall average | 36 | 24 | 67% |
Suggested Courses
Recommended Courses Prior to Application
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| AG 141 Animal Science | 4 |
| AG 142 Animal Nutrition | 3 |
| CS 100 Introduction to Computers | 3 |
| EQ 151 Horse Production & Management | 4 |
| EQ 253 Horse Health Care | 4 |
| SPEC 101 Principles of Speech Communication | 3 |
Program Prerequisites
Courses required for admission to the Veterinary Technology program (completed or in-progress).
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| VT 100 Intro to Veterinary Technology | 2 |
| ENG 101 Composition I | 3 |
| Social Science Category or AG 281 Agricultural Economics |
3-4 |
| BIOL100 Introduction to Biology or BIOL 101 General Human Biology or BIOL 105 General Biology I |
4 |
| CHEM 101 General Chemistry I or CHEM 110 Introduction to Chemistry |
4 |
First Semester
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| VT 102 Communication in Vet Practice | 3 |
| VT 110 Vet Tech Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| VT 115 Small Animal Health Care I | 3 |
| VT 123 Vet Tech Math | 3 |
| VT 140 Microbiology & Parasitology | 3 |
Second Semester
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| VT 111 Vet Tech Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| VT 116 Small Animal Health Care II | 3 |
| VT 130 Repro, Nutrition & Production | 3 |
| VT 150 Lab & Exotic Animal Care | 3 |
| VT 160 Vet Tech Pharmacology | 3 |
Summer Semester
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| VT 166 Clinical Preceptorship | 2 |
| VT 170 Anesthesia & Surgical Prep | 2 |
Third Semester
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| VT 203 Vet Ethics & Critical Thinking | 2 |
| VT 210 Vet Tech Diagnostic Imaging | 3 |
| VT 215 Large Animal Health Care | 3 |
| VT 240 Clin Path & Lab Procedures I | 3 |
| VT 270 Vet Tech Surgery & Nursing | 5 |
Fourth Semester
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| VT 202 Veterinary Office Practices | 3 |
| VT 222 National Board (VTNE) Review | 2 |
| VT 241 Clin Path & Lab Procedures II | 3 |
| VT 266 Vet Tech Clinical Internship | 4 |
Minimum total hours required for degree: 80