Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Program

Advance your career in veterinary medicine.
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Program Type

Associate Degree

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Delivery Method

On Campus

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Course Length

Approximately
18 months

Program Objective

This associate degree program will give you the knowledge and training to work as an capable entry-level veterinary technician. Courses address both clinical training and administrative skills, including but not limited to medical terminology, animal anatomy, office management, examination techniques and the radiologic, dental and surgical procedures of animal care. Graduates of the program will be able to proficiently assist veterinarians in many different veterinary medicine environments.

Careers as a Veterinary Technician

When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.

Clinical Externships

At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.

In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.

Program Outline

Learn more about the courses in this program.

Program Outline for All Locations Except El Paso

Professional Sequence I

CCM 111
Communications*
MTH 129
Math Applications*
SCI 120
Foundations in Biology and Chemistry*
VTT 176
Introduction to Veterinary Technology*

Professional Sequence II

VTT 222
Food and Fiber Animal
VTT 224
Diagnostic Imaging for Veterinary Technicians
VTT 226
Small Animal Nursing for Veterinary Technicians

Professional Sequence III

VTT 232
Laboratory Animal Science
VTT 234
Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians
VTT 236
Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians

Professional Sequence IV

VTT 242
Dentistry Techniques
VTT 244
Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians
VTT 246
Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Technicians
VTT 248
Clinical Surgery and Lab

Professional Sequence V

VTT 252
Exotic Animal Medicine and Nursing
VTT 254
Equine Medicine and Nursing
VTT 256
Emergency Procedures
VTT 258
Clinic Surgery and Lab

Externship

VTT 262
Veterinary Technician Seminar*
VTT 291
Externship

*Program length: day classes total 77 weeks and evening classes total 86 weeks. The total number of program hours is 1,775 at all campuses except in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas campus program hours total 1,820 and includes one additional 3 credit class presented online or on-ground (HST 205 Nevada History and US Constitution). Graduates of this program are granted an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Program Outline for El Paso

Semester I

CCB 115
Computer Basics
VTA 127
Comparative Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Terminology
VTA 130
Clinical Lab Procedures and Pathology
VTA 132
Clinical Proficiency
VTA 165
Pharmacology and Principles of Anesthesia

Semester II

MT 100
Math Fundamentals
VTA 110
Office Procedures
VTA 133
Clinical Proficiency
VTA 150
Animal Life Stages, Nutrition and Husbandry
VTA 160
Animal Nursing and Diagnostic Imaging
VTA 170
Aseptic Technique and Surgical Assisting

Semester III

CCM 111
Communications
MTH 129
Math Applications
PSY 102
Introduction to Psychology
SCI 120
Foundations in Biology and Chemistry
VTT 176
Introduction to Veterinary Technolog
VTT 242
Dentistry Techniques

Semester IV

VTT 222
Food and Fiber Animal
VTT 224
Diagnostic Imaging for Veterinary Technicians
VTT 226
Small Animal Nursing
VTT 232
Laboratory Animal Science
VTT 236
Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians
VTT 239
Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians

Semester V

VTT 244
Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians
VTT 246
Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Technicians
VTT 252
Exotic Animal Medicine and Nursing
VTT 254
Equine Medicine and Nursing
VTT 256
Emergency Procedures
VTT 273
Clinical Proficiency

Externship and Seminar

VTT 262
Veterinary Technician Seminar
VTT 292
Externship

Interested In Starting This Program?

Find out more about our Admissions Requirements or view our How to Apply page.

Success Is Within Reach

We are truly invested in making sure our students succeed.

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“After graduation, I took a position at a clinic in Galveston where the veterinary medical director worked at Moody Gardens, a resort and educational nature facility with an aquarium and rainforest. I have been able to work part time at the resort and I’ve just been offered a full-time position working at Moody Gardens as a zoo and marine technician.”

Sara Post, Veterinary Technician Graduate

Pima Medical Blog

Check out our blog posts about the Veterinary Technician program. We provide insights, information, alumni spotlights, news and other valuable articles to keep you updated.

Disclosures And Accreditations

Excel Your Career as a Veterinary Technician