Overview

Veterinary technicians are nurses for the veterinary profession. This six-semester program prepares students to enter a career as a veterinary technician in private veterinary practice, zoo/wildlife medicine, biomedical research, pharmaceutical sales, teaching, humane societies, raising livestock, or anywhere the health and welfare of animals is a concern. Students get their hands-on experience at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the programs graduates are eligible to sit for the state certification exam and the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science exam at the assistant technician level.

Application Requirements

Acceptance into the Veterinary Technology Program is dependent upon the following entrance requirements:

• Completed Harcum College application
• Official copy of high school transcript
• Official copies of all college transcripts, if applicable
• Completion of Algebra I and II, Biology, and Chemistry with earned grades of C or higher
• SAT scores - Scores for tests taken after April 1, 1995, will require a recentered minimum combined score of 900. Scores for tests taken prior to April 1, 1995, require a minimum combined score of 800.
• Letter of recommendation is required
• Personal essay
• TOEFL scores (for students for whom English is a second language)
• An interview is recommended
• Harcum Placement Tests: Candidates can take the Harcum Placement Tests in English, mathematics and reading. Testing is not required for admission, but all remedial coursework must be completed prior to enrollment in the program.

Course Sequence

ENG 101	Composition I	3 cr.
MTH 116	Pre-Calculus Algebra	3 cr.
CHE 111	General Chemistry I	3 cr.
VET 102	Introduction to Veterinary Technology	3 cr.
VET 109	Anatomy & Physiology of Domestic Animals I	4 cr.
IDS 101	Harcum Colloquium	1 cr.
		18 cr.

ENG 102	Composition II	3 cr.
VET 110	Anatomy & Physiology of Domestic Animals II	4 cr.
VET 235	Laboratory Animal Science	4 cr.
VET 117	Veterinary Clinical Pathology I	4 cr.
CIS 106	World Wide Web & Beyond	1 cr.
PED	Physical Education	1 cr.
		17 cr.

SOC	Social Science Elective	3 cr.
VET 118	Pharmacology/Anesthesia	3 cr.
VET 225	Principles of Medicine	3 cr.
VET 226	Radiation Surgery/Radiology	3 cr.
VET 240	Veterinary Clinical Chemistry II	4 cr.
PED	Physical Education	1 cr.

VET 230	Animal Management & Nutrition
-OR-
VET 227	Exotic Animal Management & Nutrition	3 cr.
VET 116	Veterinary Clinical Pathology III	4 cr.
VET 245	Advanced Nursing Skills	4 cr.
DIV	Diversity Elective	3 cr.
HUM	Humanities Elective	3 cr.
		17 cr.

VET 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 315, 316	Small Animal Practicum	15 cr.
		15 cr.

VET 314, 320, 321, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329	Large Animal Practicum	15 cr.
		15 cr.

Total number of credits: 99 credits

Two Practica

Veterinary Technology students are required to complete two 12-week practica, as follows: one at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, the University's small-animal hospital in Philadelphia and one at New Bolton Center, the University's large-animal hospital near Kennett Square, PA. These practica involve approximately 40 hours per week including weekend and evening duty.

The practica are undertaken after completion of all academic coursework. To attend, practicum students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher in Veterinary Technology courses as well as an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.

The student receives 15 academic credits for each practicum and is billed at the current tuition rate for each practicum plus applicable fees.

Public transportation to New Bolton Center is not available. Therefore, students are required to room at New Bolton or provide their own transportation.

Students must be vaccinated against rabies and have an up-to-date tetanus vaccine to attend practica.

Animal Center Management

Graduates of this program will be prepared for management careers at facilities where animals are maintained such as zoological parks, wildlife refuges, veterinary hospitals, kennels, humane societies, and research facilities. Included in the curriculum are business courses and general education courses which complement the major. Qualified students participate in an off-campus practicum during the final semester. The practicum site is tailored to the student's interests and needs. Previous sites include the Elmwood Park Zoo, Philadelphia Zoo, veterinary hospitals, and wildlife rehabilitation centers.

I would like to talk to an admissions counselor about this program.