Veterinary Technology (A.A.S.)

Veterinary Technology (A.A.S.)
Students working with animals in the clinic
 

Train to become an animal nurse and qualify to become credentialed in our American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited program.

About the Veterinary Technology program

CVTEA logo

What is veterinary technology?

Veterinary technology, prepares students to become veterinary technicians. Veterinary technicians are animal nurses. They assist veterinarians in the comprehensive medical care of their animal patients and work in all aspects of veterinary care — from phlebotomy to radiography to anesthesia to dentistry. Veterinary technicians are a vital part of the veterinary team. The only things that vet techs cannot do legally are to diagnose disease, prescribe treatment, or perform surgery, all of which are the job of the veterinarian. Students can continue with post-graduate specialization in areas such as anesthesia and surgical assisting, behavior and emergency medicine.

Why study veterinary technology at UNH?

The veterinary technology program at UNH is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and graduates are qualified to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam and pursue credentialing. The program is very hands-on, and students work with animals from day one. UNH has extraordinary access to large animals with both equine and dairy herds on campus. Small animal clinical work takes place both on campus in the program’s full-service PAWS Veterinary Clinic and off campus in local animal shelters. After obtaining an associate degree in veterinary technology, qualified students may then transfer to the university’s four-year animal science major and obtain a bachelor’s degree in two additional years with a full-time course of study.

Potential Careers

  • Biomedical research laboratories
  • Humane societies/shelters
  • Post-graduate specialization
  • Private veterinary hospitals
  • Veterinary industry/government
  • Zoo and wildlife centers
Contact

Program Coordinator - Vet Tech
CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Phone: (603) 862-1014
Office: Thompson School of Applied Science, Barton Hall Rm 132, Durham, NH 03824

The PAWS Veterinary Clinic at UNH

  • UNH student Megann Sullivan
    Four years, two degrees
    Megann Sullivan is currently pursuing her associate degree in veterinary technology and plans to move to the four-year biomedical sciences: medical and veterinary sciences major following graduation.
    Learn More
  • UNH veterinary technology major Margaret Frye '20
    Learning to speak for those who can’t
    Margaret Frye '20 is a veterinary technology major from New Bern, North Carolina. Her childhood dog Alice gave her the chance to see firsthand the profound impact that pets can have on the lives of their humans, and she the motivating force behind Margaret’s chosen course of study. COLSA: What has made UNH the right fit…
    Learn More
  • UNH veterinary technology student Lucy Williams '20
    Preparing for a Career Caring for Animals
    Meet Lucy Williams, a veterinary technology major from Derry, New Hampshire, who knows that veterinary nurses play a significant role in animal care and well being.
    Learn More
  • UNH Veterinary Technology student Zach Beckwith
    An Introvert No More
    The once-reserved Zach Beckwith '19 is a different person than he was when he arrived on campus, thanks to a newfound confidence.
    Learn More
  • UNH Veterinary Technology student Alyssa Wilson
    A Change that Made Everything Clear
    Alyssa Wilson didn’t grow up planning to become a veterinary technician. In fact, she says, she hated the idea.  Find out why she changed her mind.
    Learn More

Curriculum & Requirements

The primary goal of the veterinary technology program is to provide students with exceptional technical and clinical reasoning skills and knowledge in veterinary technology such that graduates will be prepared to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and to be immediate and valuable members of a veterinary medical team. Additionally, the program aims to develop a firm foundation in both farm animal and companion animal veterinary practices. Courses in the program cover basic sciences, veterinary nursing, and veterinary practice management, with a strong focus on hands-on practical knowledge throughout the curriculum. Students gain basic knowledge and skills for the major domestic animal species (dog, cat, horse, and cow). Integration of knowledge in communication, veterinary ethical and legal issues, veterinary practice management, clinical reasoning skills, and hands-on technical skills allow students to become complete veterinary technicians, capable of providing high-quality, compassionate, and expert care to animals both small and large.

Practical learning experience is provided at the PAWS Veterinary Teaching Clinic, the UNH Equine Facilities and the Thomas P. Fairchild Dairy Teaching and Research Center. The program has a number of animal-related educational partnerships, including those with the New Hampshire SPCA in Stratham, N.H., and the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Cocheco Valley in Dover, N.H.

The program is accredited by the AVMA. Students who graduate from an accredited program are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and pursue credentialing. 

 

Veterinary Technology Program of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
AAS 428 Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals 4
CHEM 411 Introductory Chemistry for Life Sciences 4
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
VTEC 424 Introduction to Veterinary Technology 2
VTEC 430 Companion Animal Behavior and Handling Techniques 4
 Credits18
Spring
VTEC 435 Animal Health and Laboratory Diagnostics 4
VTEC 449 Clinical Animal Nursing Techniques I 4
VTEC 565 Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians 4
Quantiative Reasoning 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
AAS 421 Large Animal Behavior and Handling Techniques 2
VTEC 497 Veterinary Technology Work Experience 0
VTEC 550 Clinical Animal Nursing Techniques II 4
VTEC 575 Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgical Assisting 4
VTEC 579 Small Animal Practicum I 4
 Credits14
Spring
VTEC 580 Small Animal Practicum II 4
VTEC 583 Large Animal Practicum 2
VTEC 595 Veterinary Technology Internship 3
VTEC 599 Comprehensive VTNE Review 4
Social Science 4
 Credits17
 Total Credits65

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 64 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 16 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery Program

Major, Option, and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Veterinary Technology Requirements

Students must demonstrate all of the following for retention in and completion of the veterinary technology program:

  1. Courses must be completed in proper sequence, according to pre-requisites listed in the course catalog.
  2. To progress in the program, students must: 
    1. Earn a minimum of 70% on their exam average in each VTEC course.
    2. Earn a minimum of 80% on their skills grades in VTEC 579 and VTEC 580.
    3. Receive a minimum grade of C+ (2.33 grade point) or better in all required AAS and VTEC courses.   
  3. Students who fail to meet retention requirements after 3 semesters will not be allowed to progress further in the program until retention requirements have been met.
    1. Students are allowed to repeat any major course once.  If the student does not meet the grade standard on the retake, they must repeat the class again before taking other major courses.  
    2. Students are allowed to repeat no more than two major courses.  
    3. Students who fail to meet program grade standards in a third course will not be allowed to proceed in the program.  
  4. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA in major courses to take additional courses in major.
  5. Students must have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA in major to qualify for graduation from the program.
  6. Students must successfully complete all required skills listed in the Veterinary Technology Essential and Recommended Skills List developed by the AVMA (the accrediting body for this program).  
  7. All coursework in the veterinary technology curriculum should be completed within five years of initial program enrollment.  If this cannot be accomplished, the student may be required to reapply to the program for a new admission status and all veterinary technology specific courses may have to be repeated.

Students must show proof of pre-exposure rabies immunization or adequate rabies titer prior to enrollment in practicum and internship coursework. Transportation is provided to students for practicum coursework. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation during internship experiences.

Required Courses
AAS 421Large Animal Behavior and Handling Techniques2
AAS 428Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals4
CHEM 411Introductory Chemistry for Life Sciences4
VTEC 424Introduction to Veterinary Technology2
VTEC 430Companion Animal Behavior and Handling Techniques4
VTEC 435Animal Health and Laboratory Diagnostics4
VTEC 449Clinical Animal Nursing Techniques I4
VTEC 497Veterinary Technology Work Experience0
VTEC 550Clinical Animal Nursing Techniques II4
VTEC 565Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians4
VTEC 575Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgical Assisting4
VTEC 579Small Animal Practicum I4
VTEC 580Small Animal Practicum II4
VTEC 583Large Animal Practicum2
VTEC 595Veterinary Technology Internship3
VTEC 599Comprehensive VTNE Review4
Total Credits53

Discovery Program Requirements

Students must complete 20 credits within the Discovery program; with at least one course in the following categories: Writing Skills, Quantitative Reasoning, Biological Science, Physical Science, and Social Science. 

Writing Skills - Required Course
ENGL 401First-Year Writing4
Biological Science - Required Course
VTEC 435Animal Health and Laboratory Diagnostics4
Physical Science - Required Course
CHEM 411Introductory Chemistry for Life Sciences4
Quantitative Reasoning Recommendations4
BIOL 528
Applied Biostatistics I (Recommended for students pursuing ANSC 2+2 articulation)
MATH 420
Finite Mathematics
MATH 439
Statistical Discovery for Everyone
PAUL 450
Personal Finance
PSYC 402
Statistics in Psychology
SOC 402
Statistics
Social Science Category Recommendations4
NURS 535
Death and Dying
OT 520
Happy and Healthy at Work: Promoting Wellness, Diversity and Inclusion
PSYC 401
Introduction to Psychology
SOC 400
Introductory Sociology
SOC 450
Contemporary Social Problems
SW 444
You've Got Your Troubles, I've Got Mine
SW 550
Human Behavior and Social Environment I
SW 551
Human Behavior and Social Environment II

The primary goal of the veterinary technology program is to provide students with exceptional technical and clinical reasoning skills and knowledge in veterinary technology such that graduates will be prepared to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and to be immediate and valuable members of a veterinary medical team. Additionally, the program aims to develop a firm foundation in both farm animal and companion animal veterinary practices. Courses in the program cover basic sciences, veterinary nursing, and veterinary practice management, with a strong focus on hands-on practical knowledge throughout the curriculum. Students gain basic knowledge and skills for the major domestic animal species (dog, cat, horse, and cow). Integration of knowledge in communication, veterinary ethical and legal issues, veterinary practice management, clinical reasoning skills, and hands-on technical skills allow students to become complete veterinary technicians, capable of providing high-quality, compassionate, and expert care to animals both small and large.

Specific skills and decision making abilities are outlined by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accrediting body.

Explore program details

Vet Tech Operating

Why UNH Vet tech?

  • We offer all the benefits of a small school (small class size, personal attention)with access to all that a state university can offer (support services, housing, dining, clubs, sports, activities, etc.).
  • We believe in hands-on learning and start our students off working with animals in their first semester (see next FAQ).
  • We offer students real-world training in our state-of-the-art teaching clinic right on campus.
  • We offer students access to comprehensive large animal training with equine and dairy herds right on campus.

How much hands-on/live animal work do you offer?

  • Students start working with animals in the first few weeks of their first semester. There is at least one hands-on/live animal class each semester. Seniors spend ½ day per week working with real patients in our teaching clinic and working in the medical department of local animal shelters. They also run an off-campus wellness clinic for underserved pets twice a month.
  • Of course, there’s a lot of material to learn too, but we believe our students learn best by putting their knowledge into practice. You start working on gentle, relaxed animals as a freshman in various labs. In the teaching clinic, students perform all the duties legally allowed of vet techs. Here are just a few of the things you’ll do:
    • Performing physical examinations and administering injections
    • Taking blood samples
    • Running lab tests on blood, urine, and feces
      Vet Tech student

       

    • Speaking to clients
    • Administering and monitoring anesthesia
    • Performing radiography
    • Performing dental procedures
  • The only things legally restricted to veterinarians are diagnosing disease, prescribing treatment, and performing surgery. Everything else is for you to do!

Can I get a bachelor’s degree in Vet Tech?

  • Ours is a 2-year program that awards an associate degree.
  • You can transfer to the UNH Animal Science program as a junior after completing our program and complete their program in just 2 more years. You basically get 2 degrees in 4 years!

Why would I want to go on to a bachelor's program?

  • If you want to pursue veterinary graduate school, you would start that path through your bachelor’s program. UNH’s Animal Science and pre-vet programs are a well-known path to vet school.
  • A bachelor’s degree could be useful if you decided to change careers in the future.
  • You don’t need a bachelor’s degree to be a successful vet tech. You will not get better jobs or better pay as a vet tech with a bachelor’s degree.
  • You can make this decision to continue as late as your final semester in our program so there’s no rush!

How successful are your graduates?

  • 100% of our graduates who seek work as vet techs are successful. The demand for veterinary technicians continues to grow and many practices are short-staffed. There are more job openings than there are qualified technicians across the country.

Sarah Proctor, DVM, clinical associate professor and program coordinator, offers a virtual tour of UNH’s veterinary technology facilities and discusses program highlights including the 2+2 articulation with the UNH animal science degree program, which allows qualified students to earn both an associate degree in veterinary technology and a bachelor’s degree in animal science in just 4 years.

If you are not yet a UNH student, apply now:

Undergraduate Admissions Office

If you are currently a UNH student in another major:

You may apply to transfer into the Veterinary Technology program.  It is recommended to begin the program in a Fall semester due to the required sequencing of courses.

A complete application includes:

  • Change of Program Form
  • Internal Transfer Application
  • A typed, double-spaced essay (maximum 500 words). The essay should address the following:
    • Explain your reasons for applying to this program.
    • How do you feel about your coursework and/or how your life experiences have prepared you for this program?
    • What does being a Vet Tech mean to you?
  • One or two letters of reference discussing your interpersonal and animal-related abilities. Each letter must be submitted in a sealed envelope signed across the back by the individual(s) who wrote the reference. Letters should address the following:
    • Length of time the student has been known by the person writing, and in what capacity
    • Academic ability
    • Analytic ability
    • Oral and written communication skills
    • Interpersonal skills
    • Animal interaction skills

Admission decisions are based on several factors, including:

  • academic achievement (especially in animal science-related courses),
  • the applicant’s understanding of veterinary technician responsibilities,
  • evidence of an informed decision about entering the field, and
  • references who can attest to the applicant’s academic potential for completing the program successfully and to the applicant’s personal qualities that relate to success in the animal health field.

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is recommended for application. All applicants will be notified via email of the decision regarding their application.

Submit your completed application packet to:

Sarah Proctor, Veterinary Technology program director
Barton Hall room 132
(603) 862-1014
sarah.proctor@unh.edu

  • Deadline for Fall admission: May 1st
  • Deadline for Spring admission: Dec 1st

Direct any questions about the program or the application process to Sarah Proctor (information above) or Deborah Pack, (603) 862-2874, deborah.pack@unh.edu>, Smith Hall Room G21 (check-in at the reception desk).

AVMA Accreditation Logo

To become a certified veterinary technician (CVT) in NH, you must complete these steps:

  1. Graduate from an AVMA accredited program. (Like ours!)
  2. Pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).*
  3. Apply for certification from the NH Veterinary Technician Association (NHVTA).
  4. Keep your certification current by completing 12 hours of continuing education (CE), and paying the license fee each year.

Most states that offer credentialing require the first two steps.  The organization where you apply for licensure and the CE requirements differs from state to state.

*VTNE Results for July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2023  
Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE 38
Three-year VTNE pass percentage 45%

Why Become Certified?

NH and a few other states do not legally require certification, but it distinguishes you from those who have not completed the training and requirements.  Many practices prefer to employ CVTs and usually pay more for that credential.  If you intend to work outside New England, certification is critical, because most other states require it (37 of 50 states require certification).  The certification process also helps to establish minimum ethical and educational standards for the profession.

Helpful links:

If you wish to continue beyond the 2-year associate degree in Veterinary Technology, you can transfer into the UNH Animal Science program and in just two more years, receive a bachelor’s degree. This articulation only applies to graduates of the UNH Vet Tech program.  Students who transfer out of VTEC before graduation may not receive ANSC major credit for VTEC classes as described below.

Veterinary technology coursework transfers into the UNH Animal Science baccalaureate program as described below, making it possible to complete the Animal Science B.S. degree in 2 additional years of study. It is a simple process to transfer to the Animal Science program. In the final semester of the veterinary technology program, complete this application. For students interested in pursuing graduate/veterinary school the pathway will require three additional years to fit in the required extra coursework.

Curriculum checklist for VTEC graduates transferring into ANSC as juniors

VTEC courses

Counts for ANSC requirement:

Credits

AAS 428 Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals

ANSC 512 Anatomy & Physiology

4

VTEC 424 Introduction to Veterinary Technology

ANSC 406 Careers in Animal Science

1

VTEC 430 Companion Animal Behavior and Handling

ANSC elective

4

VTEC 435 Animal Health and Lab Diagnostics

AAS 439 Fundamentals of Animal Health & Biological Sciences Discovery category

2

VTEC 449 Clinical Animal Nursing Techniques

ANSC 402 Animal Agriculture Today

4

VTEC 550 Clinical Animal Nursing Techniques II

ANSC elective

4

VTEC 565 Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians

ANSC 625 Disease course

4

VTEC 575 Anesthesia and Surgical Assisting

ANSC elective

4

Recommended Discovery coursework

   

BIOL 528 Biostatistics

Quantitative Reasoning category

4

ENGL 401 First-year writing

Writing category

4

Social Science course

Social Science category

4

 

Total major and Discovery credits accepted:

39

P.A.W.S stands for Pet Access to Wellness Services.  The PAWS Veterinary Clinic offers low-cost veterinary care to qualifying pet owners during the academic year.  We serve residents of the Dover Housing Authority and other qualifying low-income pet owners.  Clients qualify by providing proof of some type of government assistance.

PAWS students weighing a cat

 

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