Prepare to start your career in Veterinary medicine with our Veterinary Technology A.S. Degree
Our Veterinary Technology A.S. Degree gives you a solid foundation for success. The campus program trains at the joint-use Veterinary Technology Center in Largo featuring labs, surgery and x-ray suites and at our state-of-the-art labs at the Seminole Campus. Online students working at a veterinary practice will integrate your hard-earned clinical experience with online classroom activities. Online students have the benefit of working with program faculty hands on at our facility for large animal skills and lab animal skills.
Face-to-Face
Taking classes face-to-face means you will train at at the joint-use Veterinary Technology Center in Largo and at our state-of-the-art labs at the Seminole Campus. Face-to-face students will be required to have an affiliation with a veterinary facility for 100 hours of clinical time each semester.
Online Option
At SPC, you can complete the online Veterinary Technology A.S. Degree program by taking clinical practicums where you live. Clinical practicums require the student to obtain an agreement with a veterinary facility under the supervision of a credentialed mentor (credentialed technician or veterinarian) who oversees your academic experience for credit in the program. Online students are required to complete 280 hours of clinical experience in a veterinary facility during each semester enrolled in the program.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Veterinary Technology Program at St Petersburg College is for students to develop academic and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement in our graduates beginning with their ability to successfully pass the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination).
This academic program prepares you for the following careers. All job data is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Salary Data
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average
Florida Average
Projected employment for Florida
2023 Employment
10,010
2033
13,650
Percent Change
36
Projected Job Openings
1430
FEATURES of SPC's Veterinary Technology A.S. Degree
- Prepares you for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)
- Can be completed online, in the classroom or a blended format
- Provides lecture and hands-on clinical classes experiences as part of your on-campus learning experience
- Is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association through the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities
- Trains you in a wide range of skills including radiology, nursing, dentistry, surgical preparation, anesthesia and clinical laboratory tests.
- Is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
Veterinary Technology Associate in Science
VETTC-AS
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Fall 2024 (640)
The requirements shown below are valid beginning Fall 2024 (640), and may not reflect degree requirements for current students. Current students should visit My SPC and view My Learning Plan to see specific degree requirements for their effective term.
Program Summary
FACE-TO-FACE PROGRAM BEGINS IN AUGUST AND JANUARY. This program is also offered as a Fully Online program. Please scroll down to "Distance Education" for more information. Before entering the first term of the Face-to-Face Veterinary Technology “program courses”, all students must have completed at least 15 of the 21 credits of the required Veterinary Technology general education and support courses including composition, mathematics, and natural science. Students may take the general education and support courses at any regionally accredited college or university, or they may complete them through St. Petersburg College campus or distance education courses. The general education and/or support courses do not have to be taken in the order listed. Applicants must have worked or volunteered in a veterinary hospital at least 40 hours prior to applying for admission to fulfill the clinical observation requirement. Candidates will also complete the Health Programs Application before they will be considered for acceptance into the Veterinary Technology Program. Please see a counselor and/or advisor.
Students must also be in a veterinary hospital on an average of 4-5 hours per week for a total of 100 hours over 12 weeks of the semester for they are enrolled in the veterinary technology program.
Graduation Requirements
In addition to the schedule listed above, the student, with permission of the program director, may elect to take reduced credit hours each semester and extend the program over eight semesters. Courses must be taken in proper sequence and all other program requirements apply.
Minimum grade of "C" required in all courses.
Academic Pathways
The Academic Pathway is a tool for students that lists the following items:- the recommended order in which to take the program courses
- suggested course when more than one option exists
- which semester each course is typically offered
- if the course has a prerequisite
- courses that may lead to a certificate (if offered in the program)
Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.
Program Leadership Information
Florida CIP Code
1301830100 - Veterinary Technology (AS)
Federal CIP Code
01.8301 - Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant.
Accreditation
SPC's A.S. and B.A.S. degrees in VeterinaryTechnology are accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
AAHA
SPC's School of Veterinary Technology recently received full accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association, signifying the highest level of medical care within the veterinary medical profession. Only three of the 221 veterinary technology programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association are also AAHA accredited.
Information on passing rates on the Veterinary Technician National Exam
Information on SPC graduates: July 2021- June 2024
| 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 | July 2021 - June 2024 |
| Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE | 232 |
| Three-year VTNE pass percentage | 80% |
Forms and Information
- Hospital Observation and Discussion Form
- Affiliation Agreement
- Essential Functions
- Evaluation of Clinical Sites
- Rabies Letter for insurance
- Rabies signature form and information
- Letter to Mentors
Veterinary Technology General Resources
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- Veterinary Technology Student Essential and Recommended Skills list
- Essential Equipment List
Technician Associations
- Florida Veterinary Technician Association (FVTA)
- Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA)
- National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
- Approved Veterinary Technician Specialties and Academies
National exam
Scholarships
The SPC Foundation offers more than 350 different scholarships to SPC students based on eligibility. Once you complete the single online application during the application windows, you will automatically be matched with any scholarships that you may be eligible for.
Industry certification
SPC's Veterinary Technology Associate in Science Degree prepares you for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
Continue Your Education at SPC
SPC's Veterinary Technology A.S. degree transfers to our Veterinary Technology B.A.S. Degree.
Once you earn your associate or bachelor's degree, you can continue with SPC's Veterinary Practice Management Certificate.
Program Admission Guides
Please review the program admission guide to ensure your eligibility prior to applying below.
- Veterinary Technology A.S. Degree Face-to-Face Admission Guide
- Veterinary Technology A.S. Degree Online Admission Guide
- Technical Standards and Essential Functions
Students accepted into the program will be required to successfully pass a background check and drug screening.
Application Windows Face-To-Face Program
| Term | TermApplications Accepted | TermApplication Review | TermStudent Notified By MySPC e-mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall: August | March 1 – June 15 | June 16 - June 30 | July 1 |
| Spring: January | June 16 - October 15 | October 16 - October 31 | Nov. 1 |
Application Deadlines Online Program
The Veterinary Technology Online A.S. degree program accepts applications continually throughout the year. Please apply once your prerequisite coursework has been completed and posted to your SPC transcript. All qualified students will be offered admission and will be eligible to enroll in the following semester. To be considered for a certain semester, please complete your application by the following dates:
| Term | Application Deadline |
| Spring | Nov. 30 |
| Summer | March 30 |
| Fall | July 15 |