Prospective Students

PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS!

2025 Information Session February 2025
Fall Cohort Application Window Opens March 2025

Timeline for Admission to Fall Cohort
Early April – Application Deadline and Lottery
Mid-April – Applicants notified of application status
Summer – Mandatory orientation
August – Start of first semester

At its November 3-6, 2022 meeting, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) granted initial accreditation to the Ventura College veterinary technology program. The accreditation is effective on August 25, 2022.

The CVTEA requires that program graduates demonstrate competency in over 300 essential skills and that programs produce practice-ready graduates. The accreditation of the Ventura College veterinary technology program is a recognition of the program's rigor. Furthermore, it will allow graduates to be able to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam.

PROGRAM: The Veterinary Technology Associate of Science Degree Program is two-tier pathway that begins with a Veterinary Assistant Certificate of Achievement. The program develops students for careers within the veterinary and animal healthcare industry as veterinary technicians and also prepares them to take the national licensing exam to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. The first year of courses within the Veterinary Technology degree program can be applied towards earning a Certificate of Achievement (CoA) in Veterinary Assistant, allowing students to seek initial, entry-level employment in the field of veterinary technology while completing the Associate degree program.

ADMISSION: Student applying to the Veterinary Assistant program must submit an admissions application to Ventura College at www.venturacollege.edu/apply before applying to the certificate program. Admission to the certificate program is based on a random lottery process. To be considered for the certificate program, students must meet the educational requirements and follow the pre-enrollment procedures. Please note that new prerequisites to the program will be required as of Fall 2024. Meeting all the requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. In order to continue into the Veterinary Technology degree program, all Veterinary Technology coursework must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Note: The American Veterinary Medical Association requires that all applicants for enrollment in the Veterinary Technology program must have a high school diploma or G.E.D.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: The Veterinary Technology program at Ventura College is committed to providing equal access to the college’s academic programs and services to qualified individuals with disabilities through reasonable accommodation. Students who believe they are in need of accommodations should contact the Educational Assistance Center (EAC) / Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSP&S) by phone at (805) 289-6300 or by e-mail at vceac@vcccd.edu or in person at 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93003. The student should provide the EAC with a current comprehensive evaluation of a specific disability from a qualified diagnostician that identifies the type of disability and lists recommended accommodations. All documentation will be reviewed by the designated EAC Faculty member in a timely manner, and appropriate reasonable accommodations will be provided based on the individual student’s needs.

Please see the Essential Functions in the AVTE Disabilities Task Force Report.

Prospective Student FAQs

A: No, you do not need extensive experience working with animals or working in the veterinary field to apply to the Veterinary Technology program. It is, however, beneficial if you have experience – even volunteer work – working with animals in some capacity. There is now the requirement of an 8 hour observation period at a Veterinary Hospital in which you spend time with a practice to observe what happens during a typical day to ensure you have a basic understanding of the field of Veterinary Medicine.

A: This program is academically challenging, but it is also very exciting and engaging. The typical semester course load is 12-15 units – which is extensive considering the majority of courses are science based. There is a lot of information presented in each course where good study habits and work ethic are essential.

A: Application to for entry to the Veterinary Technology program opens early in the spring semester. All prospective students are STRONGLY encouraged attend an information session. The Information session will be recorded if you are unable to attend in person. At this session the program faculty and administration present important detailed information about the program curriculum and application requirements. Requirements for entry into the Vet Tech program include a High School Diploma, completion of Prerequisite courses (Math V44, Engl V01A, Chem V20 & V20L, Bio V01 & V01L) and admission to Ventura College. In addition, all prospective students must complete the Veterinary Technology Program application which includes an observation time at a veterinary hospital. Applicants must also attend an academic counseling session with one of our program counselors and complete a FASFA or CA Dream Act application. After the application deadline has passed, admission into the program is based on a random lottery system up to 24 in the cohort. Students that do not gain entry through the initial lottery will be placed on the wait list. Late applications will be accepted with those prospective students added to the wait list. The wait list does not carry over to the following year. Accepted students are now required to receive Rabies Pre-exposure Prophylaxis according to CDC and AVMA recommendations prior to the start of the Fall semester.

A: A cohort is a group of students that advance through the duration of the program all together. Each fall semester a new cohort starts with anticipation that they will all graduate together at the completion of the program. The small class size of no more than 24 students per cohort allows students to build lasting friendships as they work together and lean on each other. In addition, the faculty to student ratio is 1:8 when working with animals which promotes safety and allows student individualized attention from faculty.

A: The Veterinary Technology Program now requires that the follow prerequisites courses be completed before entry into the program: Chemistry V20/L, Biology V01/L, Math V44, and English V01A. Please note that you must pass all pre-requisite courses with a “C” grade or better to be considered eligible. These courses must be completed by the Spring semester prior to the Fall Cohort start.

A: This program covers an introduction to veterinary nursing care for domestic animal species such as dogs, cats, rabbits, small mammals (guinea pigs, rats), cows, horses, small ruminants (goats/sheep), Laminoids (Alpacas), and exotic pet species such as reptiles and birds. This program is not geared toward wildlife management or conservation. You will work hands-on with all of the above-mentioned species.

A: The program is located at Ventura College’s East Campus in Santa Paula. For some live animal lab courses, students are required to take field trips to local area shelters, ranches, and farms. Transportation is not provided to or from east campus to field trip locations but students can arrange to carpool with each other.

A: Prior to the start of classes in the fall semester, all program students are required to attend a mandatory welcome orientation the week prior to the start of classes. In addition, by that time, all students are required to complete mandatory health screenings – including getting a physical exam, and updating required vaccinations which include Tetanus as well as the Rabies Pre-exposure prophylaxis 2 injection series. Failure to either attend the mandatory orientation or complete the health screenings may result being dropped from the program. If you are unable to attend the mandatory orientation and/or complete the health screening on time, we expect that you will notify the program faculty with as much advanced notice as possible. We hold students responsible to communicate with program faculty in a timely and professional manner.

A: It depends on how comfortable you are with balancing work and a full academic course load. The typical semester course load is 12-15 units. This program is academically challenging and requires a significant amount of time dedicated to attending classes, studying, and completing assignments. There are many vet tech students that work during the school year but typically only on a part-time basis.

A: At its November 3-6, 2022 meeting, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) granted initial accreditation to the Ventura College veterinary technology program. The accreditation is effective on August 25, 2022.

A: No, this program is specifically for students wishing to become Registered Veterinary Technicians. It is not intended for students that wish pursue a career as a Veterinarian. For more information about undergraduate course work needed to prepare for Veterinary school, please contact the counseling department. Additional information about a career as a Veterinarian and Veterinary School can be found at https://www.aavmc.org/becoming-a-veterinarian/, https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/admissions/so-you-want-be-veterinarian, and https://iwanttobeaveterinarian.org/

Prospective Students

PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS!

2025 Information Session February 2025
Fall Cohort Application Window Opens March 2025

Prospective Student FAQs

Maria Flores

Bea Zizumbo

Prospective Students

PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS!

2025 Information Session February 2025 Fall Cohort Application Window Opens March 2025

Prospective Student FAQs

Q: Do I need experience working with animals or in the veterinary field in order to apply to the program?

Q: How academically challenging is this program?

Q: If admitted entry into the program will I be guaranteed a space in the veterinary technology courses?

Q: How do I get into the Vet Tech program?

Q: What is a ‘cohort’ and how does it work in the veterinary technology program?

Q: Prior to applying to and entering the program, are there any classes that I need to complete?

Q: What types of animals will we have the opportunity to directly work with?

Q: Where are the classes held? What about classes that involve the use of animals?

Q: I’m excited that I’ve been accepted into the program! What do I need to do prior to the start of classes in the fall?

Q: Will I be able to work while enrolled in the program?

Q: What is the current status of the Veterinary Technology program’s accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)?

Q: Is the Veterinary Technology Program a good path for students interested in becoming a Veterinarian?

Maria Flores

Bea Zizumbo

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2025 Information Session February 2025
Fall Cohort Application Window Opens March 2025