Application Deadline:
The Application Deadline for Fall Term Start is April 1st. Learn more about the application process here.
Veterinary Technology - Associate Degree
Train to work with animals as a vet tech with Eastern Florida State College’s accredited, two-year Associate in Science degree in Veterinary Technology which begins each Fall Term.
Veterinary technicians function as technical support to veterinarians, biomedical researchers, and other scientists, maintaining high standards of animal care.
EFSC’s veterinary technicians are also educated to be laboratory technicians, radiography technicians, anesthetists, surgical nurses, and client educators.
Eastern Florida’s Veterinary Technology program includes at least two years of academic study and clinical practice under the supervision of experienced faculty in the college's veterinary facility, one of only three such on-campus training programs in Florida, and at designated external clinical sites.
Eastern Florida’s Veterinary Technology A.S. degree program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The program operates under the guidelines of the AVMA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities and the Florida Department of Education certification standards for Veterinary Technology. A graduate of the Veterinary Technology program is qualified to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Upon successful completion of the board, the graduate is designated as a Certified Veterinary Technician in the State of Florida.
Veterinary Technology - Associate Degree
Program Overview
- Degree Type
- Associate in Science (A.S.)
- Delivery Method
- On-Campus
- Location
- Cocoa
- Total Credit Hours
- 73
- Academic Community
- Health Sciences
- Contact Information
-
Health Science Advising
Email Advising
Veterinary Technology A.S. COURSE CURRICULUM
While earning your Veterinary Technology A.S. degree at EFSC, you'll benefit from:
- Small class sizes with face-to-face classroom, hybrid, and online options
- A working clinical environment with equipment that represents state-of-the-art veterinary practice, including exam and treatment areas, a pre-surgical suite and operating room, sterile supply diagnostic laboratory, anesthesia and dental machines, and radiographic equipment
- Experienced, credentialed faculty and mentors who work in specialty areas, such as surgery and large animal care and who are active in professional associations and community nonprofits
- Service-learning opportunities, especially through our Vet Tech Club, to give back to the community
General education courses should be completed prior to admission to the program. Courses are sequential, and students should have a strong commitment to attending classes.
Veterinary Technology A.S. Admissions Information
EFSC’s Veterinary Technology A.S. degree is a limited-access program with a point-based selection system and requires a special application in addition to the general EFSC admissions procedure.
April 1st is the annual application deadline for a Fall Term start.
(If the deadline has passed, contact a health sciences advisor to see if seats may
be available for a late application.)
Review the basic steps below, linking through to the detailed information about the Selection Criteria and Application Process.
- Meet with a Health Sciences advisor to review program requirements and the selection process. Veterinary Technology selection
for admission is guided by a selection point scale. Discussing this with a health science advisor before you apply is recommended as
part of the process.
- Apply for Admission: Interested students must review and complete the customized Vet Tech Application Process. Completed application files are due by the annual deadline.
- Review complete program information. Check out all the details on this page and look over common questions and answers about the program.
Additional Program Information
The Veterinary Technology program operates under the guidelines of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities, and the Florida Department of Education certification standards for Veterinary Technology.
A graduate of the Veterinary Technology program is qualified to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Upon successful completion of the board, the graduate is designated as a Certified Veterinary Technician in the State of Florida. See details on the exam, including EFSC's pass rate.
Continuing education credits and renewal every two years are required to maintain the certification. Certification in Florida is offered through both the Florida Veterinary Technician Association (FVTA) and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA).
American Veterinary Medical Association
Division of Education and Research
1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360
Phone: 800-248-2862
Fax: 847-925-1329
The Veterinary Technology program at Eastern Florida State College recruits and educates quality candidates who will integrate knowledge, clinical skills, problem solving/critical thinking and professional behavior to become caring, qualified and competent entry level veterinary technicians.
Areas of our training that prepare students to work as veterinary technicians include:
- Administration of medication and vaccines
- Anesthesiology
- Biomedical Research
- Client Education
- Clinical Laboratory procedures
- Dental Prophylaxis
- Office/Hospital Management
- Patient History
- Physical Examination
- Radiology
- Surgical Assisting
Review the guidelines on live animal use in the Veterinary Technology program.
Successful participation and completion of this program requires that applicants meet the demands of the program
Step 1: Apply to Eastern Florida State College
Submit an application for General Admission to Eastern Florida State College.
Step 2: Verify Program Accreditation
- Confirm that the veterinary technology program previously attended is AVMA CVTEA accredited (American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician/Nurse Education and Activities).
- Accredited programs can be verified here:
https://www.avma.org/education/center-for-veterinary-accreditation/veterinary-technology-programs-accredited-avma-cvtea - Important: Veterinary technology courses cannot be transferred if the previous institution is not AVMA CVTEA accredited.
Step 3: Submit Transcripts
- Official transcripts must be sent to the EFSC Registrar’s Office.
- Only courses completed with a grade of “C” or higher are eligible for transfer consideration.
Step 4: Course Waivers and Substitutions
- Course waivers and substitutions are evaluated on a case by case basis.
- Approval is required from the Program Manager, Department Chair, and Dean.
- Students must submit:
Official transcripts
Course descriptions
Clinical schedules
Clinical rotation details
Documentation of successfully completed competencies
Step 5: Meet with a Health Sciences Advisor
- Applicants are required to complete an official advising session with a Health Sciences Advisor.
Step 6: Notify the Program Director
- Students must email the Program Director to formally express interest in transferring into the program: vancielm@easternflorida.edu
- Application Requirements
Minimum college GPA of 2.0
Observation hours: Requirements are the same as those outlined in the standard Veterinary Technology application process - If the student is currently enrolled in, or has attended within the last year, another
veterinary technology program:
A letter from the former Program Director confirming the student is in good standing must be sent to the Program Manager at vancielm@easternflorida.edu
Important Program Information
- This is a full time, in person Health Sciences program with a few hybris and online courses, typically running Monday through Thursday from anywhere between 8am-5pm, with occasional Fridays as needed.
- Courses must be taken in sequence and cannot be completed out of order.
Students must be available for all required on campus instruction and clinical activities. - Colleges structure veterinary technology programs differently, and as a result, even courses with similar titles may vary significantly in course content, hands on skill development, clinical hours, and required competencies. Because of these differences and accreditation standards, EFSC is required to verify that all appropriate learning outcomes have been met before any transfer credit can be awarded. Therefore, all courses may not be transferred in if not comparable.
- Admission to the Veterinary Technology/Nursing program is conditional upon available classroom and clinical space, as regulated by AVMA CVTEA standards.
- All transfer criteria must be met before any credit is awarded.
- Transfer students must complete all EFSC Veterinary Technology program requirements for graduation.
- There is no guarantee that transfer students will complete the program at the same pace as their original cohort.
- Transfer students will begin the program in either the Fall or Spring semester, depending
on the timing of acceptance.
Brief Costs & Financial Aid Eligibility
Estimated expenses for EFSC’s Veterinary Technology A.S. degree program are $11,000 including uniforms, textbooks, and insurance.
The program is eligible for federal Financial Aid, and students should apply for scholarships to help reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
College Courses You Would Take
The Veterinary Technology program includes a minimum of 696 laboratory contact hours, 200 or more clinical hours, and the opportunity for 80 or more hours of service-learning at nonprofit animal organizations. Here are just some of the courses you would take.
Explore the fundamentals of anatomy, focused on canine (dogs) & feline (cats), with an emphasis on locating & identifying anatomical regions & landmarks.
Learn the fundamentals of preventive medicine and common diseases in large animal species including pigs, sheep, cattle, and horses (and, occasionally, llamas)!
In this lecture/laboratory class, students work with birds, reptiles, & small mammals & on cadavers to allow them to become familiar with treatment techniques.
Covers principles of anesthesia, pain management, surgical instrumentation, patient prep, medicating animals, & x-ray principles including patient positioning for extremity films.
Why Study Veterinary Technology at EFSC?
Hands-On Training for a Rewarding Career
Students graduating from EFSC's program find jobs in veterinary practices, research, equine practices, shelters, wildlife hospitals and education, among other positions. Other career options include biomedical research, diagnostic laboratory jobs, and positions as herd health managers, with Humane Societies, industry, the military, zoos, and in wildlife medicine.
Preparation for Additional Educational Opportunities
Students who earn the Veterinary Technology A.S. degree can add management skills
through Eastern Florida's Veterinary Practice Management Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) program. This 100% online program allows veterinary
professionals to train for the business side of operating a practice.
Graduates of this A.S. degree program are also eligible to apply for EFSC's Applied
Health Sciences Bachelor of Applied Science - Veterinary Technology Specialization program.
Related Health Sciences Programs
As you consider applying for the Veterinary Technology A.S. degree, explore these other healthcare programs. Consult a health sciences advisor if you have questions.