Veterinary Technology

The veterinary technology program at North Dakota State University will prepare you for an exciting career in animal health care. As a veterinary technician you may choose to work in a veterinary practice or your goals might lead you in other directions, such as technical research assistance, sales, veterinary practice management or animal related business management. Many potential career opportunities await you as an NDSU veterinary technology graduate.

The Program

The veterinary technology program leads to a B.S. degree and allows you to control the direction of your education through the choice of electives or a minor field of study. The first year of the veterinary technology program is open enrollment. Students interested in veterinary technology have the opportunity to take courses that will help them decide if they want to apply for the limited-enrollment professional portion of the program. Students are selected each spring to enter the professional portion of the program the following fall. The veterinary technology program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The Department of Animal and Range Sciences

Veterinary technology is a program of the Department of Animal and Range Sciences. Departmental offices are housed in Hultz, Van Es and Robinson Halls. The veterinary technology program facilities are located in Robinson Hall on the west side of the main NDSU campus. Two veterinarians, a microbiologist, two licensed veterinary technicians and a registered medical technologist comprise the primary faculty and staff of the program.

Major classes offered to first-year veterinary technology students include Introduction to the Veterinary Profession, Companion Animal Breeds, Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals, Medical Terminology for the Paraprofessional and Animal Restraint. If, for any reason, you don't continue into the professional portion of the program, the credits earned during the first year may be transferred into other majors.

Topics in the professional portion of the program include clinical techniques, clinical laboratory procedures, radiography, pharmacology, anesthesiology, hospital procedures, surgical nursing and animal diseases. You will work with a diverse group of animals including cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, dogs, cats, birds, laboratory animals and pocket pets. In addition to lectures and demonstrations, we offer a great deal of practical experience. Professional program students participate in the Robinson Hall Veterinary Wellness Clinic and, after successful completion of all the veterinary technology courses, enroll in a clinical externship. Most students do their externships in veterinary clinics, but students with particular interests have done them at facilities such as zoos, research laboratories and even the Kennedy Space Center. Your entire academic career is planned to allow you to achieve your career goals and adapt to individual employment needs after you graduate. A minor in large animal veterinary technology is available for students interested in careers working with livestock and/or horses (available only to vet tech majors).

The Veterinary Technology Club

The Veterinary Technology Club is a student chapter of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. The club is open to any student interested in veterinary technology. It provides a social setting for students with common career goals and an opportunity to become involved in professional and community activities. Meetings are held at least twice a month during the school year. Specific information about the club is available from the veterinary technology academic advisers.

Scholarships

Veterinary technology students are eligible to apply for scholarships awarded through the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources. Each year students enrolled in the college receive more than $100,000 from the college scholarship program. A booklet that contains a listing of the college scholarships is available directly from the college. To receive a copy of the scholarship booklet contact the Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources, NDSU, Morrill Hall 315, Fargo, ND 58105, (701) 231-7656.

Career Opportunities

We welcome your questions about veterinary technology. Information sheets and brochures are available that explain career options and employment opportunities in veterinary technology. If you would like to receive this information, call or write the Veterinary Technology Program.

Selective Admission

The first year of the program is open enrollment. The professional program, which starts in the second year, is selective. Transfer students are encouraged to contact the department early for information if they intend to transfer to NDSU and enter veterinary technology. Applicants for the professional program must submit a supplemental application, three recommendations (forms provided),  an official transcript, a short statement of their career goals and verification of veterinary clinic observation hours. The application deadline is April 1 for the fall professional program. Selections are made in late May. Detailed application and selection information is given during fall semester classes and is available upon request from the Veterinary Technology Program. Application materials are available during spring semester in Van Es 150 or on the program’s website at http://vettech.ndsu.nodak.edu.

Veterinary Technology Curriculum

With the help of your adviser you will formulate a course schedule that allows you to complete the veterinary technology program. A curriculum listing is provided below.

The veterinary technology curriculum allows considerable flexibility in designing your program.

With the general elective courses necessary for graduation, you will be able to satisfy the requirements for an optional minor field of study if you so choose.

Contact Information

Veterinary Technology Program
Department of Animal and Range Sciences
North Dakota State University
Van Es 150
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-7512
Fax: (701) 231-7514
E-mail: Thomas.Colville@ndsu.edu
Web: http://vettech.ndsu.nodak.edu

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students/

(6/07)