Associate of Applied Science

(Five-Semester Program)

The MSU Veterinary Technology Associate Degree Program is approved by the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Graduates are eligible to write the National Board Examination for state licensure as a Registered Veterinary Technician or Technologist.

The Veterinary Technology Program has a selective admission policy, which is separate from and in addition to the University's admission procedures. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the Veterinary Technology Program.

In addition to acceptance by the University, applicants must apply for admission to the Veterinary Technology Associate Degree Program and meet the following criteria:

Special Admission Requirements

Note: Enrollment in the core veterinary technology curriculum will be limited to 40 students.

Admission to Morehead State University.
Admission to Veterinary Technology Program.
1. Minimum high school GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale.
2. ACT Composite Score of at least 20.
3. ACT subscores which permit enrollment in courses required by the program.
1. Prerequisite Courses and GPA Requirements:
  1. Students entering the core veterinary technology curriculum from the pre-vet tech curriculum must have a college GPA of 2.6 or greater in college level courses to be accepted into the veterinary technology program and a 2.6 or greater GPA in specified science and math courses (MATH 131 or higher approved general education math, AGR 133, AGR 143, BIOL 160, BIOL 171, and CHEM 101 or higher).
  2. Transfer students must have a college GPA of 2.6 or greater in 12 or more hours of college level courses to be accepted into the veterinary technology program and a 2.6 or greater GPA in specified science and math courses (MATH 131or higher approved general education math, BIOL 160, BIOL 171, or BIOL 234, and CHEM 101 or higher).
  3. Approved college-level course work may include:
    a. General education courses applicable to the Veterinary Technology Associate Degree Program;
    b. Animal science, biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer skills, medical terminology, office management, or ethics.
2. All applicants:
  1. Minimum 120 hours of documented veterinary supervised work/volunteer experience.
  2. Written recommendation from the above veterinarian.
  3. Health, Physical Capability, and Risk Assessment (HPCR) Requirements.
    a. Veterinary Technology students must possess the health, physical capability, and risk assessment compatible with working with live animals in a veterinary medical context. The HPCR requirements are designed to assure adequate ability to work with live animals, perform the required tasks, and avoid undue risk of injury or disease.
    b. Confidentiality of HPCR Status: It is not required that any student divulge confidential medical information to the program faculty. They must only verify, through their physician, that they meet the HPCR requirements.

Physical Capabilities:

Vision capabilities:
1. Normal or corrected refraction within the ranges of 20/20 to 20/190.
2. Be able to distinguish color shade changes.
Auditory capabilities:
Possess normal or corrected hearing ability within 0 to 45 decibel range.
Tactile capabilities:
Possess in at least one hand the ability to perceive temperature change and pulsations and to differentiate between various textures and structures.
Language capabilities:
Possess the ability to verbally communicate.
Motor capabilities:
Possess four functional limbs (normal or artificial) which allow the following actions:
1. Grasp securely with at least one hand;
2. Stand for long periods of time;
3. Walk unassisted.
Health Requirements:
1. Mental Health
  Possess the ability to adapt to environment, function in everyday activities, and cope with stressors.
2. Immunization requirements:
  Current immunization against the following:
  1. Rabies
  2. Tetanus
3. Risk Assessment:
  1. Bites and scratches:
    Prior to handling any animals, students must verify that they are not subject to any undue risk from animal bites and scratches.
  2. Radiation risk assessment:
    Prior to beginning the second year of the VET sequence, students must verify that they are not subject to any undue risk from assisting with diagnostic radiography procedures on animals.
4. Verification and Maintenance of HPCR Requirements:
  1. Applicants must provide verification of the HPCR requirements by completion of the Veterinary Technology HPCR Form by a licensed physician(s) upon completion of a thorough physical examination.
  2. The HPCR requirements must be maintained throughout the student's enrollment in the program.
    a. At the discretion of the program faculty, students may be requested to have their HPCR requirements reevaluated at any point in the program.
    b. Students in the program are required to notify their physician of any significant change in their HPCR status that may place them at increased risk (e.g., pregnancy) and submit a new HPCR Form signed by the physician.

Required Course Sequence

General Education Requirements: Students must complete the general education requirements for an Associate of Applied Sciences degree. Any course approved by the University for each of the following categories may be taken, unless otherwise specified:

COMM 108 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3
MATH 131 - Mathematical Reasoning and Problem Solving or higher	3
ENG 100 - Writing I	3
ENG 200 - Writing II or ENG 292 - Tech. Composition	3
FYS 101 - First Year Seminar	3

Vet Tech A.A.S. Core Requirements

AGR 133 - Introduction to Animal Science	3
AGR 143 - Anatomy and Physiology of Livestock	3
VET 399C -	1
BIOL 160 - Introduction to Biological Principles or BIOL 171 - Principles of Biology	3
BIOL 213 - Introduction to Veterinary Microbiology or BIOL 217 - Elementary Medical Microbiology	4
CHEM 101 - Survey of Chemistry or CHEM 111 - Principles of Chemistry I	4
Vet Tech A.A.S. Core Total	18

Program Core Requirements

VET 108 — Veterinary Clinical Anatomy	3
VET 112 — Animal Care Techniques I	4
VET 213 — Animal Care Techniques II	4
VET 218 — Intro to Veterinary Laboratory Techniques	4
VET 245 — Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology	4
VET 257 — Concepts of Large Animal Diseases I	2
VET 258 — Small Animal Medicine & Surgery I	2
VET 259 — Veterinary Clinical Pathology I	2
VET 260 — Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging	2
VET 261 — Large Animal Clinics I	1
VET 262 — Small Animal Clinics I	1
VET 264 — Veterinary Clinical Pathology Clinics I	1
VET 265 — Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Clinics	1
VET 357 — Concepts of Large Animal Diseases II	2
VET 358 — Small Animal Medicine & Surgery II	2
VET 359 — Veterinary Clinical Pathology II	2
VET 366 — Veterinary Dentistry	2
VET 367 — Large Animal Clinics II	1
VET 368 — Small Animal Clinics II	1
VET 363 — Veterinary Clinical Preceptorship	1
VET 364 — Veterinary Clinical Pathology Clinics II	1
VET 365 — Veterinary Dentistry Clinics	1
VET 399C — Clinical Veterinary Seminar	1
Vet Tech Core Requirements Total	43

Components of Degree Requirement
General Education	15
Program Requirements	18
Prerequisities, Supplements, Special Electives	43
Total Credit Hours Required	76

Academic Progress Statement

Once admitted to the program, students must demonstrate adequate academic progress by earning a grade of "C" or better in all required VET courses.

Any required VET course and BIOL 213 or BIOL 217 in which a grade less than "C" is earned must be repeated with a grade of "C" or better prior to advancing in the program.

Dismissal from the program:

A student will be dismissed from the program for any of the following situations:

Earning a grade less than "C" in, or withdrawing or failing from, any required VET course and BIOL 213 or BIOL 217 more than once;
Earning a grade less than "C" in, or withdrawing failing from, more than one required VET course and BIOL 213 or BIOL 217;
Inability to complete the program within four academic years of beginning the program.

Reinstatement to the program

Once dismissed from the program, a student must reapply to the program and be readmitted. Readmitted students must complete all courses in the VET sequence as if starting for the first time.

Reinstatement into the program is not automatic. Reapplicants must demonstrate both the aptitude and motivation to succeed in the program. Those seeking reinstatement to the VET course sequence must do the following:

By May 30:

Submit transcripts of college courses at the end of the current semester (unofficial copy of transcripts is acceptable).
Provide the name and address of the veterinary facility where obtaining additional work experience. Include the dates and hours per week.
Submit a letter explaining what will be done differently to succeed in the VT program if reinstated. This should include plans for study, time management, etc.

By July 15:

Submit letter describing in detail work experience during the past 12 months and explaining why you wish to become a credentialed veterinary technician.
Complete any HPCR requirements that are not current (e.g., rabies vaccinations).

Failure to meet the above deadlines will cancel the reapplication process. Readmission will be granted only if the above criteria are met to the satisfaction of the VT faculty and there are class seats available.

Reapplicants will be notified on Aug. 1 whether their petition for readmission has been granted.

Up one level:

Veterinary Technology