Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 University Catalog 
    
2019-2020 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Veterinary Nurse, AAS


About the Program

CurriculaVeterinary students with dog

This unique program combines one four-year curriculum with an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) and Bachelor of Science (BS) options. Students wanting only the Associate degree, or who have previously completed the general education college courses found in Year One of the bachelor’s degree, begin in the clinical portion, or Year Two, of the program.

Although any student can compete to start in the Year Two associate degree program, high school students, or those without any college experience, are strongly advised to apply for the first year of the BS degree program. This allows students to obtain a science, math and general education background and develop college-level study skills prior to entering the intensive clinical portion of the curriculum.  The student who completes the first year of the BS degree program but wishes to stop after completing the associate degree would complete the curriculum in three years (The first year of general education and two years, including two summers, of associate degree curriculum).

For more information, see the Veterinary Nursing website

Careers

As part of the veterinary team, registered veterinary technicians with an AAS degree perform a wide range of veterinary nursing, imaging, anesthesia, dental hygiene and diagnostic laboratory procedures in the practice setting.

Veterinary technologists (BS degree) add organizational skills and case/project management to their technical abilities. Possible career tracks for technologists include animal behavior counselors, specialty practice technologists, clinic/hospital team leaders, veterinary technology program educators, pharmaceutical sales, wildlife rehabilitation, zoo and shelter medicine.

Credentialed veterinary technicians are required to maintain continuing education according to state regulations. Information about continuing education programs is available through the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Office of Lifelong Learning.

The AAS and BS plans of study in veterinary technology are not intended to meet the requirements for application to veterinary school to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

Degree Requirements


70 Credits Required

Departmental/Program Major Courses (63.5 credits)


Courses must be taken in specified order.

Other Departmental/Program Course Requirements (3-4 credits)


Electives (3.5 credits)


Transfer credit may be used to satisfy elective and other program course requirements. Consult your academic advisor.

Program Requirements


16 Credits


15 Credits


Summer 1st Year


Rotation is 6 wks - Two sections: Weeks 1-6 & 10-15 (Vacation for 9 weeks)

6.5-7.5 Credits


13.5 Credits


15 Credits


Summer 2nd Year


Practicum is 12 weeks (Vacation for 3 weeks)

4 Credits


Notes


  • 2.0 Graduation GPA required for Associate in Applied Science degree.
  • The Veterinary Nursing Program has additional academic standards.

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical.

In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.  Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful.  These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program”. 

Disclaimer


The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements.

The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.