FAQs: Gwinnett Technical College Veterinary Technology Program

When is the application deadline?
June 20th of each year.

When do students start the program?
A new group of students are accepted every fall quarter.

Can students attend the program part time?
No, because the program is lock step which means the courses are presented in a certain sequence requiring continuing enrollment.

Are there any prerequisite courses that must be completed prior to admission to the program?
Yes.  Chemistry must be completed with a grade of a ‘C’ or better prior to the application deadline of June 20th as well as its math prerequisite/corequisite.  Also the Biology course must be completed by the June 20th application deadline. If these courses are to be taken at some other campus it would be wise to verify with our admissions office that they are an equal transfer.  Not all college chemistry courses meet this program requirement.  Also, students should be aware that if they are planning to take any courses here, they should register as soon as their assigned time allows.  Waiting may result in failure to get into the class you need.

What if the Chemistry 1111 course is full when I register to take it?
You can check for the availability of the course during the drop/add registration period.

If I transfer in all of the non-VET courses can I complete the program in less than seven quarters?
No, as the VET courses are offered only once a year, one time a year. Your schedule will be lighter during the first year than those who have not taken courses prior to being accepted into the program.

Is the program offered at night?
The veterinary courses are only offered during the day and the program is considered to be a full time day program.  However many of the core courses are offered at night.

Are the veterinary courses offered more than once a year?
No.  Each course is offered only once a year at one time a year with the exception of the two laboratory courses, VET 102 and 212.  A day and night session may be offered depending on the number of students enrolled.

How are students accepted into the program?
Admission is competitive.  The following are currently considered in the acceptance process:  High school and college GPA, high school and college math and science GPA, core course GPA, interview, non-VET
course completion, attendance of a mandatory orientation, and submission of an essay.

What do I do if I don’t get accepted?
Reapply.  If you haven’t completed the core courses, those can be completed which students say makes the program easier to deal with.

Do you have a waiting list?
No.  Students not accepted will need to reapply.  After the students are accepted for the upcoming class, no other students will be accepted for that academic year.

Do you allow students to defer start of the program after being accepted to the following year due to personal problems, etc?
No, students would need to reapply.

Does Gwinnett Tech house animals on campus?
No.  Hands on training in this program is accomplished for the most part by field trips to veterinary facilities and clinical site rotation assignments.

During which courses do students rotate through veterinary clinics?
The fifth quarter of the program, during VET 213 the students are assigned to a clinical site that they train in on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  During the sixth quarter, during VET 223, the students are assigned to two clinics to train in.  Students spend five weeks in one and then spend the remaining five weeks at the other, with the same schedule as with VET 213.  During the seventh quarter (the last quarter) the students take VET 230, which is their internship.  The students may select a clinical site for training, approved by the program director.  Thirty-six hours a week, Monday through Thursday is spent at that site.  With all of these courses there are exceptions to the clinical rotation day schedule.  For example when field trips are occurring or there are guest speakers on campus, students would not report to their clinical site that day.

Do I get paid during the clinical rotations?
No.

What field trips do students go on during the program?
Currently the students go on trips to the UGA Dairy Barn and a UGA horse facility to complete large animal competencies.  Laboratory animal competencies are completed during a two-day session at Emory University.  Students also attend a behind the scenes tour of Zoo Atlanta and a large animal anesthesia seminar at the College of Veterinary Medicine at UGA.

Is the program accredited?
Yes, by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Do I have to work with cows if I have no interest in them?
Yes.  All students are required to complete all of the competencies of the program as dictated by the AVMA to graduate from this program. This means that students will work with not only dogs and cats but also cattle, horses, rats, mice, birds and rabbits, for example.   

Can I work while I am in the program?
Holding down a full time job will be difficult especially during the second year of the program.  During the second year of the program students are occupied with the program Monday through Friday roughly from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Most students who work are working at night and on weekends.

How many graduates find employment?
The program has a 100% job placement rate as there are more veterinary technician positions than people to fill them.  This is true in other parts of the country as well.

What is the pass rate of the program students who take the National Board Examination for Veterinary Technicians?
The graduates have 99% pass rate on the board examination.

What is the average cost for tuition and books for the program?
The tuition for the two years runs approximately $4400.00 and textbook cost   is roughly $2000.00.  There is a $ 50.00/VET course supply fee. Other expenses include uniforms, name tags, stethoscopes, scissors, thyroid shields, etc.  An estimate of these expenses is roughly $285.00.

Can I enter the Veterinary Technology Program if I have a criminal record?
Students can enter the program but the state may not grant you a license after you graduate if you have a criminal background. The State Board of Veterinary Medicine handles these issues on a case by case basis. They would need to be contacted by the student for a determination.

Is there a dress code while attending the program? 
Yes, there is. See the attached sheet.

Classroom Dress Code

For certain courses in the program, medical scrubs (traditional v-neck scrub top and traditional or surgical-style pants) and athletic or nursing shoes will be the required attire. Appropriate under garments must be worn. (No thong underwear.) When wearing shirts under scrub tops, they should be in good condition, be of a similar color or match the scrub top, not be designed or printed, and be tucked in and not showing. The sleeves should not be showing unless the undershirt has long sleeves. Hats are not allowed to be worn in any program courses.  Clothing and accessories must also comply with the Veterinary Technology Infection Control Plan of which you have received a copy.   For courses that do not require medical scrubs, the following are infractions to what would be considered appropriate college dress:

• Failure to wear attire appropriate for a mature learning environment. Inappropriate attire includes, but is not limited to, the following: short skirts and/or dresses, tight shorts, swimsuits, low rise pants, tank or tube tops, low cut tops.
• Failure to dress completely. Uniform tops must be fitted to maintain modesty.  (i.e., no bare midriffs, bare feet, etc.).When wearing scrub tops, a t-shirt or tank top must be worn underneath.
• Failure to maintain personal hygiene. (i.e., cleanliness of body and clothing.)
• Inappropriate hair color or style. Starting second quarter hair color must be that which is appropriate for a professional setting. For example, pink hair or black hair with purple stripes will not be allowed.
• Wearing emblems, insignia, badges, symbols or attire that contain inappropriate, lewd, or vulgar messages or that denote gang affiliation, where the effect thereof may be construed as offensive to a reasonable person or might otherwise cause disruption or interference with the orderly operations of the college and program.
• Failure to wear Gwinnett Tech identification badge.

Personal Appearance (Dress Code) for Clinical Rotations
The personal appearance and demeanor of Veterinary Technology students reflect both the school and program standards and are indicative of the students’ interest and pride in their profession. Any student reporting to their clinical assignment in improper (soiled, untidy, dirty shoes, etc.) uniform or attire will be sent home by the clinical supervisor. Program faculty and clinical supervisors reserve the right to deem certain scrub patterns as inappropriate for clinical rotations.

Approved Clinical Attire: Males/Females
*These items are in addition to the classroom dress code previously outlined.

• Scrubs (Traditional v-neck scrub top and traditional or surgical-style pants.) A t-shirt or tank top must be worn underneath the scrub top.
  Note: Program faculty and clinical supervisors reserve the right to disallow any scrub patterns or styles deemed inappropriate or unprofessional.
• Appropriate under garments must be worn. (No thong underwear.)
• Clean, polished white uniform or solid white leather athletic shoes (no high-tops).
• Clean, neat, and appropriate hairstyle and color (example:  no black hair with pink stripes, purple hair, etc.)
• Fingernails will be short, neat, and clean. No polish, clear or colored, can be used.
• Offensive odors are prohibited.  This includes cologne, perfume, after shave and cigarette smoke as these are offensive to clients, coworkers, and patients.
• Daily body cleanliness and appropriate deodorant or antiperspirant should be used.
• Jewelry can be dangerous to both a student and patient. One ring and one watch with a second hand may be worn. One pair of stud earrings, one earring per ear, only.
• All other jewelry is prohibited.
• No visible body piercing is allowed.
• No visible body tattoos.