Study Veterinary Technology
Work with and care for animals. In this program you’ll receive the technical training and knowledge required to become a veterinary technician. You will learn through a comprehensive range of courses and training related to the care of food and laboratory animals, as well as companion and sport animals. Plus, all students complete a four-week externship (industry placement).
As the companion and large animal industries continue to grow, the importance of animal care and wellness grows too. If you have an interest in the field of animal health, then training at Ridgetown Campus to become a Veterinary Technician is the right career path for you.
Program Benefits
Two delivery options
This program is offered in a 2 and 3 year option. Both delivery methods cover the same course content and offer practical training, but they vary in length and how the program is delivered. More below.
Learn from a variety of animals
Your studies feature training with companion, large, and laboratory animals in a clinical setting. Learn with cats, dogs, birds, horses, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, and pigs.
Innovative teaching team
You will learn from Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs), Veterinarians, and instructors with business/office administration expertise.
Top scores
Our graduates achieve top scores on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) to become Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs).
Unique degree pathways
Program graduates can receive transfer credits towards a degree. In many cases, eliminating 1 to 2 years of degree completion time!
Accreditation
Accredited by the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
3
on-campus small animal colonies
5
on-campus large animal species
6-week
industry work placement
Two Delivery Method Options
We are pleased to offer two delivery methods of the Associate Diploma in Veterinary Technology. Both delivery methods cover the same course content and offer practical training, but they vary in length and how the program is delivered.
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Conventional Delivery
- 2-year program, full-time at Ridgetown Campus (Ridgetown, ON) in the Fall and Winter semesters
- 4 semesters total
- 6 courses per semester
- 6-week Industry Work Placement at the end of semester 4
-
Alternative Delivery
- 3-year program, 9-semesters in length
- Combination of part-time and full-time delivery
- Semesters run consecutively each year of the program (Fall, Winter, Summer x3)
- Fall and Winter Semesters: Part-time Distance Education (study from home)
- Summer Semesters: Full-time On-Campus (in-person)
- 6-week Industry Work Placement at the end of semester 9
- Offered every 2 out of 3 years - Next intake is Fall 2023
Program Notes
- It is a mandatory requirement that students are vaccinated against rabies and hold a valid titre. The campus will organize vaccine shots on campus during the first few weeks of classes for new students in the program.
Required Courses
Notes
- All subjects are covered in each program but may appear with a different course title
- Conventional delivery requires the completion of 24 courses (12.00 credits) total
- Alternative delivery requires the completion of 32 courses (12.00 credits) total
- Progression into subsequent semesters is dependent on the successful completion of each course in the previous semester
- Successful completion of a 6-week Industry Work Placement is also required
- For a list of all courses and the curriculum layout, please refer to the Associate Diploma Calendar
- This is a physically demanding program
- There are no electives in this program
Careers
- Veterinary Technician (Companion, Mixed, or Large Animal Practice)
- Artificial Insemination Technician
- Pet Care Supply Representative
- Pharmaceutical Technical Representative
- Animal Research Technician
- Specialty or Referral Hospital Technician
There are currently 14 career opportunities posted on the job posting page
Admissions
- The Conventional delivery method of this program is oversubscribed (more applications received than spots available)
- Applications to the program, for both delivery methods, are assessed on an applicant's academic grades only; no other factors are considered
Current Ontario Secondary School Curriculum Minimum Course Requirements
- English: Grade 12 C or U English
- Math: Grade 12 C Math or any Grade 12 U Math
- Biology: Grade 11 C or U Biology
- Chemistry: Grade 12 C or Grade 11 U Chemistry
Each of the courses listed above must have:
- A minimum final grade of 75% at the ‘C’ level
- A minimum final grade of 65% at the ‘U’ level
* For students that completed their Ontario secondary schooling under the previous curriculum, please see Admission & Applying for the minimum course requirements
Admission Requirements
- The official secondary school (high school) graduation certificate/diploma that would admit you to an internationally recognized university in your home country is normally acceptable for applications to our programs
- For further details on out-of-country admission requirements, including the General Certificate of Education (GCE), please refer to the University of Guelph's website at admission.uoguelph.ca/international
- Official documents should come directly from the issuing institution or accreditation body in their official, sealed envelope. Where English translations are needed, please have the documents verified and sent by the issuing academic institution
- Post-secondary transcripts must be assessed by World Education Services (WES). Both a Credentialed assessment and a course-by-course assessment is required. Supporting documentation should be uploaded to your Ontario Colleges Application Account
English Proficiency
You will be required to present evidence of English Proficiency if:
- your primary or first language is not English, and
- you have had less than four years of full-time secondary school or post-secondary study, demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, in an English-language school system.
Ridgetown Campus reserves the right to deny admission to you if you do not demonstrate satisfactory facility in English, regardless of academic qualifications.
Francophone Canadian citizens educated in Canada will not be required to meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement. You will also be considered as having met the English Proficiency requirement if you completed the International Baccalaureate diploma where English was the language of instruction.
Acceptable English Proficiency Tests
International English Language Testing System (IELTS - Academic)
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
- Competence Level: Minimum overall band score of 70.
- Please note that the University of Guelph will be accepting the CAEL Online Test for Fall 2021 admission only and will re-evaluate the opportunity for future use.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Competence Level: Internet-based: minimum total score of 89 with no individual scaled score less than 21.
TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition
- Competence Level: Internet-based: minimum total score of 89 with no individual scaled score less than 21.
- Please note that the University of Guelph will be accepting TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition for Fall 2021 admission only and will re-evaluate the opportunity for future use.
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 60 and no score less than 60 for any individual component.
Advanced Level of the English Language Certificate Program (ELCP)
- Competence Level: Successful completion of the University of Guelph, Open Learning Advanced Level of the English Language Certificate Program (Levels 9 and 10).
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 176 with no band less than 169.
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 110.
The University of Guelph institution code is 0892.
Fees
Conventional Delivery
Ontario Resident Year 1 Approximate Costs | In CAD |
---|---|
Tuition | $3,306.06 |
Compulsory Fees | $3,636.86 |
Textbooks | $1,226.00 |
Residence (Double Room) | $3,420.00 |
Meal Plan | $4,261.00 |
Total | $15,849.92 |
Out of Province Year 1 Approximate Costs | In CAD |
---|---|
Tuition | $3,471.36 |
Compulsory Fees | $3,636.86 |
Textbooks | $1,226.00 |
Residence (Double Room) | $3,420.00 |
Meal Plan | $4,261.00 |
Total | $16,015.22 |
IInternational Year 1 Approximates Costs | In CAD |
---|---|
Tuition | $13,462.14 |
Compulsory Fees | $4,392.86 |
Textbooks | $1,226.00 |
Residence (Double Room) | $3,420.00 |
Meal Plan | $4,261.00 |
Total | $26,762.00 |
Alternative Delivery (3 semesters)
Ontario Resident Year 1 Approximate Costs | In CAD |
---|---|
Tuition | $2,202.16 |
Compulsory Fees | $2,915.89 |
Textbooks | $1,046.00 |
Total | $6,164.05 |
Out of Province Year 1 Approximate Costs | In CAD |
---|---|
Tuition | $2,312.27 |
Compulsory Fees | $2,915.89 |
Textbooks | $1,046.00 |
Total | $6,274.16 |
International Year 1 Approximates Costs | In CAD |
---|---|
Tuition | $TBC |
Compulsory Fees | $3,671.89 |
Textbooks | $1,046.00 |
Total | TBC |
Estimates based on 2022-2023 fee schedule.
Facilities
- Anatomy Lab
- Radiography Suite
- Dentistry Suite
- Microbiology and Hematology Labs
- Small Animal Surgery Suite
- Animal Pharmacy
- Nursing Rooms
- Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Swine, and Horse Barns
- Small Animal Kennels
- Vet Tech Building Student Lounge
- Assigned Student Lockers
- Classrooms
- Student Residence
- Cafeteria
- Gymnasium and Fitness Centre
- Library and Resource Centre
- Study Lounge