Veterinary Technicians (also known as Veterinary Nurses) are a critical part of the Veterinary Healthcare team and are in high demand nationwide.

The Vet Tech Program at Northwestern has been successfully training credentialed Veterinary Technicians for over 20 years.

What sets our Vet Tech Program apart? 

• Students learn on-site in our state-of-the-art Joyner Health Sciences Center, which includes fully functional veterinary radiology, dentistry, laboratory and surgical suites. 
• Part-time and Hybrid course availability provide flexibility for working students 
• Students interested in working with exotic pets, zoo animals, large animals or lab animal medicine can a complete specialized externship in their second year 
• Small classes mean personalized attention and support throughout the program 

Interested in learning more? Read about our Program Admissions, Program Application, and Program Courses below!

Mission and Information

The Associate Degree in this AVMA fully-accredited program will prepare students for immediate employment in veterinary offices, biological research facilities, drug and feed manufacturing companies, and in the animal production industry. The objective of this program is to provide the classroom, laboratory, and field experience that will prepare students to be job entry-level competent in all of the above, with a special focus on companion animal medicine and practice. After completing the Associate Degree program, eligible students may transfer to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut to major in either Animal Science or Pathobiology. The NCCC Veterinary Technology Program promotes graduate success through a combination of challenging studies, extensive on-site hands-on learning opportunities, affiliations with off-site veterinary clinics, and continued emphasis on the need for lifelong learning.

State License Notice:

Credentialing of Veterinary Technicians varies by state and includes Licensed, Registered, and Certified Veterinary Technicians (referred to as LVT, RVT, and CVT, respectively). Certification of Veterinary Technicians in the State of Connecticut is currently voluntary. Individuals wishing to become certified must be graduates of an accredited Veterinary Technology Program and pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination. For a complete list of requirements by state, please visit: https://www.navta.net/page/credentialing

The NCCC Veterinary Technology program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National  Exam (VTNE). Below is a report of the last three year’s candidates and average pass rate for the VTNE.

Program Admission

The Veterinary Technology Program (VTP) at Northwestern is a Selective Admissions Program, and pre-requisite courses are required. The program always begins in the fall semester, and the application period for entry in the fall of 2024 is from October 1, 2023 – April 1, 2024.

As the Community Colleges merge into CT State in 2023, course numbers and some program requirements will change. The information below is for students seeking to enter the VTP in the fall of 2023 or beyond. Students interested in applying to the VTP are strongly encouraged to make an Advising Appointment as soon as possible, to ensure that they are making the proper course selections to meet their academic goals.

Program Prerequisites Courses:

• ENG 1010 (currently ENG101): English Composition with a “C” or better
• BIO 1210 (currently BIO121) General Biology (or equivalent) with a “C” or better
• MATH 1010 or higher, with a “C” or better (Students with other MATH credits or placement scores should consult their advisor to determine eligibility)
• CHEM 1110 (currently CHE111) Concepts of Chemistry (or equivalent) with a “C” or better
• *CCS 1001 College Career Success

Special Notes on Prerequisite Courses:

• Students are encouraged to have all prerequisite coursework completed prior to the application deadline. Students with In-Progress prerequisite courses will be considered on a space-available basis and will be granted a conditional acceptance dependent upon successful course completion..
• Higher-level MATH, BIO, and CHEM may be used to meet requirements, subject to a review of course content. Additionally, placement scores can be used to demonstrate competency in the Math requirement
• BIO and CHEM prerequisites must be taken within 5 years of admission
• *CCS 1001 is not required prior to admission but is required for graduation. It is strongly recommended that this course be completed prior to entering the program as the course load within the program is highly demanding.
• Students interested in transferring to UCONN should meet with their advisor prior to registering for classes, as higher-level prerequisite coursework may be required.

Questions regarding VTP prerequisites should be addressed to Rebecca Russo, Student Services Coordinator for Nursing and Allied Health, at RRusso@nwcc.edu.

Additional Program Requirements:

• A Health Assessment, tetanus vaccine and proof of Rabies vaccination or titer are required prior to participation in VET courses other than VET1001.
• Students should be capable of lifting a minimum of 50# and be in overall good health
• Although not required, it is strongly recommended that students experience a minimum of 20 hours working or observing in a veterinary health-care setting prior to application. This experience will help you gain insight into the role of a veterinary technician and help ensure that veterinary technology is the right career path for you.

Program Application:

The process for applying to Selective Admissions Programs at all campuses of CT State Community College is changing. Starting October 1, 2023, all Selective Admissions applications must be initiated through a CT State College Application. Further information on how to apply to this Selective Admissions program can be found at https://ctstate.edu/selective-admissions.

The application for the Veterinary Technology Program includes documentation of prerequisite coursework, an Essay Application, submission of two Reference Forms (one professional and one personal or academic), and in some cases an Interview process. Students must first submit the initial CT State Application, at which point instructions regarding the submission of supplemental items will be made available.

The Video below provides a thorough overview of the Vet Tech Program at Northwestern, as well as information on career options for veterinary technicians. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in the field, or in applying to the Vet Tech Program. However, some of the prerequisite courses and application procedures discussed in the video will be changing with the merger to CT State; please be sure to refer to the updated information found elsewhere on this webpage.

More information regarding program academic, health, and vaccination requirements, as well as program costs, can be found in the Vet Tech Program Info Packet.

Faculty

Adriane Cavanna, VMD, Program Coordinator, acavanna@nwcc.edu, 860.738.6485
Kat Smith, MS, CVT, ksmith1@nwcc.edu, 860.738.6490
Sheryl Keeley, CVT, Program Technician, skeeley@nwcc.edu, 860.738.6483
Hillary McCarty, CVT, hmccarty@nwcc.edu, 860.738.6447

Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates should be able to:

1.  Demonstrate a solid understanding of the wide variety of knowledge needed within the career, including anatomy and physiology, laboratory procedures, medical and surgical nursing skills, and clinical pathology.
2. Demonstrate the entry-level skills and the knowledge applicable for a wide variety of careers, including employment at veterinary clinics, zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centers, research facilities, pharmaceutical sales, as well as drug and feed manufacturing companies.
3. Sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination.
4. Demonstrate analytical problem-solving and decision-making skills applicable to the role of the veterinary technician in the field of animal healthcare.

Total Credits: 69-76 credits**      Total VET* Credits: 53 credits       Total Gen Ed Credits: 15-22 credits**

*VET 1002 satisfies Oral Communication requirement; BIO 1210 is core program course
** Lowest credit total indicates both MATH and CHEM prereqs were met via AP or college placement testing

Note: A minimum grade of “C” (2.00) is required in all VET* designated courses. Additionally, all VET* designated courses must be completed within 5 years of graduation.