Pre-Veterinary Technology/Nursing Overview

The Pre-Veterinary Technology/Nursing program at Rhodes State College develops skills that students need to work in veterinary hospitals, humane societies, zoos, colleges and universities, pharmaceutical companies, pet food companies, research laboratories, feed yards and dairies.

Rhodes State has partnered with Colby Community College to offer the prerequisite courses required for admission into Colby’s Veterinary Nursing Program. Students can begin during any semester to take the required general education courses at Rhodes State College, work with a community veterinary hospital for observation and internship, and take on-line courses through Colby Community College.  After graduation, students are required to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination and register with the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board to practice as a veterinary technician/nurse.

Pre-Veterinary Technology/Nursing Highlights

Students can start any semester and work with Rhodes State College for the first year to complete all pre-requisites and application to the Colby Distance Learning Veterinary Technology Program.

  • 20 hours of general education prerequisite courses taken through Rhodes State College*
  • 4 hours of veterinary technology courses taken on-line through Colby Community College*
  • minimum of 30 hours of observation/work experience at a community veterinary hospital verified with appropriate documentation using DLVTP Veterinary Observation Work Experience Form

*Prerequisite courses must be completed with a "C" or better to be eligible to apply to the program.  Admission to the program is a selective process.

Pre-Veterinary Technology/Nursing Program Briefing

Our program briefings are designed to introduce you to the profession, job opportunities, program requirements, and other important information you will need to get started. 

Register for a briefing

Career Opportunities

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of veterinary technologists and technicians ito grow 16 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

additional info about the career

Admission Requirements

Students complete prerequisite requirements through Rhodes State College, on-line Colby Community College courses and live observation/work experience through a community veterinary hospital of their choosing.  Upon successful completion of prerequisite courses with a "C" or better and submission of the Veterinary Observation/Work Experience Form a student is eligible to apply to the Colby Community College Distance Learning Veterinary Nursing program. The program requires selective admission. Once admitted the students complete traditional classroom course work online while obtaining hands-on experience in veterinary hospitals of their choosing.  Students are not required to meet at scheduled times each week for class nor attend campus visits.  However,  there is an on-campus weekend mentorship known as a "fly-in" once during the fall semester for the microbiology, large animal and laboratory animal/exotic pet courses if a student does not have access to these species in their community. The program requires 60 credit hours of program specific coursework on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time program curriculum.

Pre-Veterinary Technology/Nursing Plan of Study

view plan of study

Accreditation Information

Rhodes State College and Colby Community College are each accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60604

The Veterinary Nursing Program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
American Veterinary Medical Association
1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360

 

Student Success Navigator

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Jodi Maynhart

Student Success Navigator
Maynhart.J@RhodesState.edu
(419) 995-8109