Veterinary Technology - New Major to be introduced in Spring 2020

Veterinary technicians and technologists are integral members of the veterinary team. They are entrusted with diverse medical responsibilities that include nursing care for variety of species, laboratory techniques, anesthesiology and surgical assisting, radiographic imaging and client education.

This new Veterinary Technology program is in the process of being approved by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). AVMA accreditation gives graduates the opportunity to take the Veterinary Technology Licensing Exam (VTNE), and become certified veterinary technicians. 

The students currently in the UMass Amherst Veterinary Technology program began their studies at the former Mount Ida College. To offer the same opportunity to UMass Amherst students, the UMass Amherst Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences designed a new 4 year Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology integrating the strengths of the UMass Amherst Animal Science/Pre-Vet majors and the legacy Mt. Ida Veterinary Technology program. 

Pending approval, the new UMass Amherst Bachelor’s of Science degree in Veterinary Technology program will provide students with the opportunity to spend their first two years at the Amherst campus farms and labs taking foundational courses applicable to small and large animal medicine including biology, chemistry, microbiology, clinical math,  and general education courses. Students will move to the Mt. Ida campus in Newton in the fall of their junior year and will continue to develop their skills at the vet tech facility. In Newton, students will take more specialized small animal coursework including:  radiology, anesthesiology and surgery, research animal management, immunology, pharmacology, parasitology, writing and discussion of legal and ethical issues in veterinary medicine, and preparation to take the Vet Tech National Exam. Students will also participate in internships at veterinary clinics and in the biotechnology industry.

For more information, please contact: 

Janice C. Telfer, Ph.D.
Professor
Undergraduate Program & Pre-Vet Advising Director
Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences
University of Massachusetts Amherst
427D ISB
661 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 545-5564
telfer [at] vasci.umass.edu