Admission Requirements

Competition for admission to the Veterinary Technology Open Learning program is extremely intensive and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.

Please ensure you meet all the educational & other admission requirements before you proceed with your application.

Educational Requirements

• Grade 12 or equivalent
• English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or equivalent, with a minimum of C+
• Foundations of Mathematics 11 or equivalent, with a minimum of C+
• Life Sciences 11 (formerly Biology 11) or equivalent, with a minimum of C+
• Strongly recommend Anatomy and Physiology 12 (formerly Biology 12) or BIOL 0600 as in the first semester students must have a working knowledge of animal anatomy to perform physical examinations including eye and ear exams on live patients, under the supervision of a clinical mentor. For patient safety, tasks such as understanding anatomical locations and basic physiology MUST be developed prior to the program to ensure student success.

Any pre-requisite courses in progress MUST be completed with an official transcript submitted by October 1 of the year prior to the January start date.

General Requirements

• Proof of Canadian citizenship (copy of birth certificate or passport) or permanent resident status
• Completed Clinic Affiliation Package
  • Validation form of working in a CVMA accredited mixed or small animal veterinary clinic for a minimum of 260 paid hours per semester.
  • ClinicMentor(CM) Signature Package
  • Health & Safety awareness form
  • Fear Free Certification Form
    • Consent Form for Online Classroom Activities
  • Orientation Questionnaire (be thorough and detailed)
  • Student Awareness Document
• Up-to-date vaccination record, including rabies
• Three reference forms required
• If educated in a country where English is not an official language – accepted English Language Proficiency test results

All required courses and admission documents must be completed and submitted by the application deadline (October 1)

The application process for TRU VTEC is not a first come, first serve system. Please take your time to fill out all documents thoroughly to ensure the application committee has a good understanding of your life and educational experiences.

Program Requirements

The student must be employed by the Clinic Affiliation Site (CAS) for a minimum of 260 paid hours per semester (13-week period) as a veterinary assistant for the duration of the semester in which the student is currently enrolled. Volunteering at a facility does not qualify entry into this program. This online program will not be effective unless the student is employed in a modern, progressive veterinary clinic for the duration of the course in which they are currently enrolled.

Veterinary Technicians are expected to not only understand their field but also be able to perform the tasks that they have learned. This can only be accomplished by physically performing the tasks and repeating them to attain proficiency. The CAS must provide a TRU Open Learning VTEC Program approved Clinical Mentor (either a DVM or RVT with a minimum of two years post-grad clinical experience) for the student. The Clinical Mentor must be identified in the TRU Clinic Affiliation Form CAF.

The TRU VTEC Program must have received a Clinic Affiliation Form with the student application. This agreement details the responsibilities of the CAS and the Clinical Mentor in regards to student mentoring. In addition, it will also verify that the clinic meets or exceeds the CVBC/CVMA Practice Standards.

This agreement will be automatically renewed annually for the duration of the student's participation in the program unless there has been a change in the student's circumstances.

This program utilizes an on-line delivery system. Therefore, the student must have ready access to high speed internet. All daily communication between instructors and students is on-line; quizzes and many assignments are completed and submitted over the internet using Moodle. Therefore students taking the online program should have basic computer, program and video uploading knowledge.

Qualifications for the Clinic Affiliation Site

• CVBC/CVMA approved full-service clinic
• Small (dog and cat) or mixed animal practice
• Employ student a minimum of 260 hours per semester throughout the three-year VTEC OL Program (volunteering at a clinic does not qualify you for admission)
• Must provide proof of long-term employment (greater than six months) with application

Qualifications for the Clinical Mentor(s)

• DVM (licensed to practice in Canada) or
• Credentialed RVT with minimum two years post graduate clinical experience
• You may have multiple CMs

Courses

Available in Canada only for students enrolled in the Veterinary Technology diploma Open Learning program.

Veterinary Technology Open Learning Program — 75 credits

Prerequisite Courses

First Year Courses

Second Year Courses

Third Year Courses