BAS Vet Tech Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Must I have an AS degree before starting the BAS program?
A: Yes, you need an AS degree in Veterinary Technology in order to be admitted.
Q: What if I have an AA degree instead?
A: You must have the Vet Tech AS degree, because the AS courses are prerequisites for the upper division courses. You’ll have to fulfill SPC’s general education AA requirements before graduation, so if you already have an AA degree it will be beneficial for you. However, it is not required since these courses can be taken in conjunction with the BAS Vet Tech courses.
Q: Besides the general education requirements and upper division Vet Tech courses, is there anything else I need to complete while in the program?
A: The CLAST exam is required unless you’ve received an AA
degree in
Q: When can I apply to the program?
A: The program will
offer courses and admit new students every semester- fall, spring and
summer. There is currently no
application deadline, but please apply early to ensure that your paperwork and
transcripts are processed on time.
Applying early also helps guarantee a spot in your preferred
classes.
Q: How do I apply to the BAS program?
A: Go to the college
website at www.spcollege.edu. Click on Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees
(bottom right) and then Veterinary Technology.
Under “How to Register” you’ll need to complete the baccalaureate
supplement and general college application.
There is a one page informational sheet, then a next button, and then
the application. You’ll also need to
send us your official transcripts.
Please call 727-341-3406 if you have questions about the admission
process.
Q: Do I still submit an application and transcripts if I was once an SPC student?
A: If you’ve been an SPC student in the last year and none of your pertinent information has changed, then you only need to complete the Baccalaureate Application Supplement. If your information has changed since you’ve been an SPC student or if you haven’t taken a class with us in the past year then you’ll need to complete the SPC Application for Admission and check “Readmit”. The application fee is not required. You must also complete the Baccalaureate Application Supplement. Central Records should have transcripts for all former SPC students unless you took classes after attending the college. You will be notified if we do not have them.
Q: As an international student, how do I get my transcripts evaluated?
A: If your credits
are from institutions outside the
Q: When will I hear if I am admitted to the program?
A: Your application/s will go to our Central Records office while awaiting your transcripts. Once your transcripts have been evaluated, your file will be sent to the BASVT Baccalaureate Specialist who will then notify you of your acceptance status. If you would like to check on your transcripts or application at Central Records you can call 727-712-5868 or email Proctor.Debbie@spcollege.edu.
Q: Are all of the BAS Vet Tech courses online?
A: Yes, and there are 45 minutes assigned per week (per course) where you are expected to participate online with your instructor and other classmates. All the other work is done at your convenience, but with specific due dates.
Q: What are the admission requirements?
A: Check out our Admission Requirements and Program Checklist at http://www.spcollege.edu/bachelors/vtech_main.php.
Q: Do I need to provide my certification for admission?
A: You do not need to provide your certification to be admitted to this program. You do need to provide a copy of your certification, license, registration or passing score on the Veterinary Technician National Examination in order to receive the 10 credit waiver on the 40 hour requirement in the upper division courses. You can send this documentation to Central Records along with your application and transcripts.
Q: How many credits is the degree?
A: The BAS degree totals 120 hours and the curriculum can be found at http://www.spcollege.edu/bachelors/vtech_curr.php. You will come in with 41 credits from the AS degree. Assuming you have your license, certification, registration or passing score on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (for 10 course credits), there are 32 additional upper division required course credits- 12 of these are core and 20 are elective hours in your track (either clinical or hospital management). All students must then also meet the SPC AA general education requirements which total 37 credits.
Q: What are the course descriptions for the BAS program?
A: View Upper
Division course descriptions at http://www.spcollege.edu/bachelors/vtech_courses.php
Q: Can I take courses for personal interest without seeking an actual degree?
A: You can take up to 12 hours as a non-degree
seeking student with permission from the Dean.
Students must have at least 15 semester hours to enroll in the hospital
management courses and a Vet Tech AS degree to enroll in clinical courses.
Q: Do I need a drug test before being admitted?
A: No, that is not a requirement for the BAS program.
Q: Can credit be awarded if I’m currently working in the field?
A: Experiential Learning enables students to earn credit for a course when they have learned enough of the content through other means. See our website at http://www.spcollege.edu/central/career/. You could most likely earn credit in entry level laboratory courses but they are only one credit courses. The difficulty in earning this credit is that the process of documenting your knowledge and skills can be nearly as much work as taking the course, especially compared to the online course. This is because in the online lab courses are more adapted to the individual. You can quickly do the assignments for skills you currently have and then focus your time and effort on the new skills you are learning.
Q: How much money will this cost and how can I find out about financial aid?
A: Tuition is $76.09
per credit hour for
Q: Can I take BAS courses at SPC and earn something besides the BAS degree?
A: Yes, you can. The Hospital Manager Certificate Program (http://www.spcollege.edu/webcentral/acad/vethm-atc.htm) is available for those without an AS degree in Vet Tech: The Hospital Management Certificate for Graduate Technicians is a shorter program available for those with the AS degree in Vet Tech: http://www.spcollege.edu/hec/vt/.
Q: Can I get a Hospital Management certificate and a BAS degree?
A: Yes, if you have an AS degree in Vet Tech, you can do both programs.
Q: Is there a recommended order to the courses?
A: Yes, there is a recommended sequence for each offering (Hospital Management certificates for graduate technicians, for other hospital staff, and tracks within the BAS Degree).
Q: How many courses should be taken at a time?
A: Most students are working full time and will be most comfortable with 1-2 courses per semester.
Q: How much time does each course take?
A: The normal rule of thumb is to allow 3 hours per week per credit hour. This time will include the weekly chats as well as study, reading and homework.
Q: What is the benefit of a BAS degree to me?
A: The baccalaureate degree makes you eligible and better prepared for teaching positions, jobs in the pharmaceutical, food and medical equipment industry, management positions in private practices, and advancement in your present employment.
If you have additional questions please contact:
Djuan Fox, Baccalaureate Admissions 727-341-3406, 4yeardegrees@spcollege.edu
Robyn Trew, Baccalaureate Specialist 727-341-3794, Trew.Robyn@spcollege.edu
Dr. Carol Schubert, Baccalaureate Faculty (*
Dr. Richard Flora, Baccalaureate Faculty 727-341-3479, flora.richard@spcollege.edu