Admission Requirements

Admission to the Veterinary Technology Program is based upon the following minimum requirements:

1. Admission to St. Petersburg College.
2. Completion of application to St. Petersburg College, including $35 application fee, the Veterinary Technology Program application and high school (or GED) and college transcripts. Students who have completed an A.A. or B.A. Degree are not required to submit high school transcripts.
3. Achievement of a minimum grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale for high school courses or for college-level courses.
4. Completion of pre-entrance testing and all college preparatory work.
5. Completion of at least 18 hours of the required Veterinary Technology general education and support courses including composition, math, and biology through enrollment or transfer credits with a minimum grade of “C” in all courses.
6. Submission of documentation of Veterinary Technology related experience in accordance with specific program requirements including the completion of at least 40 hours of observations and discussions with a veterinarian and veterinary technician in a veterinary practice.  The specific items to observe and discuss are listed in the Veterinary Hospital Observation and Discussion form.
7. Applicants to the Veterinary Technology program, in advance of admission into the program, must answer the following questions as a part of a necessary screening program to work under the College's registrant's registration as required by Drug Enforcement Administration rules.
   • Question: Within the past five (5) years have you been convicted of a felony or within the past two (2) years any misdemeanor or are you presently formally charged with committing any criminal offense? (Do not include any traffic violations, juvenile offenses or military convictions except by general courts martial). If your answer is yes, furnish details of conviction, offense, locations, date and sentence.
   • Question: In the past three (3) years have you ever knowingly used any narcotics, amphetamines or barbiturates other than those prescribed to you by a physician? If the answer is yes, furnish details. The applicant shall further authorize in writing inquiries of courts, law enforcement agencies and other sources for possible pending charges or convictions. The applicant must be advised that any false information or omission of information will jeopardize their standing as an applicant/student and that information furnished or recovered as a result of any inquiry will not necessarily preclude them from the program, but will be considered as a part of an overall evaluation. The student's record will otherwise retain their right of privacy as provided by and subject to both the state and federal law.
   • Student applications may be submitted at any time prior to December 1 for the January class and July 1 for the August class. Completed applications are processed on a first- come, first-served basis to be considered for admission into the next class. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT APPLICATIONS BE SUBMITTED ABOUT 1 SEMESTER IN ADVANCE OF DESIRED START DATE.
8. Provisional acceptance may be granted to a student who is currently completing admissions prerequisites.
9. In addition to the requirements above, students applying to the Distance Education Program should be computer literate, and be working at least 20 hours per week for a veterinary hospital or veterinarian.

Special Progress Requirements

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all designated prerequisite courses in order to take program courses following in sequence.

How to Apply for Admission

Step 1

1. If you have never been a student at SPC, submit the College application form along with the required $35 fee. You may also apply online at MySPC.
2. Submit transcripts from your high school (unless you have an AA or higher degree) and any colleges you have attended and/or take the college placement test. (International students should review the International Center Information on the college web site.) Please have the transcripts mailed to the Vet Tech Department at SPC's Health Center. That way we can make a copy for our file before they are sent to Central Records on the Tarpon Campus.
3. Review the College Orientation.

Step 2

1. Submit the Health Programs Application (pdf) form for allied health programs.
2. Complete at least 18 hours of the required Veterinary Technology general education and support courses including composition, math, and biology through enrollment or transfer credits with a minimum grade of “C” in all courses.
3. Submit a completed Veterinary Hospital Observation and Discussion form documenting the completion of at least 40 hours of observations and discussions with a veterinarian and veterinary technician in a veterinary practice.