Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a veterinary technician?

A. A veterinary technician is similar to a registered nurse for animals. A technician provides assistance to veterinarians in primary animal care, in radiology, anesthesia, nursing, and laboratory. Technicians also assist veterinarians with client education, sales, and marketing.

Q. What is the difference between a veterinary technician and a veterinary assistant?

A. A technician is a person who has completed a two-year program of study and obtained an Associate in Science Degree. Technicians are responsible for the duties listed above. An assistant is primarily responsible for clerical duties, restraint, and assisting the technician.

Q. Is the job market for a technician good? What is the pay?

A. There are approximately five job vacancies for each graduate. The pay starts at about $12.00 to $14.00 per hour for new graduates. Pay will vary according to experience, locale, market and responsibility.

Q. Where can a person learn to be a veterinary technician?

A. There are currently 90 Veterinary Technology Programs in the United States accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Our Veterinary Technician Program is located at St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, Florida. The program was established in 1971 and was first accredited in 1978. Our Distance Education Program began in 1994 and acquired full accreditation in 2000. Our Bachelor of Applied Science Program started in January, 2005.

Q. What should I do if I want to enroll in the SPC Vet Tech program?

A. Step 1

1. If you have never been a student at SPC, submit the white College application form along with the required $35 fee. You also have the option of applying electronically.

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 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 Documentation form documenting the completion of at least 40 hours of observations and discussions with a veterinarian and veterinary technician in a veterinary practice.

Q. What is a placement test?

A. The placement test assesses your math, reading, and English skills. Booster courses will be recommended for people not ready for college level courses in English, math, and reading. Testing centers are at the Seminole, Clearwater , St. Petersburg , and Tarpon Springs campuses. The test is required unless you have previously earned an AA or BS Degree.

Q. When do I know if I am accepted?

A. After applications are complete and all transcripts have been evaluated, you will be notified by the Admissions Office of a drug screening. Upon completion of the drug screening, your file will then be reviewed by the selection committee. Once accepted, you will receive a letter informing you of your orientation date, along with any other forms that will need completion prior to registration of classes.

Q. When do new classes start?

A. New students may begin the campus program in the August session. Distance Education students may begin in either the August, January, or May session.

Q. What does the program cost?

A.

Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Q. What is expected of students entering the Veterinary Technology Distance Program

A. The SPC Veterinary Technology Distance Education Program is based on the following assumptions:

1. Completion of at least 18 of the 22 hours of general education and support courses including al communication, math and biology requirements with a minimum grade of “C” in all courses.

2. Students have the initiative, resourcefulness, and perseverance to work independently.

3. Students have a solid relationship with an employer veterinarian.

4. Students have experience using a computer and have access to a computer and modem.

5. Students must have Internet access.

Q. How many courses/credits should I take in a semester?

A. The recommended maximum academic load for distance students is seven credit hours. Although your online courses may meet for real-time sessions for approximately forty-five minutes each week, the course workload is equal to that required for the traditional on campus class, i.e. a three-credit class requires approximately nine hours of study and work. Distance Education students must obtain prior approval of the Program Director if they wish to enroll for more than seven credit hours in one semester.

Q. How often do classes meet?

A. The on-campus courses meet each week in one of the SPC classrooms. Class meetings are scheduled for fifty minutes for each credit hour per week and are held between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. (Eastern Time) The distance classes may meet for a 45 minute chat once each week on ANGEL, the SPC on-line site for distance classes. NOTE: Due to the shorter duration of the summer semester, the class meeting times on campus and on-line will be longer than the normal semesters.

Q. When do I register and pay my tuition?

A. Distance Education students may register online. The payment of fees is subject to a "due date." When a student's registration has been completed, a student is given a date by which to pay fees. Failure to do so results in cancellation of the schedule. Although the student is free to re-register, the student will not automatically be reinstated in the same courses. In some instances, scheduled classes may be canceled due to lack of adequate enrollment.

Q. How do I find out what Vet Tech classes are available?

A. You can get the class numbers for peoplesoft by going from the St. Petersburg College Homepage and click on the MySPC link. Don’t login at this point, go below the login box to the guest resources’ section. Click on the second bullet down labeled View Course Offerings. In the box for Term: type in 0395 (the number for the Summer 2008 session) and go down to the bottom and click on the Basic Search button. On the next screen in the Subject: box type in ATE then go to the bottom of the page and click on the Search button. Click on the OK for the next page and it will show you all the classes that are available for the Summer 2008 session.

Q. Do Distance students qualify for financial aid?

A. Yes. Financial assistance consists of scholarships, grants, loans, or paid employment offered to help a student meet college expenses. The amounts and types of financial assistance that a student receives are determined through federal, state, and institutional guidelines. For more information and applications for student financial assistance, call 727-341-4323.

Q.  When and where do I buy my textbooks?

A. Students should order books and course materials prior to the start of the session. Distance Education students are advised to order books online or via fax to the bookstore. Fax orders should include your complete name, shipping address, course numbers in which you are enrolled, list of desired material, and payment information. Phone orders are accepted but may delay your receipt of books and course materials. Click here for a link to the online bookstore.

Q. How "computer literate" need I be to begin the distance program?

A. Distance Education students should have the following minimum computer abilities:

• Word Processing
• Copy/Paste
• Saving files in different formats (Word processing, text, JPEG, GIF, etc.)
• Attachments
• File Management as saving, finding, and organizing files and directories
• Disk Handling
• Installation of Software
• Mouse Skills as click, double-click, click and drag
• General Configuration Knowledge
• Internet Terminology
• Dialing In/Logging In to Internet
• Using Browser Software (Netscape, Internet Explorer)
• Web Searching

Q. What other skills should I have to be successful in the online program?

A. Distance Education students must be capable of self-study. Additional online learning skills include:

• Active Learning
• Resourcefulness
• Working Independently
• Time Management
• Organizational Skills
• Taking Responsibility

Q. What is required of my clinic and me?

A. Students are required to work a minimum of 20 hours per week in a veterinary facility while enrolled in the distance program. Most students will find it necessary to establish relationships at more than one clinic. The primary facility must have at least one licensed veterinarian who is an AVMA member and must have a minimum of 70% of the required equipment. Veterinarians and other staff members must have the time and expertise to assist the student in performing at least 70% of the essential skills.

Q. How does testing take place in the online program?

A. Distance Education students are required to complete midterm and final examinations for each course. Examinations must be proctored by an individual from a commercial testing center or by a full-time university or college faculty member.

Q. What is ANGEL?

A. ANGEL is the ecampus (on-line) site where your classes take place. It has the entire contents of the course posted up on the site. There is a reference section, message boards, links, exam sections as well as the "classroom" where the weekly chats take place.

Q. Do I have to register for ANGEL?

A. No, if you have a course in ANGEL, the instructor will "import" you into that class, usually a day or so before the course actually begins. You won't be able to access it until right before the class begins though, and that leaves most students a little worried. But if you have registered for the course, it will appear on your computer.

Q. How do I keep in contact with my instructor and fellow students?

A. Through the Message Boards in ANGEL - it is VITAL that you access the message boards in your courses at least 5 times per week. This is where all the communication between classes takes place Each course contains its own Message Boards as well as its own e-mail for you to communicate with your instructor and fellow students in the course.

Q. What is meant by "Online Chat Protocol?"

A. For those of you that are new to online learning, during the real-time session it is easy to get confused with things scrolling across the screen as fast as someone can type. We try to maintain things in a relaxed but "structured" way. During the session, if you would like to add a comment to the current discussion, just type an exclamation point (!). Your instructor will give you the floor (actually, the screen) by typing GA for Go Ahead followed by your name. If you would like to ask a question about the material then just type a question mark (?). Again, you will get the GA and you can ask your question. It does make the class go a little faster if you start to type your comment or question as soon as you send the ! or ?; just don't send until you get the GA.

Whenever the instructor asks you a YES or NO question, you should respond with a Y or N. The instructor will know that you are there and paying attention, and just as importantly, your internet server will see that you are ACTIVE on the internet and will usually NOT bump you offline.

Occasionally, you will get knocked offline. When this happens, simply get back online ASAP and re-join your class already in progress.

Q. What can I do if I lose Internet access or my computer "crashes?"

A. Emergencies happen. Remember, you can access your classes with a "borrowed computer" if you have an emergency. Have a workable contingency plan in mind as to where to go and use a borrowed computer for internet access should something happen.