Skip to main content
Sign in

Veterinary Technician

Available: Fall

Program Description

This program trains para-professional personnel to support and complement veterinary practitioners, public health officers and biomedical research scientists.

This highly respected program is located at Seneca’s picturesque King Campus in the GTA. In addition to its state–of–the–art facility and equipment, the program is well recognized for its excellent instructors, quality graduates and high placement rates.

Provincial Registration

In order to practice in Ontario as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), graduates must meet and maintain specific qualifications and conditions of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT), including successful completion of the Veterinary Technician Examination. Seneca's Veterinary Technician (VTE) program has been approved by the OAVT Board of Directors.
For more information on RVT qualifications, please visit oavt.org.

Areas of Study

As a student in VTE, you will study animal behaviour; small, large and laboratory animal nursing; dentistry; anaesthesiology; nutrition; clinical pathology; parasitology; microbiology; radiography; pharmacology; surgical techniques; comparative anatomy and physiology; genetics and liberal studies. You will also learn animal care and responsibilities, as they are important components of the program.

Your studies will include small group hands–on learning and comprehensive instruction in small, large and laboratory companion animals.

Apply Online

Canadian Students

Campus

Duration

4 Semesters (2 Years)

Credential Awarded

Ontario College Diploma

Your Career

Become a Veterinary Technician. With our four-semester diploma program, you will gain the skills and knowledge you need to pursue a career in veterinary practices, health science schools, hospitals, research institutes, the food industry, wildlife services, zoological parks, government agencies and industry sales.

Affiliations/Associations

  • American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reciprocity
  • Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) teaching facility
  • Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT) teaching facility
  • College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) licensed veterinary facility
  • Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Good Animal Practice (GAP) certified
  • Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) registration

Field Work

You will benefit from work experience in a veterinary facility sometime during the first three semesters. In the fourth semester, you will gain further practical experience by working in an animal care facility.

Related Careers

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.

Program Learning Outcomes

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent with:
    • Grade 12 English: ENG4(C) or ENG4(U)
    • Grade 11 Biology: (C) or (U)
    • Grade 12 Chemistry: (C) or (U)  (Grade 11U is accepted)
    • Grade 12 Mathematics: (C) or (U) or Grade 11 Mathematics: (U) or (M)
  • OR Mature Student Status (age 19 or older) with the above prerequisite course(s), their equivalent(s) or appropriate Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Certificate program credits (see Academic Upgrading).

Applicant Selection

  • Applicants will be invited to attend an orientation where they will complete the pre-admissions English and math test.
  • Applicants are ranked based on the strength of the pre-admissions English and math test as well as academic grades.
  • Admission to this program is competitive. Only the top ranked will be offered a seat in the program.

Prior to Beginning of Class

  • Pre-exposure immunization for rabies
  • Due to the physical requirements of the career, the ability to lift 25kg is needed
  • Although not required for admission, the following are recommended for your success in the program:
    • Senior Physics (C) or (U)
    • Prior work experience with animals.

Additional Requirements

  • Pre–Admissions English and math test – Cost $55

Program Costs

2017-18 ACADEMIC YEAR

Tuition – Domestic

$4,811

Tuition – International

$17,612

Book & Supply Costs

$3,285

Please note: All costs are approximate, may vary by campus and are subject to change at any time without notice. Parking, locker and some mandatory incidental fees are among the charges not included in the figures above.

Fee Details

Program Details

The Degree and Credit Transfer Office provides a number of services for students continuing their education at Seneca, and for graduating students considering degree transfer options.

Through transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca College program may be eligible for credit at various post-secondary institutions. Please refer to the Degree Transfer Guide for more information.

Transfer Credit may be granted for courses deemed equivalent to courses at Seneca that have been completed at recognized postsecondary institutions. Additional information is available online.

Please take a few moments to view Important Academic Dates for your relevant term.

Please select the curriculum from the Academic Year in which you started (or will be starting) your studies. An Academic Year begins in September and ends in August of the following year.

Also see: English and General Education requirements.

Admissions

Need to know more about your application and/or the application process? Reach out to our admissions advisors for assistance.

Domestic
416.491.5050 ext. 55013 Admissions@senecacollege.ca
International
416.491.5050 ext. 22364 InternationalAdmissions@senecacollege.ca

Student Recruitment

Have questions about Seneca’s campuses, financial aid, student supports and more? Connect with one of our student recruiters for more information or to book a campus tour.

Domestic
416.491.4660
student.recruitment@senecacollege.ca
Additional Contacts
Financial Aid & Awards

Program Coordinator

Emma Brown 416.491.5050 ext. 55247 Emma.Brown@senecacollege.ca

Program Chair

Tony Mallette 416.491.5050 ext. 55143 Tony.Mallette@senecacollege.ca

Why Choose Seneca?

Passionate, expert faculty from a range of professions

Real-world learning experiences through paid and non-paid work opportunities

Curriculums developed in collaboration with industry advisory committees

A variety of credentials offered from certificates, diplomas, degrees, and graduate certificates

Opportunities to pathway to higher level credentials at Seneca and other universities in our transfer partnership network