Vet Tech Schools in San Diego, CA

About the School

San Diego Mesa College is one of the community colleges that make up the San Diego Community College District.

As the largest college in the district and one of the largest and most successful community colleges in the state of California, they take pride in their excellent academic programs and services.

They offer Academic and Career Pathways in the following areas of interest:

• Art, Design, and Performance
• Business and Entrepreneurship
• Earth and Environment
• Education and Guidance
• Engineering, Math, and Sciences
• Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing
• Language and Literature
• People, Culture, and Society

They also have Career Education Program offerings in high-demand careers, including Culinary, Hospitality, Web Development, Multi-Media, and Dental Assisting.

They are accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Courses Offered

The Veterinary Technology Program is designed to prepare students for a career as a veterinary technician.

It involves classroom and hands-on experiences to give first-hand opportunities to handle animals, operate medical technology, and perform veterinary services.

It also teaches how to maintain patient and clinic records and efficiently communicate with animal owners.

Offered in-person, online, or hybrid, the classes feature the following courses:

• Animal Care and Management – 2 units
• Advanced Animal Care and Management -2 units
• Veterinary Office Procedures -2 units
• Veterinary Clinical Pathology – 3 units
• Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory – 3 units
• Veterinary Pharmacology – 2 units
• Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology – 2 units
• Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology – 3 units
• Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology Lab – 1 unit
• Fundamentals of Veterinary Technology – 4 units
• Fundamental of Veterinary Technology Laboratory – 2 units
• Diseases of Domestic Animals – 3 units
• Veterinary Radiography – 3 units
• Veterinary Radiography Laboratory – 1 unit
• Animal Nursing Techniques and Anesthesiology – 3 units
• Veterinary Surgical and Nursing Procedures Lab – 1 unit
• Advanced Surgical Nursing Procedures Lab – 1 unit
• Laboratory Animal Medicine – 2 units
• Laboratory Animal Medicine Laboratory – 0.5 unit
• Veterinary Work Experience – 1 to 4 units

The full program requires 42 units and costs approximately $2,760.

Graduates may look into the following career pathways: veterinary technologists and technicians, animal scientists, animal control workers, laboratory animal caretakers, and nonfarm animal caretakers.

About the School

Pima Medical Institute is a medical career college committed to excellence in healthcare education.

They are dedicated to fostering top-tier professionals in the medical field.

Since 1972, they have worked hard to carve a reputation for providing comprehensive and hands-on training across various healthcare disciplines.

They take pride in their state-of-the-art facilities, a supportive learning environment conducive to growth and success, and a faculty of experienced professionals, dedicated to imparting practical knowledge and skills necessary for students to excel in their chosen healthcare paths.

Their curriculum blends theoretical learning with extensive practical exposure, ensuring students graduate not only with academic prowess but also with real-world experience.

Whether in nursing, medical assisting, veterinary studies, or other healthcare specialties, they maintain a strong emphasis on cutting-edge techniques and industry-relevant practices.

Accredited by the Bureau of Health Education Schools, they have locations in the following cities and states:

• Arizona – East Valley, Mesa, Phoenix, and Tucson
• California – Chula Vista and San Marcos
• Colorado – Aurora, Colorado Springs, and Denver
• Montana – Dillon
• Nevada – Las Vegas
• New Mexico – Albuquerque
• Texas – El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio
• Washington – Renton and Seattle

Courses Offered

The Veterinary Technology Program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to become competent veterinary technicians.

It offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical learning with hands-on training, preparing students for a career in animal healthcare.

Students enrolled in the program delve into various subjects such as animal anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, surgical nursing, diagnostic imaging, and veterinary office procedures.

The coursework is structured to cover a wide range of topics essential for working in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research facilities, and other animal care settings.

Below is what the Program Outline looks like:

Professional Sequence I

• Communications
• Math Applications
• Foundations in Biology and Chemistry
• Introduction to Veterinary Technology

Professional Sequence II

• Food and Fiber Animal
• Diagnostic Imaging for Veterinary Technicians
• Small Animal Nursing for Veterinary Technicians

Professional Sequence III

• Laboratory Animal Science
• Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians
• Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians

Professional Sequence IV

• Dentistry Techniques
• Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians
• Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Technicians
• Clinical Surgery and Lab

Professional Sequence V

• Exotic Animal Medicine and Nursing
• Equine Medicine and Nursing
• Emergency Procedures
• Clinic Surgery and Lab

Externship

• Veterinary Technician Seminar
• Externship

The total number of program hours required is 1,775.

Program length is 77 weeks (day classes) or 86 weeks (evening classes).

Career opportunities for graduates include clinics, hospitals, laboratories, ranches, zoos, biomedical facilities, wildlife facilities, humane societies, and animal control facilities.