Veterinary Technology Major

The Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department at UMass Amherst offers a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology.

The BS-Vet Tech program begins with two years at the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus learning in state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and farms, followed by two years near Boston in the dedicated Veterinary Technology facility at the UMass Amherst-Mt. Ida campus in Newton, Massachusetts.

Students graduating from the BS-Veterinary Technology program will be prepared for a career as a veterinary technologist in veterinary medicine or biomedical research.

To learn more, read the BS-vet tech major Vet Tech FAQs.

Admission
Application to UMass Amherst is through the Common App for non-binding Early Action and Regular Decision deadlines.

Veterinary Technology and Animal Science are both open majors, which means that students accepted by UMass Amherst can choose to enter these majors. Entry to the Pre-Veterinary Science major requires a minimum 2.700 weighted GPA in 10 UMass Amherst courses or their equivalents.   

Already have a Bachelor's degree? Make an appointment to talk with Dr. Rubin about completing a Second Bachelor's Degree in Veterinary Technology in under two years.

Sequence of classes

First year - Fall semester at UMass Amherst campus

• ANIMLSCI 105 and 105L  Introduction to Veterinary Technology, Lecture and Lab   4
• BIOLOGY 151  Introduction to Biology I   4
• MATH 104  Pre-Calculus   3
• General Education Class/DU or DG   4
• First Year Freshmen Seminar or RAP   1
• Credits 16

First year - Spring semester at UMass Amherst campus

• ANIMLSCI 125 and 125L Veterinary Clinical Nursing I, Lecture and Lab 4
• BIOLOGY 152/153  Introduction to Biology II with lab  5
• CHEM 111   General Chemistry I with lab  4
• ENGLWRIT 112  English Writing  3
• Credits 16

Sophomore year - Fall semester at UMass Amherst campus

• ANIMLSCI 221  Anatomy & Physiology I, Lecture and Lab  4
• ANIMLSCI 260 Animal Welfare, Lecture and Discussion  4
• STATISTC 240 or STATISTC 111 - or RESECON 212   3 or 4
• ANIMLSCI 315 Clinical Animal Behavior or ANIMLSCI 333 Nutrition 3
• Credits  14/15

Sophomore year - Spring semester at UMass Amherst campus

• ANIMLSCI 115 and 115L  Large Animal Clinical Nursing, Lecture and Lab  4
• ANIMLSCI 222  Anatomy & Physiology II, Lecture and Lab  4   
• ANIMLSCI 375 Veterinary Microbiology Essential Skills 1
• ANIMLSCI 366 Veterinary Microbiology Lab   2
• ANIMLSCI 475 Veterinary Pathology 3
• General Education Class   4
• Credits 18

Junior year - Fall semester at UMass Mt. Ida campus, Newton

• ANIMLSCI 415 and 415L Clinical Nursing, Lecture and Lab  4
• ANIMLSCI 435  Veterinary Pharmacology  3
• ANIMLSCI 333 Nutrition or Elective or GenEd  3/4
• ANIMLSCI 355 and 355L Veterinary Clinical Lab Techniques, Lecture and Lab 4
• NATSCI 387 Junior Writing 3
• Credits 17

Junior year - Spring semester at UMass Mt. Ida campus, Newton

• ANIMLSCI 465 and 465L Diagnostic Imaging, Lecture and Lab  4
• ANIMLSCI 485 and 485L Small Animal Anesthesia and Surgery, Lecture and Lab  4
• ANIMLSCI 425 and 425L Parasitology, Lecture and Lab  4
• ANIMLSCI 398V Community Veterinary Clinic Practicum 1
• Elective - ANIMLSCI 345 - Exotic Animal Medicine or
  ANIMLSCI 305 - Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care or GenEd  3/4
• Credits 16-17

Senior year - Fall semester at UMass Mt. Ida campus, Newton

• ANIMLSCI 494VI  Gen Ed-IE-Critical Thinking & Problem Solving in Veterinary Medicine  3
• ANIMLSCI 405 Veterinary Management  3
• ANIMLSCI 455V and 455VL Laboratory Animal Medicine and Management I, Lecture and Lab  4
• ANIMLSCI 498V Internship at Veterinary Clinic or Research Animal Facility  3
  (3 credits each/130 hours per internship)
• Credits 13

Senior year - Spring semester at UMass Mt. Ida campus, Newton

• ANIMLSCI 492V Senior Seminar  1
• ANIMLSCI 498V Internship at Veterinary Clinic or Research Animal Facility 9
• ANIMLSCI 410 VTNE Prep course  2
• ANIMLSCI Elective see list of options below 2-3
• Credits 14-15

Electives 

ANIMLSCI 235 - Shelter Animal Medicine
ANIMLSCI 305 - Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care
ANIMLSCI 315 - Clinical Animal Behavior
ANIMLSCI 325 - Sea Turtle Preservation in Costa Rica
ANIMLSCI 335 - Conservation & Veterinary Medicine in Belize
ANIMLSCI 345 - Exotic Animal Medicine
ANIMLSCI 456V/456VL - Lab Animal Medicine and Management II

Vet Tech Course Checklist

Summer Pre-College Program - Veterinary Technology

The Veterinary Technology Summer Pre-College program invites rising high school junior and senior students to work with faculty from the UMass veterinary technology program to discover various aspects of the veterinary profession and the role of the veterinary technician within the larger context of veterinary medicine and animal care.

UMass Veterinary Technology Scholarship

The Veterinary Technology Scholarship Fund supports students majoring in veterinary technology in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. Eligible students will have financial need as determined by the UMass Amherst Office of Financial Aid and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and above and be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior majoring in veterinary technology.

Our students are passionate about working in the field of veterinary medicine and are dedicated to a career advancing the health and well-being of animals. Your gift to the UMass Veterinary Technology Scholarship will provide our students with financial support towards their education and career goal.

Veterinary Technician National Exam - passing rate

In accordance with guidelines from the AVMA, we report the passing rate for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) among graduates of the Veterinary Technology Program at the former Mount Ida College and our UMass graduates. The number of eligible first-time candidates is based on the number of graduates for the period indicated.
July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2023
Three-year VTNE pass percentage: 65%*
Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE: 85
*Unlike most states, certification of veterinary technicians in Massachusetts is voluntary. As a result, although we strongly recommend that our graduates take the VTNE, some do not.

Student Chapter of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (SCNAVTA)

Additional information

Required attire for all veterinary technology lab courses includes grey colored scrub top with the UMass Amherst veterinary technology logo embroidered on the left pocket and your name embroidered on the right pocket. Your scrub pants must be wine/maroon colored. You can order from the website or purchase elsewhere. Order your scrubs and coveralls with the UMass Amherst vet tech logo.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Amy Rubin, D.V.M.
Veterinary Technology Program Director
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
427ZB Integrated Sciences Building
661 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003