| DEVTP Fequently Asked Questions
DEVTP Home | Overview | Course Descriptions | Course Materials | FAQs | Contact Info | Registration
How long will it take to go through the entire
program?
There is no fixed length of time for completing the entire degree program.
There are many variables that affect how long it takes a particular student
to complete the entire program, including the number of courses you enroll
in per semester and your previous college experience. The average student
can complete the entire curriculum in three to five years.
How much will it cost for the entire DEVTP?
Based on current tuition costs of $319 per course for AAHA members,
completing Levels 1 through 3 of DEVTP will cost $6,699.
This cost does not include tuition and fees for General Education courses
or the additional veterinary technician courses in Level 4 that are
required for the degree. Prices for non-AAHA members are slightly higher.
Textbooks, videos, postage, or faxing and other supplies are additional.
Some of these materials may be shared by multiple staff members in a hospital.
How do I transfer credits from courses taken from
other colleges?
Liberal arts, science, mathematics, and some animal science courses can
generally be taken at other accredited community colleges or universities
and the credits can be transferred to CVC. After successful completion
of a course from CVC or the Dallas County Community College District,
you may apply for transfer credits for courses not taken from the district.
Transfer credit is at the discretion of the director of the veterinary
technician program, the deans of the science and liberal arts colleges,
and the registrar. Course descriptions must be equivalent to the course
descriptions found in the CVC catalog. Students must provide a copy of
the course description and a copy of their transcript(s) to the director
when requesting credit transfers.
How do I register and order course materials?
You will register for all Level 1-3 courses through AAHA by calling the AAHA Member Service Center at 800/883-6301. AAHA will send you a confirmation for the course you've registered for. A detailed materials list for all the books and videos that you need for Level 1 courses can be found by clicking here.
You can order those books and videos published by AAHA Press by contacting AAHA at 800/883-6301 or www.aahanet.org. Materials may also be ordered through the college bookstore at Cedar Valley College.
For Level 4 or General Education courses,
you will register directly with Cedar Valley College at 877/353-3482.
CVC will send you an email confirmation for any
course you've registered for and a detailed material orders list for all
the books and videos you will need. You will also order those books and
videos directly through College Bookstore or AAHA.
Where do I seek advice on what courses I should
take?
Advisement for students is available by contacting Dr. Steven Grubbs. Students
in Level 1 courses can also self advise if they wish. Students in Level
2 and higher courses must contact CVC for advisement prior to enrolling
in courses. The prerequisite for any course in the second or third levels
is the course of the same title in the level below it. In other words,
before you take Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2, you must have successfully
completed Pharmacy and Pharmacology 1. This rule applies to all courses
regardless of your prior experiences in the field. Students must complete
all Level 1 courses prior to advancing to Level 2.
Can I take all three levels of a single topic without
taking the entire first level?
With the exception of the General Hospital and Clinic Information courses,
you cannot enroll in any Level 2 or Level 3 courses until you have
completed the Level 1 course. In addition, you cannot take Level 3
courses until you have completed all prerequisites, including specified
General Education courses.
Why do I need a preceptor for Levels 2, 3 and 4?
Development of clinical skills is a very important part of DEVTP. Each
student must have at least one approved preceptor (a veterinarian or credentialed
technician designated as RVT, LVT, or CVT) to demonstrate skills for individual
instruction, and for feedback on how the student is doing. The preceptor
also provides an opportunity for face-to-face discussion of student questions.
How much study time is required per week?
The three levels are designed to be increasingly difficult. Study time
in Level 1 averages four to six hours weekly; less for those who are
more experienced and more for those new to the material. This may increase
to an average of six to 15 hours weekly for the advanced levels.
Can I take more than one course at a time?
The program is targeted for students currently employed at a veterinary
hospital. The typical course load is expected to be one to two courses
per semester. If you believe your workload is such that you can complete
more courses in a semester, please discuss this with the instructor prior
to registration.
Can I use older editions of the textbooks listed?
You may choose to use an older version of a textbook. However, page numbers
in reading assignments may not coincide with older editions of textbooks.
You will be responsible for and tested on the material in the edition
listed in the syllabus.
What if I want to withdraw from a course?
Written withdrawal notification must be received by AAHA for Level 1
courses and by Cedar Valley College for Levels 2, 3 and 4 courses
prior to the first day of class for a full refund of enrollment fees.
Written notice must be received within one week of the course start date
for a 70 percent refund. Written notice must be received within three
weeks of the course start date for a 25 percent refund. No refund will
be issued for withdrawal requests received 22 or more days after the course
start date. Students withdrawing prior to the third week of class will
receive a grade of W.
What if I fail to complete assignments on time?
Assignments and tests must be completed on time and submitted by the published
deadline to receive credit. Late assignments will not be accepted for
any reason and will result in a grade of zero for that assignment.
How can I get in touch with my instructors or
fellow students for questions
or extra help?
Although students work independently to complete their coursework that
doesn't mean you're alone. DEVTP instructors are easily accessible by
phone, fax, or email. In addition, DEVTP and CVC provide a variety of
Internet-based opportunities to stay in touch with your classmates and
to form study groups. Our discussion boards, virtual chat rooms, and online
grade checking mean students feel connected to CVC and their fellow students
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What else will I have to do to earn an associate's
degree and become a
licensed technician?
Students must have a high school diploma or GED and apply for admission
to Cedar Valley College. You must complete additional veterinary technology
courses, a practicum and General Education courses in science, mathematics,
and liberal arts. These may be available at your local community college
or through Distance Learning at inexpensive rates. Please see Becoming
a Credentialed Technician in the DEVTP Student Handbook or call Dr. Steven Grubbs at CVC for detail. To become licensed, you must take and pass your
state's licensing exam for veterinary technicians, if available.
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