Veterinary Assistant Program

The veterinary assistant program at Bergen Community College prepares students to assist veterinarians, laboratory animal specialists, and zoological professionals in treating animals. They also have the option to become a kennel attendant, animal caretaker, groomer, zookeeper, or animal trainer. The program focuses on providing patient management, care, and clinical procedure assistance, and owner communication. Program courses include: animal health and nutrition, animal handling, clinical pathology, radiology, anesthesiology, dental prophylaxis, surgical assisting, and clinical laboratory procedures. Get more details below including other New Jersey colleges that offer veterinary assistant program.

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Bergen Community College

201 Willowbrook Blvd., Wayne, NJ

Bergen Community College, located in Paramus, New Jersey, was founded in 1965 to provide its service area convenient and affordable educational opportunities. The school has grown since its founding, adding more buildings and facilities, as well as two campuses in Hackensack and Lyndhurst to further facilitate the educational needs of its service communities.

BCC serves over 32,000 students a year with nearly 17,000 of them enrolled in academic programs. The school is dedicated to providing a quality education to its students through constant review of its programs, services and facilities, updating them as needed to remain current with student educational needs. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Academics

Bergen Community College offers a large number of programs to ensure that students find a program that suits their academic or career needs. Academic transfer students will be able to complete the freshman and sophomore years of a four year education, and then transfer to a four year institution to complete their bachelor's degree.

Transfers are facilitated through agreements to public institutions throughout the state of New Jersey that allow graduates to admission more easily, or they may transfer to any national institution due to the quality of education offered at the school.

Career and technical programs provide students with the skills and abilities necessary to enter the workforce as professionals, having learned in the classroom the methods and practices necessary for successful completion of tasks and duties. Students will be able to enter entry level positions immediately upon graduation, having earned an associate degree or certificate to demonstrate competency.

Programs offered include:

• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Cinema Studies
• Culinary Arts
• History

Continuing education and non-credit courses are also available, allowing interested individuals to pursue interests for personal or professional reasons with ease.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Bergen Community College is an open admissions institution which admits all applicants that have a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants should complete the admissions form and submit transcripts and standardized test scores. Individuals interested in certain health programs should apply early as space is limited and additional requirements for admission exist for such programs. Registration takes place shortly prior to the start of each semester with tuition fees typically due shortly thereafter.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, work study programs and scholarships through federal sources and the New Jersey STARS program. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA) and obtain a federal PIN. Once the information is submitted, the school will receive a student aid report from which determinations on need, eligibility and awards will be made. The school may ask students to provide additional financial information prior to disbursing funds in order to ensure the accuracy of information received.

Clubs and Organizations

Bergen Community College is host to a number of on campus clubs and organizations that promote various academic, extracurricular, or notable topics aimed at student participation and promotion. Such clubs and organization allow students of like mind and similar interest to meet outside of a classroom setting, participating in discussions and events as necessary to advance their ideas and strengthen their organization.

Such organizations also allow for the formation of bonds, both personal and professional, that often last long after member students have graduated. The school may also be petitioned to allow for the formation of a new club if no existing club exists to cover the proposed topic or interest.

Clubs and organizations at BCC include:

• Anime Club
• Dance Club
• Art Club
• ROTARACT
• Astronomer's Association

Students Enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Bergen Community College offers an associate's degree program in veterinary assistant.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Description

Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, veterinary technologists and technicians employment is expected to grow at a rate of 18.7% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Nassau County-Suffolk County, NY Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 790
  • Average Hourly Rate: $19.12
  • Average Annual Salary: $39760
• Newark, NJ-PA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 830
  • Average Hourly Rate: $18.33
  • Average Annual Salary: $38130

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).