Veterinary Assistant Program

The veterinary assistant program at Central New Mexico 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 Mexico colleges that offer veterinary assistant program.

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Central New Mexico Community College

1011 E 10th St Ste B, Alamogordo, NM

Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) is a two-year institution of higher education located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. CNM has four campuses in the Albuquerque area and a Workforce Training Center. The school offers 52 occupational certificates and many short-term career and technical courses.  CNM also offers associate's degrees in arts, sciences, and 48 occupational fields, as well as college transfer courses for students who wish to transfer to four-year institutions.

CNM offers many online courses as well as GED courses, adult basic education and developmental education. High school students can earn college and high school credits simultaneously through CNM's dual-enrollment programs. Additionally, CNM partners with Albuquerque Public Schools to offer the Early College Academy, a program that allows high school students to earn an associate's degree at the same time they earn a high school diploma.

History

Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) was established in 1965 as a trade school called Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute (TVI). The original mission, to provide adults with occupational education, continues today.  The first 150 students of TVI studied in a vacated elementary school building and empty military barracks. That site, on 60 acres, is now CNM's Main Campus.

Accredited in 1978, TVI became an independent school district in 1979. The school's Montoya Campus was founded that same year. In 1985, college preparation courses were added to the curriculum that had previously focused on vocational training in business, health, technologies and trades.  In 1986, the school was authorized to offer associate's degrees, which led to greater expansion and status as a community college.  With its new status as a top community college for the region, TVI changed its name to Central New Mexico Community College in 2006.

Academics

The academic calendar of Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) follows the semester format, with fall, spring and summer terms.

Colleges and Schools

In addition to Adult & General Education, CNM courses are offered through its six academic schools:

• Applied Technologies
• Business and Information Technology
• Communication, Humanities and Social Sciences
• School of Adult and General Education
• Health, Wellness and Public Safety
• Mathematics, Science and Engineering

Student Life

There are many student clubs and organizations available to students on all CNM campuses, including the Hispanic Student Business Association and the Native American Student Club, among others. CNM offers many services for all students, including academic advisors and a program called "Achievement Coaches," which is comprised of student advocates who encourage their peers and help them cope with academic and personal challenges. CNM's Center for Working Families provides a variety of support for students including financial and academic support.

Low-cost child-care is available to qualified students, and the New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union is available to CNM students.  There are many programs designed to help students, such as the Service Learning program that gives students the opportunity to earn college credit while helping the community.

Athletics

Although there are some intramural sports clubs available at CNM, there are no formal athletics teams participating in intercollegiate sports at this time.

Satellite Campuses

In addition to its Main Campus in Albuquerque, CNM has Workforce Training Center and four satellite campuses:

• Montoya Campus
• Rio Rancho Campus
• South Valley Campus
• Westside Campus

Community Life

CNM is proud of its partnerships in the local community.  The school's Center for Community Programs and Partnerships provides students with academic and non-academic programs that improve quality of life and academic progress.

The CNM Community Education offers non-credit lifelong learning to community members in a variety of areas.  

And, to foster economic development in New Mexico and support local businesses, CNM continues to be a primary resource for vocational training through its Workforce Training Center (WTC). To help encourage learning and career training in the community, CNM offers a "Gift of Learning" card, which allows for the purchase of a gift card for courses a the CNM Workforce Training Center.

Students Enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Central New Mexico 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

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