Veterinary Assistant Program

The veterinary assistant program at San Diego Mesa 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 California colleges that offer veterinary assistant program.

Learn more by requesting information now!

San Diego Mesa College

1313 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College is the largest of three two-year community colleges in the San Diego Community College District in Southern California. The other two community colleges in the district are San Diego City College and San Diego Miramar College. The district also includes six Continuing Education campuses that offer non-credit classes in life skills and enrichment.  The Continuing Education Educational Cultural Complex (ECC) at Mesa offers classes that lead to associate degrees and certificates.

Like its two counterparts, San Diego Mesa College offers associate degree and certificates in occupational programs. Mesa students who wish to transfer to four-year universities to complete a bachelor's degree, can choose from many academic transfer programs in the arts and sciences. Because of its excellent faculty and diverse programs, Mesa College has one of the highest transfer rates in the state.

Mesa College, which opened in 1998, has a beautiful campus with state-of-the-art science labs, an athletics complex and athletic fields, a theatre, fine arts facilities and a Learning Resource Center.

Mesa College is a smoke-free campus, and is committed to preventing the health risks associated with exposure to second-hand smoke. Students and visitors who choose to smoke must do so beyond the campus perimeter. Mesa College is also a Green Campus, with many programs that support eco-awareness and sustainability. Some past events include the Eco-Awareness Series of lectures and events, the EnviroClub Student Recycling program, an Organic Gardening program, Tecolote Canyon Day, and more.

History

San Diego City College was founded in 1914 as San Diego Junior College. It was the first community college in San Diego, and the third community college established in the State of California. San Diego Mesa College opened in 1998, as part of the San Diego Community College District.

Academics

The academic calendar for San Diego Mesa College follows the semester format, with fall, spring and summer semesters.

Colleges and Schools

• School of Arts and Languages
• School of Business, Computer Studies and Technologies
• School of Health Sciences / Public Service
• School of Humanities
• School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
• School of P.E./Health Education and Athletics
• School of Social/Behavioral Sciences and Multicultural Studies

Student Life

There are numerous student clubs and organizations on the Mesa College campus available for student involvement. Student clubs include performance groups, an honors program, service learning, and several groups that focus on academic, cultural or political interests.

Student services at Mesa College include the Learning Resource Center, which provides audiovisual services, a Center for Independent Living, a library and the High Tech Center. Additional services include a career center, counseling, disability support programs, a foster youth program, health services, testing, orientation, tutor centers, a transfer center, veteran student services, and more.

There are also special programs such as Study Abroad, and the Freshman Year Experience.

Traditions

The San Diego Mesa College school colors are blue, gold and white. The school mascot is the "Olympians."

Athletics

The San Diego Mesa College "Olympians" athletics teams compete in 20 men and women's intercollegiate sports, including:

Men's Sports:

• Badminton
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Soccer
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Water Polo 

Women's Sports:

• Badminton
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Water Polo

Satellite Campuses

San Diego Mesa College has one campus. However, there are two other community colleges in the San Diego Community College District: San Diego City College, and San Diego Miramar College. There are also several sites throughout the San Diego metro area that provide classes through the Continuing Education program within the district.

Community Life

The San Diego Community College District reaches out to business and industry in a variety of ways. The Corporate Council is an advisory opportunity, allowing local business people to provide input into the education process that the district follows to train San Diego's workforce. The Partnerships Program creates strong ties with the region's significant military community, and its technology, transportation, hospitality and business sectors.

Students Enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. San Diego Mesa 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

• San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
  • Total Employment: 830
  • Average Hourly Rate: $21.06
  • Average Annual Salary: $43800

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