Veterinary Medical Technology Program

QUICK LINKS ABOVE

Students examine a sample on a microscopeThe Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine (MSU CVM) was the third college of veterinary medicine in the United States to offer a four-year bachelor’s degree program in veterinary medical technology (VMT). Nationwide, there are only 22 four-year VMT programs.

The MSU CVM VMT Program prepares students to work in the following areas of veterinary medicine:

  • Private practices (small animal and mixed)
  • Equine specific practices
  • Food animal/production medicine
  • Public health organizations
  • Federal and state regulatory agencies
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Animal-nutrition companies
  • Animal-related industries
  • Laboratory animal medicine
  • Animal and biomedical research
  • Zoo and wildlife
  • Education

In addition, our students are exposed to a number of specialty areas including, internal medicine, anesthesia, surgical nursing, behavior, and emergency and critical care, and they may even choose to complete actual clinical rotations in some of them. Veterinary technology students can pursue a variety of different specialties after graduation.  For a complete list, visit www.navta.net.

VMT Facebook VMT Instagram


WHY MSU CVM?

Students examine a shelter dogMSU CVM is one of only a few colleges where the veterinary medical technology program is housed within the College of Veterinary Medicine. Our VMT students train alongside DVM candidates in the same clinical setting. VMT students enjoy the opportunity to participate in clinical experiences their entire senior year.

At MSU CVM, we pride ourselves in offering a collaborative learning environment. Our top-notch faculty are not only committed to providing an excellent education, but also genuinely care about their students. We offer a family-like atmosphere where students receive the training and support they need to reach their goals and succeed in the field of veterinary medicine.

MSU CVM also offers a variety of animal-related clubs and organizations, where students can build relationships with their peers outside of the classroom, further their experience working with animals, and make a difference in the world around them.

Our rigorous classroom and clinical curriculum and supportive, family-like environment enables us to graduate well-rounded students who are well prepared to enter the workforce!


VMT Academic Insight

Saturday, February 25th, 2023

Registration opens Tuesday, January 10, 2023. For more information about Academic Insight, please click here

2023 Itinerary coming soon! Please see below for last year's itinerary. 

1:00–⁠1:15 PM - Check-In

1:15–⁠2:15 PM - Meet the faculty and staff and learn about the program

2:15 - 4:00 PM - Tours and Exhibits

2:15 - 4:00 PM - Parent Q&A

 

Videos

Large Animal VMT Video

 

Blood Smear Demonstration


GOALS OF THE PROGRAM

A student adjusts her microscopeThe goals of the MSU CVM VMT Program are to provide students

  • Relative, practical and quality delivered curriculum
  • Hands-on educational experience to ensure the development of technical skills required upon graduation
  • Collaborative learning environment to enhance understanding of individual team members’ responsibilities and the dynamics within the veterinary healthcare team
  • Foundational knowledge base for lifelong learning
  • Technical knowledge that meets the educational standards of the Committee on Veterinary Technololgy Education & Activities (CVTEA)
  • Degree that can be used to satisfy the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) requirements for national credentialing as a veterinary technician

The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine VMT program is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.


MSU CVM VMT PROGRAM

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Preadmission

  • High school seniors with at least 3.0 GPA
  • First-semester college freshmen with overall GPA of 2.8 or greater
  • 21 ACT
  • Completed applications to the program
  • Interview

Regular Admission

  • 2.5 overall GPA
  • Completed applications to the program
  • Interview

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Checklist

  • English Comp I & II
  • College Algebra
  • Trigonometry or Intro to Statistics
  • Survey of Chemistry I & II
  • Experimental Chemistry (lab)
  • Social Behaviors (6 hours)
  • Humanities (6 hours)
  • Biology I & II
  • Microbiology
  • Fine Arts
  • Speech
  • Animal Science or Animal Anatomy & Physiology
  • Careers in Veterinary Medicine
  • Veterinary Medical Technology Terminology

Important to note:

  • All prerequisites must be completed with a C or better.
  • The VMT bachelor of science degree program does not meet the requirements for direct entry into veterinary school. Students interested in this avenue will need to take physics, biochemistry and organic chemistry in addition to the required VMT curriculum.

HOW TO APPLY

Click HERE for an overview and timeline:

Admission Requirements

 VMTP Pre-Admission 

VMTP Admission

Should you need additional information, call our office at (662) 325-1103 or email msuvmt@cvm.msstate.edu.


VETERINARY TECHNOLOGIST DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

A veterinary technician examines a yorkieVeterinary technologists perform technical duties as well as managerial tasks, including:

  • Patient care & nursing
  • Patient assessment
  • Case management
  • Surgical & anesthetic nursing
  • Client education & communication
  • Supervising and/or practice management

JOB OUTLOOK

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a 20 percent increase in the need for technicians and technologists between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than average.

The average salary for credentialed veterinary technicians is, according to the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, $36,000. For technicians in regulatory or research areas, the average salary is $50,000.


MSU CVM VMT Program Faculty and Staff:

Maralyn Jackson, DVM
Assistant Clinical Professor and Director
662-325-7487
mjackson@cvm.msstate.edu

Amanda (Mandy) Kohler, DVM
Assistant Clinical Professor and Coordinator for Advising and Recruitment
662-325-2356
akohler@cvm.msstate.edu

Dana Cooper, CVT, VTES
Instructional Technician/Clinical Coordinator
662-325-1388
dcooper@cvm.msstate.edu

Sarah Poole, CVT, LVMT
Instructional Technician
662-325-2283
skp206@msstate.edu

Kyla Wilcher, M.A.T. , B.S. , CVT
Instructional Technician
662-325-0059
kbw225@msstate.edu

Gail Bishop
Administrative Assistant
662-325-1103
bishop@cvm.msstate.edu

Credentialing Process:

 

VTNE Pass Rate

The three-year pass percentage on VTNE is calculated as follows: X/Y*100= three-year pass percentage whereby X is the number of first time candidates that passed the VTNE and Y is the number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE July 1,2020-June 30, 2023
Number of 1st time candidates that have taken the VTNE 91
Three Year VTNE pass percentage 73%

GRADING RUBRICS

Anatomical Pathology

Basics of Practice Procedures

Clinical Pathology

Diagnostic Imaging

Lab Animal

Nursing Skills and Husbandry

Parasitology

Pharmacology

Surgical Nursing

Department of Veterinary Medical Technology
PO Box 6100
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Phone: 662.325.1103
Fax: 662.325.7506
Email: msuvmt@cvm.msstate.edu