Veterinary Technology Program Guidelines 

• Prerequisites
• Application Materials
• Withdrawal/Readmit
• Legal Limits for License

Prerequisites 

1. High school diploma or GED and submission of transcripts.
2. Completion of placement testing. Students who have taken English 101 or JJC's Math 098 or equivalent and passed with a grade of "C" or better do not need to take the placement test. For more information on placement tests, call (815) 280-2493. If a placement test is taken at another college, the student is required to have an official copy mailed to the Office of Admissions.

All prerequisites must be met before becoming eligible for admission into the veterinary medical technology sequence. It also is recommended that the math and/or English developmental courses be completed before starting the general education requirements.

Joliet Junior College requires students to take the placement test to demonstrate basic academic skills. These tests are used to determine placement in English, reading and mathematics. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at (815) 280-2493. If a placement test is taken at another college, an official copy is required to be mailed to the Office of Admissions.

If placement test scores do not place an applicant out of Math 098 and into English 101, then they must complete Math 098 or the prerequisites for English 101 with a grade of "C" or better.

Application Materials

Select one of the important forms listed below which can be printed, completed and sent to the appropriate address.

1. JJC Application for Admission
   List the major code of AG 850 for your major.
2. Application for the Veterinary Medical Technology program - vet-tech-app.pdf 
   To be completed by applicant. (Admissions policy and procedures manual - Admissions Procedure VMTP starting 7-1-09.pdf
3. JJC Transcript Request
   For college(s)/high school(s) previously attended.
4. JJC Transcript Evaluation Request For college transcripts that need to be evaluated for credit from other colleges.
5. Veterinarian Recommendation Form
   To be completed by veterinarian who supervised applicant.

For Items 1,2-5, mail to:
Joliet Junior College
Admissions Office/ Vet Tech
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431

Withdrawal/Re-admit

Course or Skill Test

1. Students who earn a grade below "C" in any veterinary technology theory or practicum course are automatically withdrawn from the Veterinary Medical Technology program (AG 500).
2. Students who do not pass each of the courses for each semester must immediately withdraw from the Veterinary Medical Technology program.
3. Students who earn a grade below "C" in any general education course that is a prerequisite to the next veterinary medical technology sequence course, will not be allowed to continue in the sequence until the prerequisite course is at least "C" level. (Students must follow the re-admission procedure below, if out of the sequence for one semester or longer.)

Withdrawals

1. Students who withdraw from the veterinary medical technology sequence will be recorded within the department as withdrawn passing or failing.
2. Students who withdraw passing, failing or are withdrawn from any veterinary technology theory or practicum course, also are automatically withdrawn from the Veterinary Medical Technology program. Students may not continue to attend veterinary medical technology classes beyond the day of withdrawal.

Re-admission Policies

1. Students who earn a grade below "C" or withdraw failing from any veterinary technology 100-level theory or practicum course are entitled to one re-admission during their progression through the veterinary technology 100-sequence courses.

   Note: A total of two re-admissions for students who earn a grade below "C" or withdraw failing will be allowed over the entire program.

   Exceptions to this policy are limited to the following:

   • Students who complete a veterinary technology sequence course with grades of "C" or better and who decide to withdraw for a semester or longer before continuing with the next veterinary technology sequence will be allowed to do so, space permitting, as long as the absence is less than four years. (See re-admission policy time limits.)
   • Students who withdraw passing both the theory and practicum portion of their veterinary technology courses. Withdrawal passing does not constitute a failure, but the student must follow the re-admission procedure below.
   • If a student is dropped from the program because of physical or emotional jeopardy, whether the drop is student or instructor initiated, even if first failure, the student must appeal to the faculty for readmission.
2. Any veterinary technology sequence course may not be repeated more than once.
3. When a veterinary technology course is failed, that course should be successfully completed before enrolling in the next course. Acceptance into the following year's enrollment depends on availability.

Time Limits on Re-admission

1. Students seeking re-admission to the program, following a time lapse of four consecutive years must complete some or all the following conditions:
   • Retest of all skill tests, including math (required).
   • Submit a letter requesting readmission.
   • Meet with the skill lab teacher and set up review.
   • Audit classes (highly recommended).
     
     Note: Some prescriptive requirements may be added based on individual needs as a requirement for re-acceptance. Any added costs incurred will be paid by the student.
2. A student seeking re-admission, who has been out of the program five years or longer, may start from the beginning.
3. In the event of major course changes, a student may be required to start from the beginning, regardless of time lapse. Each case will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Re-admission Procedure

1. Students seeking re-admission to the veterinary medical technology sequence courses must request their intent to re-admit in writing. The letter of intent is to be sent to the director of veterinary technology. The letter should include reflection on the reason for the interruption as well as progress toward resolution.
2. Re-admission requests will be processed in the order in which they are received.
3. Registration for re-admission is dependent upon openings in the veterinary medical technology sequence courses. Returning students will be registered at group registration as space permits.

A student who is no longer eligible for re-admission, based on the above policies, has the right to appeal for readmission to the Veterinary Medical Technology Faculty's Appeal Committee.

Legal Limits for License

Graduates of the Veterinary Medical Technology program are eligible to take the Registered Veterinary Technician Licensure board examination, usually offered on the third Friday in June.

Applicants to the Veterinary Medical Technology program should be aware that there are legal limitations for veterinary technician licensure. Candidates who successfully complete this examination may or may not be issued a license to practice veterinary technology in Illinois following review by the Veterinary Technician Committee of the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. The following are examples, but are not intended to be all-inclusive.

1. Have been denied a license permit or privilege of taking an examination by any licensing authority or had a license encumbered in any way.
2. Have been convicted of a criminal offense in any state or federal court.
3. Have a physical impairment or disability that could interfere with veterinary technology.
4. Have an addiction to, or excessively use, alcohol, narcotics, or habit-forming drugs.
5. Have ever suffered from, been diagnosed as having or have been treated for any disease or condition regarded as chronic, whether physical, emotional or mental.

Potential applicants with questions concerning any of the above may wish to contact the Department of Professional Regulation in Springfield, Ill. at (217) 785-0800.

A graduate with an AVMA-approved Associate in Applied Science degree in Vet Tech, with the appropriate laboratory animal work experience, may take the American Association Laboratory Animal Science Exam. This exam is administered through Cordova, Tennessee. Call (901) 754-8620 for the most current requirements.