After almost two years of planning, Genesee Community College’s Board of Trustees has approved a new Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program in Veterinary Technology.
In recent years, many prospective Genesee students have asked about veterinary technology programs, said Dr. Eunice Bellinger, executive vice president for Academic Affairs. The demand for veterinary technologists is expected to grow by 20 percent in New York state over the next six years, and 41 percent nationwide, Dr. Bellinger said.
“This is a very high-demand profession,” she told trustees. “The high concentration of farms in our region is one factor in local demand for the veterinary technology profession.”
The college anticipates beginning the program during the Fall 2010 semester, and at least 15 students will be admitted to the first class. That number will more than double during the second year.
Genesee graduates with an A.A.S. degree in veterinary technology will also have the opportunity to deepen their education in the veterinary management field or even become veterinarians, Dr. Bellinger told trustees. The college plans to develop transfer agreements with colleges and universities offering baccalaureate and other advanced veterinary programs. SUNY Canton, which offers a degree in Veterinary Management Services, and SUNY Delhi, which offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Veterinary Technology, have both expressed interest in developing a transfer program for Genesee graduates.
