MU partners with Jefferson College creating new transfer program for vet techs

The University of Missouri (MU) recently joined forces with Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri to help meet the growing demand for veterinary technicians within the United States, and to foster a new transfer agreement for veterinary technology students.

According to a MU release, the ‘2+2’ agreement enables undergraduate students who earn a 2-year associate’s degree in veterinary technology at Jefferson College to be automatically admitted as juniors to MU, ergo granting students the ability to pursue the newly created veterinary technology bachelor’s degree at MU.

“Demand for veterinary technicians has grown in recent years, and we are proud to provide new educational opportunities that can keep vet techs engaged and remaining in the profession long term,” said Cindy Cravens, director of the Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology (BSVT) program at MU, in the release. “Our graduates will serve Missourians in both rural and urban parts of the state, helping fill the unmet needs in our state’s workforce.”

The agreement between the 2 universities was officially signed in September of 2021, allowing veterinary technology students that complete the 2-year associate degree at Jefferson College this spring to enroll in the MU class as juniors in the fall of 2022. Additionally, the agreement also extends to graduates of Jefferson College’s 2-year veterinary technology program dating back to 1978 which is the year the college earned its American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accreditation.

“As our population continues to grow, there has been an increased demand for food production, and therefore a greater need for more veterinarian technicians to help take care of farm animals,” said Christopher DeGeare, vice president of instruction at Jefferson College, in the release.

“Also, there has been an increase in the adoption of companion animals since the COVID-19 pandemic began, resulting in more veterinarian appointments. So, this partnership will help meet the growing demand for veterinarian technicians,” continued DeGeare.

Reference

MU partners with Jefferson College to create new transfer agreement for veterinary technicians. News release. University of Missouri. October 27, 2021. Accessed October 28, 2021. https://showme.missouri.edu/2021/mu-partners-with-jefferson-college-to-create-new-transfer-agreement-for-veterinary-technicians/