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How DEVAP works
By
definition, a distance learning (DL) program is an instructional curriculum that
can be completed entirely or partially at a location other than the college
campus. DL is designed to break down the common barriers to adult education;
namely distance from a campus and the inability to leave work and family to
attend college. DEVAP breaks down the barriers for those aspiring to be
veterinary assistants by providing a curriculum that is
completed while you are on the job with minimal disruption of the work and
family routines.
To earn the Veterinary Assisting Certificate, students must complete a total of 12 courses. Three of these courses are general education college courses in the areas of English or Speech Communication, Math, and Biology. The remaining nine courses are veterinary specific courses. Each of the 9 veterinary specific courses is 12 weeks long. The general education courses are 16 weeks in length. Courses begin in January, May, and September (August for level 4 courses). Depending on personal and work schedules, students can usually complete one to three courses per semester. According to past student surveys, each student can expect to devote five to 15 hours per week per course in studying, completing written assignments and examinations, and completing clinical assignments.
Students are also required to have a preceptor to guide them through their studies. The preceptor must be a veterinarian or credentialed veterinary technician (See Preceptor Guidelines for more information). This individual serves as the student's mentor and as an instructor in clinical exercises. The preceptor is also responsible for administering and monitoring examinations and verifying that written assignments have been completed.
After you have registered for a course, you will receive a confirmation packet. It will contain several items including your course workbook, order forms for textbooks and other class supplies, and a schedule of when assignments are due. You are also required to complete agreements for Off-Campus Clinical Instruction and designate your preceptor. Forms for this will be sent under separate cover from Cedar Valley College (CVC). When completed, OCCI and preceptor designation forms are then returned to CVC by fax, mail, or e-mail. We must receive these forms prior to the start of class so that we can verify your preceptor's credentials as well as the suitability of your hospital location as an OCCI site.
Once CVC has received your OCCI documentation, your preceptor will be mailed a preceptor packet. The packet contains several items including the course schedule and also your examinations. Your preceptor will use this information to help you stay on schedule and administer the exams at the proper time.
In most courses, students are responsible for submitting Weekly Preceptor Checklists. This is a listing of assignments that are due each week. You must submit each week's list at the appropriate time to receive credit for the course. Your preceptor must sign each required item to verify that you completed the course assignments.
Each week you will have some combination of written assignments and clinical exercises to complete. These assignments must be submitted no later than the Wednesday following the end of the given week. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact Dr. Wright or Dr. Heim by e-mail or call us toll-free at 877/353-3482.