This agreement is between the Cedar Valley College onsite Veterinary Technology Program (CVC-VT) and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association Certified Veterinary Assistant Program (TVMA-CVAP). Cedar Valley College is a member institution in the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD). The CVC-VT is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association as a program for educating veterinary technicians.

Intent

The parties mutually agree that the linking of the two programs will provide a means for students to make a smooth transition from the secondary level of occupational and academic training to the two-year post-secondary level without experiencing delay or duplication of learning. Furthermore, through appropriate counseling, carefully designed coursework, and acquisition of critical literacy skills the student will be prepared for success in a strong college professional program and thus be qualified for a career in the veterinary profession.

The articulation design eliminates redundancy and incorporates more breadth of training than the post-secondary program alone can provide. Qualified students will receive college credit for the articulated course after completing the requirements specified below.

Students completing the TVMA-CVAP will be qualified to work as Certified Veterinary Assistants in Texas. Graduates of the CVC-VT Program will be eligible for credentialing as Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT) in Texas and any other state that offers credentialing for veterinary technicians.

Terms and Conditions

1. Detailed procedures and general policies, reviewed and approved by each party, are outlined and contained in the Articulation materials. This information is available to students, parents, counselors, teachers, and administrators by contacting the CVC-VT Program Director or the Texas Veterinary Medical Association.
2. Completion of the TVMA-CVAP Level II course of study and a passing grade on the TVMA-CVAP Level II certification exam will be considered equivalent, but not identical to:
   1. VTHT 1401-Introduction to Veterinary Technology at Cedar Valley College. (4 semester credit hours – 96 contact hours)
   2. The Articulation Agreement is limited to these equivalent units only.
3. Students enrolled in TVMA-CVAP will be advised that in order to better prepare for success at the post-secondary level, s/he should engage in a series of college preparatory courses at the secondary level. The CVC-VT curriculum requires that students complete 13 semester credit hours in specific general education courses prior to acceptance into the program. As such, students in TVMA-CVAP will be advised that they must complete these requirements prior to application to the CVC-VT Program.
4. TVMA-CVAP shall maintain a complete competency record identifying in detail all classroom and site-based competencies evaluated and achieved for each student.
5. College Credit will be granted once the student completes 13 semester credit hours of college general education courses including but not limited to courses in Mathematics, English Composition, Speech Communications, and General Biology. Each course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. Specific general education course requirements are listed in Appendix 1. College Credit will not be awarded until at least one credit course has been completed through CVC or the DCCCD and the student has completed a Degree Plan Request through the CVC Admissions Office.
6. The student must complete a written petition for equivalency with the veterinary technology program director. When submitted, the director will provide the student with necessary documentation for application to the CVC-VT and the DCCCD. The student is responsible for providing the following documents:

1. Transcripts from all previous colleges attended including course descriptions for all courses for which the student requests substitution toward degree requirements.
2. This agreement shall remain in full force and effect during any single academic year. At any point during an academic year, either party may revoke the agreement by giving the other party at least two months written notice prior to the date of desired termination. Neither party is in any way obliged to maintain this agreement beyond a given academic year.
3. The renewal of this articulation agreement between TVMA-CVAP and CVC-VT will be subject to biennial review and approval by the CVC-VT program director and the office of the Vice Chancellor of Educational Affairs. Renewal is contingent upon maintaining a high quality curriculum formally adopted and taught to specified outcomes by a qualified instructor.
4. It is the responsibility of the TVMA-CVAP director to provide relevant documents including but not limited to the official CVAP Instructional Programs, grades received on the TVMA-CVAP Level II certification exam, and Certificates of Achievement for TVMA-CVAP Level II.
5. TVMA-CVAP must notify CVC-VT of any proposed change in curriculum within 90 days of the implementation date. If the CVC-VT is unsatisfied with the change, the articulation agreement will be voidable at its discretion.

The following parties agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the Cedar Valley College Veterinary Technology Program (CVC-VT) and Texas Veterinary Medical Association Certified Veterinary Assistant Program (TVMA-CVAP) Articulation Agreement as outlined above:

Cedar Valley College Veterinary Technology Program

_________________________________________________________________
 Brian J. Heim, Director—Veterinary Technology Program              Date

 
_________________________________________________________________
 Carol J. Spencer, President—Cedar Valley College              Date

 
_________________________________________________________________
 Robert Aguero, Vice Chancellor, Educational Affairs, DCCCD              Date

 
_________________________________________________________________
John Williamson, Registrar, Cedar Valley College              Date

TVMA Certified Veterinary Assistant Program
 
_________________________________________________________________
 Elbert Hutchins, Executive Director, TVMA              Date

 Appendix 1

General Education Course Requirements

ENGL 1301 - Composition I (3)
This is a common course number. Former course prefix/number ENG 101. Prerequisite: 1) Developmental Reading 0093 AND Developmental Writing 0093 or 2) ESOL 0044 and 0054 or 3) TSI standards. This course focuses on student writing. It emphasizes reading and analytical thinking and introduces research skills. Students practice writing for a variety of audiences and purposes. (3 Lec.) Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 2304015135

BIOL 1406 - General Biology (4)
This is a common course number. Former course prefix/number BIO 101. Prerequisite: None. This course is the first of a two semester sequence designed for students majoring or minoring in biology and related disciplines. Topics include but are not limited to the scientific method, general and biological chemistry, cell structure and function, cell reproduction, and molecular genetics. Laboratory fee. (3 Lec., 3 Lab.) Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 2601015124

Important: Either MATH 1314 or TECM 1303 are acceptable to meet the general education math requirement.

TECM 1303 - Technical Mathematics (3)
This is a WECM course number. Former course prefix/number MTH 136/ MATH 1372/MATH 1373. Prerequisite: None. Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledge, and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student. (3 Lec.)

MATH 1314 - College Algebra (3)
This is a common course number. Former course prefix/number MTH 101. Prerequisite: Two years of high school algebra and an appropriate assessment test score or Developmental Mathematics 0099 or Developmental Mathematics 0093. This course is a study of relations and functions including polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and special functions. Other topics include variation, complex numbers, systems of equations and inequalities, theory of equations, progressions, the binomial theorem, proofs, and applications. MATH 1314 is a 3 credit hour lecture course. MATH 1414 is a 4 credit hour lecture course. Either course will meet degree requirements. (3 Lec.) Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 2701015437

SPCH 1311 - Introduction To Speech Communication (3)
This is a common course number. Former course prefix/number SC 101. Prerequisite: None. Theory and practice of speech communication behavior in one-to-one, small group, and public communication situations are introduced. Students learn more about themselves, improve skills in communicating with others, and prepare and deliver formal public speeches. (3 Lec.) Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 2310015135