Grant Enables Two Veterinary Technology Courses to be
Available for Distance Education Students Next Semester

CONTACT: DR. ROSEANN MARSHALL, EXT. 2292

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/13/2000
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- A $5,940 grant will enable two courses in Tri-County Technical College's Veterinary Technology curriculum to be available through distance education to students next semester.

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education has awarded the College an Instructional Technology Incentive grant to offer "Radiology/Parasitology" and "Clinical Techniques II" to students at Midlands Technical College in Columbia.

The Veterinary Technology program at Tri-County is the only two-year accredited associate degree program in the state that trains veterinary technicians.

"Providing this program via the distance education mode will alleviate students from having to move to the tri-county service area to obtain an associate degree in Veterinary Technology, and it will increase the number of certified veterinary technicians in the state," said Dr. Roseann Marshall, who leads the Veterinary Technology program.

These courses are being offered through TECHNET, a compressed two-way audio/video network that consists of the state's 16 technical colleges and the State Technical College System. Students receive the lecture portion of the course over TECHNET and will take their general education courses at Midlands.

Veterinarians will be the instructors, and Dr. Marshall is the supervising veterinarian. All of the classes will originate at Tri-County.

Veterinary Technology is the first full technical program via distance learning for the State Technical College System.

Students will pay $54 per credit hour for the classes, the tuition rate for persons living out of the tri-county area.

Veterinary Technicians work closely with veterinarians and other members of the veterinary team to deliver quality animal health care. Primary responsibilities involve animal nursing, administering medications, assisting in surgery, taking radiographs, inducing and monitoring of anesthesia, hospital management and laboratory duties.
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