Animal Laboratory Technician

Animal Laboratory Technology

Offered at: Larimer

If you have an interest in advancing medical care for humans and animals and are interested in working with many different types of animal species, FRCC’s Animal Lab Technology Program may be the right fit for you. The Animal Lab Technology Program delves into the biomedical research industry, in which researchers work to understand, prevent, treat, and cure diseases in humans and animals.

A Career as an Animal Lab Technician

Your career in laboratory animal science could range from cage washer to animal laboratory technician to facility manager, or you may choose to pursue clinical veterinary science. Employers from biotechnology firms to pharmaceutical companies, from biomedical engineering firms to academic institutions need animal lab technicians.

Only Community College with Animal Lab Tech Degree

In 2008, FRCC was awarded a grant from Metro Denver Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) to develop an associate degree in animal laboratory technology and two certificate programs, as well as an onsite American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification program. Front Range is the only community college in the country with an associate degree in animal laboratory technology, and many of the courses in the program transfer to Colorado State University’s B.S. in Animal Sciences.

Animal Laboratory Technician Degrees & Certificates

• A.A.S. Animal Laboratory Technology—a two-year program that trains students to work in the biomedical research industry, caring for and managing laboratory animals. See required courses.

• Laboratory Animal Care Certificate—a 12-credit program that provides the basic fundamentals of the major animal species used in lab research. See required courses. This entry level program includes a 135-hour lab animal internship in a biomedical research facility, hours for which count toward the required work experience needed for AALAS certification.

• Laboratory Animal Care and Management Certificate—a 13-credit program that gives students a foundation in animal care and management with an emphasis in anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and health procedures. See required courses. (Students must complete the Laboratory Animal Care Certificate before enrolling in this program.)

Many students complete both certificates while earning the A.A.S. Animal Laboratory Technology. In fact, all courses in the Laboratory Animal Care Certificate and Laboratory Animal Care and Management Certificate apply toward the A.A.S.

Admissions Process

Ready to get started? Follow these steps:

1. Attend an informational meeting. Meetings are from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. the first Thursday of each month in the Mount Antero building, Room 131.
2. Complete the program application.
3. Contact Mardie Altman, program director, to arrange an advising appointment to ensure the Animal Laboratory Technology Program is right for you.
4. Meet with an FRCC advisor. You can start the admission process by getting started here.

Other Veterinary Programs at FRCC

In addition to the A.A.S. Animal Laboratory Technology, FRCC also offers programs in related fields of study:

• A.A.S. Veterinary Technology – The veterinary technician degree is for students interested in working on a veterinary team with responsibilities including nursing care of animals, lab work, surgical assisting, client education, and more.
• Veterinary Technician Assistant Certificate – The Veterinary Technician Assistant Program is ideal for those seeking an introduction to veterinary medicine with a limited investment of time and money. As a veterinary assistant, you will support veterinary technicians.

Get National Certification as a Laboratory Animal Technician

The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certifies three levels of technician competence, depending on your education and work experience:

• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)
• Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT)
• Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG)

FRCC’s programs prepare students for the AALAS Technician Certification exam. Learn more about AALAS certification.

Annual Salary for Animal ab technician

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Occupational Statistics Survey (2011)