Agricultural Sciences FAQ

We have a blended learning option where you do all the classes online but come to campus to do your labs.

Check out our blended program page for more information and the schedule.

This is a common question — you might want to talk to an enrolment specialist, the academic advisor or come to our campus to talk with instructors and see our facilities.

Both are valuable members of a veterinary health care team:

• VTs can do more technical things like taking blood, starting an IV, doing lab work and giving injections.
• VMAs help out with many things but aren't permitted to do the more technical tasks. You may help with animal restraint, feeding animals, cleaning kennels and filling a receptionist/records role at a clinic.

Neither are limited to only working in a vet clinic. You may find yourself in a zoo, humane society, feed lot, pet store or working with a pet food company.

You can find more details on our page comparing the two programs in more details.

Once you complete our program, you register to complete the VTNE exam. It's an exam you must pass to become a Registered Veterinary Technologist.

This means you are eligible to work in a veterinary practice in Canada or the US. You must also register with the appropriate provincial or state association where you plan to live and work.

One of the most popular double majors combines Agribusiness with Animal Science Technology or Crop Technology. Agribusiness could be taken before or after either program.

After completing a diploma, you can also take the Bachelor of Agriculture Technology degree at Lakeland.

If you want to move from the General Agriculture certificate to one of our two-year diplomas, it's easy. If you haven't started at Lakeland, contact your enrolment specialist or the admissions office and they can make the change for you.

If you're already in the program, meet with your academic advisor to reapply.

The VMA program doesn't transfer directly into the VT program. However, your time in the VMA program will help you in the VT program.

Check out the further study section in each of the program pages for more information. You can also talk to the academic advisor.

If it's before classes begin, please contact your enrolment specialist. We keep a count for scheduling for animal science, agribusiness and general ag programs.

This is included in the cost of your program for the horse you work with. If you bring another horse with you for pleasure or rodeo, then you have to apply to board your animal. More details on the application and costs can be found on our Equine Centre page.

All programs go on field trips, although the locations vary by program.

You might travel to Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary or elsewhere, sometimes for a tradeshow, ranch visit, workshop, zoo or an industry event.

Yes, so you'll need steel-toed boots. Your classes will depend on the program you're in. For example, in animal science, you have an animal handling course.

Yes — you'll join the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA). You register as a student during the first week of classes.

The ABVMA requires a photocopy of one of the following for your registration:

• Canadian passport
• Canadian birth certificate
• Canadian SIN card
• Canadian work visa
• Canadian permanent resident visa

You definitely need work clothes. Some people prefer coveralls.

For biosecurity reasons, you need different boots and work clothes for home and the college farm.

VT and VMA students are required to have two pairs of long-sleeved coveralls. You'll also need two lab coats. VT students will need one pair of surgical scrubs, available at the campus store.

Yes. As per college policy, if you have a lab anywhere on the farm, you must have a pair of steel-told boots. We recommend:

• rubberized boots if you'll be in corrals or on wet ground
• easy-to-clean boots — a different pair than you may use at your home farm or other farm

Pets aren't permitted in residence, so if you really want to bring one, you'll have to find a place off campus.