Find your perfect college degree
If your calling in life is to care for animals, it would be a wonderful idea to earn a living while pursuing your passion. However, because being a veterinarian may be expensive and requires years of education, some people decide against it. In such a case, one great alternative is to enroll in an online associate in Veterinary Technician degree and, later on, work your way in applying to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician.
A two-year academic program is often enough to get employment as a veterinary technician or technologist. These professions are projected to demonstrate a 21% job growth to serve the approximately 86.9 million households in the US that own a pet.
Your prior experience in a vet clinic will be helpful to this degree program if you are a veterinary assistant seeking career progression. This specialized associate degree also qualifies students for a state-administered licensing exam that gives them the green light to handle far more sophisticated animal care activities.
Become a Veterinary Technician with a Top-Rated Associate Degree Program!
Veterinary Technology associate degree programs focus on the skills required in vet clinics and animal hospitals. Full-time enrollees complete the program in just two years.
Veterinary Tech associate program students deal with animal diseases, veterinary pharmacology, small animal nursing, veterinary diagnostic imaging, veterinary pharmacy, and many more. To become indispensable in the workplace, professionals must also demonstrate analytical skills, collaboration, creative thinking, interpersonal skills, and leadership.
The Lowdown
An associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology online equips students for work assisting veterinarians in caring for and treating animals. The coursework consists of Veterinary Science courses, including animal anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, pathology, diagnostic imaging, surgical nursing, and medical terminology. Medical procedures, animal ethics, and different animal species are taught to students in this two-year program. Students may also be required to complete a hands-on component along with theoretical learning online.
Methodology
If you are passionate about animal health and welfare, you should consider becoming a veterinary technician. An associate degree in veterinary tech online is a good place to start.
By selecting the right Veterinary Tech online associate degree program, you can reach your academic goals and prepare for the future! We took these factors into account in choosing each of the veterinary technician programs and the school that offers them:
- May be pursued as an online or blended associate program with flexible class schedules and self-paced learning style options,
- Features online and on-site training on the basics of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology,
- Prepares students for entry-level work in the field of veterinary tech or the next undergraduate level or bachelor’s program,
- Offers easy transition pathways to a bachelor’s degree program at partnering institutions,
- Features the industry’s top veterinary technology professionals and experts as professors,
- Offers federal aid, grants, scholarships, and student loans,
- Earned accreditation from academic agencies that establish the online associate program standards,
- Recognized by organizations where veterinary technology is a relevant discipline.
Head on over to our Methodology page for more details on our ranking process.
9 Best Online Colleges with Online Associates in Veterinary Tech
Mount Wachusett Community College
Mount Wachusett Community College comes with an Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology that prepares students to handle a diverse range of tasks. By giving prescriptions, inserting IV catheters, running diagnostic tests, and using many other sophisticated techniques, they provide vital nursing care to hospitalized patients.
When a veterinary surgeon is operating on a patient, a veterinary technician is frequently seen running and supervising the anesthetic on the patient or entering the operating room to assist the surgeon. Students can develop the practical and analytical abilities expected of veterinary technicians.
Graduates sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam, which is the first step towards obtaining state certification or licensure. Veterinary technicians may specialize in areas like anesthesia, emergency care, and dentistry. As a veterinary technician, you might even start your clinic, work on your schedule, and select your customers.
The following courses are part of the associate degree in Veterinary Tech:
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Veterinary Clinical Nursing Skills
- Surgical Nursing and Dentistry
- Veterinary Radiology
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Medicine and Management of Exotics and Laboratory Animals
- Farm Animal Medicine
- Veterinary Clinical Nursing Skills
- Veterinary Technician Internship
- Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals
- Veterinary Clinical Laboratory Procedures
- Domestic Animal Behavior
Ashworth College
A satisfying job as a licensed veterinary technician is what you can expect upon completing Ashworth College’s online Associate in Veterinary Technology degree program. Working in the veterinary industry is ideal if you’re seeking a fulfilling job that allows you to make a difference.
This online degree is certified by the American Veterinary Medical Association and Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities, and it is ready to provide you with core skills as a vet tech.
In their online vet tech program, you’ll also receive 270 hours of clinical experience to help you be ready for real-world work. This associate degree comes with four semesters in total, and it offers specific training in the day-to-day responsibilities of a vet tech. In zoos and animal clinics, vet techs work alongside veterinarians and veterinary assistants.
Veterinarian technicians can offer crucial and technical care to sick and recovering dogs with two to four years of academic training and on-the-job training. Your entry-level knowledge and skills for a career as a veterinary technician will be provided to you by the Associate in Applied Science Veterinary Technician program.
The program’s objective is to produce graduates who are outstanding contributors to the veterinary healthcare team. The curriculum offers a solid grounding in the fundamental sciences, together with the in-depth course content needed to hone the technical and critical thinking abilities required of entry-level veterinary technicians.
Below are some of the courses in this Associate in Veterinary Tech program:
- Animal Diseases
- Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
- Small Animal Husbandry and Restraint
- Veterinary Laboratory Procedures
- Achieving Academic Excellence
- Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
- Veterinary Laboratory Procedures
- Large Animal Nursing and Medicine
- Veterinary Pharmacy and Pharmacology
- Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgical Nursing
- Laboratory and Exotic Animal Care and Nursing
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- Small Animal Nursing
Platt College
For as little as 19 months, Platt College’s online Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology can be awarded to you. This associate degree is created to give students the comprehensive information and practical experience required to land entry-level jobs in the field of animal health care.
Veterinary technicians help veterinarians treat animals’ medical conditions. The veterinary technician plays a crucial role in the care of animals, carrying out important duties that help with diagnosis and treatment.
You will still learn essential information about caring for animals even while finishing the program in less than two years. You will study the most recent veterinary technology practices and receive training from top-notch instructors. You will learn about various veterinarian practices, such as administering vaccines and gathering samples for lab tests. The veterinary technician is a crucial member of the animal care team, carrying out important jobs that support diagnosis and treatment.
The American Veterinary Medical Association has granted full accreditation to Platt College’s School of Medical Sciences’ Veterinary Technology Associate of Science degree programs. For those who need support and guidance, students can reach out to their career services department at Platt College. They can also assist with job placements, but they don’t assure permanent employment.
San Juan College
The Associate in Applied Science – Veterinary Technology program is available from San Juan College. They are aware that members of a veterinary team must include vet technologists. You gain the skills to help veterinarians in pharmacology, clinical or surgical procedures, and diagnostic imaging. You will deepen the relationship between animals and their human families if you give your animal patients the best care possible.
You can complete the veterinary assistant program at San Juan College in just one year. In addition, they offer a certificate in veterinary practice management that will prepare you to run an animal hospital or clinic successfully.
However, VTNE certification is required to become a veterinarian technician. With San Juan College’s excellent education and accommodating faculty, you will be ready for this exam.
Get an associate’s degree in applied science in veterinary technology to help veterinarians better the lives of their patients’ animals. This curriculum can be completed in two years by full-time students. Based on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s list of necessary and advised duties, Veterinary Technology emphasizes strategies for aiding in diagnostic, surgical, and clinical procedures, as well as business skills required to fulfill the profession’s demands.
Here are some courses to expect in this online associate degree program:
- Vet Nursing Care
- Large Animal Diseases & Medical Care
- Vet Clinical Pathology
- Small Animal Diseases
- Vet Diagnostic Imaging
- Video Portfolio Veterinary Nursing
- Vet Anesthesia & Surgical Assisting
- Veterinary Medical Terminology
- Pharmacology & Medical Therapeutics
Penn Foster College
An online Associate Degree in Veterinary Technician is available from Penn Foster College, and it may be finished in as little as nine months. With Penn Foster’s online Veterinary Technician Associate Degree, you may follow your passion for working with animals and get ready for a job in veterinary healthcare that is in high demand. You can learn at your own pace with their self-paced, online American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited vet tech courses.
It takes two externships to complete this online veterinary technician program. The first externship focuses on cats and dogs, and the other covers all kinds of animals of all sizes and breeds.
However, before starting your externship, you should speak with authorized school personnel to find out if the clinic you’re planning to do your externship with complies with the school’s requirements.
Here are the required courses for this online associate degree:
- Animal Nutrition, Reproduction, Genetics, and Aging
- Veterinary Office Management and Skill with People
- Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians
- Introduction to Biology for Veterinary Technicians
- Clinical Parasitology for Veterinary Technicians
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- Radiography for Veterinary Technicians
- Clinical Externship
- Animal Anatomy and Physiology 1
- Anesthesia for Veterinary Technicians
- Medical Nursing for Veterinary Technicians
- Medical Mathematics
The American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities has granted full accreditation to just a select few institutions, including Penn Foster’s Veterinary Technician degree program.
Northern Virginia Community College
Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology is made available at Northern Virginia Community College. The Veterinary Technology program is made for people who want to learn the most up-to-date methods and abilities to equip them for careers as veterinary technicians and other related jobs. Some of the work settings for this profession include animal clinics, animal hospitals, research and diagnostic labs, and zoos.
For many people, deciding to pursue a career in veterinary tech is an exciting and personally fulfilling decision. They have a highly mixed population of male and female students in their Veterinary Technology program, both with and without prior animal experience.
Check out this Veterinary Tech program’s courses:
- Clinical Pathology
- Animal Diseases
- Introduction to Human Communication
- Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals
- Animal Pharmacology
- Clinical Practices
- Introductory Chemistry
- Anesthesia of Domestic Animals
- Animal Dentistry
- Animal Breeds and Behavior
- Interpersonal Communication
- College Composition
- Clinical Practices
The Veterinary Technician National Exam passing rate at Northern Virginia Community College is greater than the norm. Depending on your pace, you can complete the 68-credit-hour Associate’s in Veterinary Technology in two to three years.
Dallas College
An Associate Degree in Veterinary Tech is offered online by Dallas College. The American Veterinary Medical Association has identified a need for graduate veterinary technicians, which is what this program is intended to address.
Graduates typically assist veterinarians in private practice, like animal clinics and hospitals. They can also work in biological research or animal healthcare facilities. Before admission, applicants must be evaluated first, and they are encouraged to have strong academic backgrounds in biology, math, and English.
Here are the courses in this online Associate in Veterinary Technology online program:
- Canine and Feline Clinical Management
- Veterinary Radiology
- Anesthesia and Surgical Assistance
- Veterinary Office Management
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Large Animal Assisting Techniques
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- Veterinary Clinical Pathology
- Lab Animal Clinical Management
- Equine Clinical Management
- Food Animal Clinical Management
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
The goal of the veterinary technology curriculum is to equip graduates with the knowledge, practical experience, and technical abilities required to carry out all practice-related technical tasks except animal surgery, prescription, and diagnosis. The Texas Veterinary Medical Association Examination to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician is open to graduates of this associate program.
Blue Ridge Community College
Blue Ridge Community College offers its Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology online to degree seekers in the field of Veterinary Tech. It is intended for people who are already employed as veterinary assistants in offices because of how convenient the classes are.
The classes are combined with both online and in-person formats, where students are required to visit the Blue Ridge Community College campus three times per semester for labs. Veterinary hospitals require 350 hours of work during the coordinated externship, which occurs between the second and third years of study.
Here are some courses required for this online associate degree:
- Veterinary Medical Terminology and Calculations
- Applied Veterinary Surgical Nursing
- Coordinated Practice in Veterinary Technology
- Animal Pharmacology
- Survey of Chemistry
- Anatomy & Physiology of Domestic Animals
- Animal Diseases and Microbiology
- Introduction to Animal Science
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- Companion Animal Behavior
Students who complete either of these programs are eligible for the Veterinary Technician National Examination to become licensed as veterinary technicians. Graduates may choose to work as a technician in a vet clinic, zoo, and animal shelter.
Colby Community College
Colby Community College offers a Veterinary Nursing Associate of Applied Science degree. Working in veterinary hospitals with animals gives students in the distance learning veterinary nursing program practical experience. The program is convenient, adaptable, and reasonably priced. Students can finish their coursework whenever it is convenient for them throughout the week since they are not expected to come to class at set hours.
There is no requirement for students to come to campus. However, as a service to students who do not have access to some animal species, they provide on-campus weekend mentorships for their big animal mentorship, laboratory pet mentoring, and microbiology mentorship courses throughout the fall and spring semesters.
To succeed in a distance learning veterinary nursing program, students must be computer savvy, organized, driven, and possess excellent time management skills. It is also necessary for them to be able to read and comprehend written materials and must adopt a good study pace.
Here are some required courses for this associate program:
- Basic Nutrition of Domestic Animals
- Animal Facility Management and Sanitation Mentorship
- Breeds of Domestic Animals
- Small Animal Clinical Procedures Mentorship
- Small Animal Clinical Procedures
- Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Nurses
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Animal Facility Management and Sanitation
- Veterinary Clinical Chemistry Mentorship
- Veterinary Nursing Pharmacology
- Veterinary Clinical Chemistry
4 Essential Tips to Become a Veterinary Technician
1. Finish high school.
To become a vet tech, you will need a postsecondary degree. Thus, getting your high school diploma or GED is the first step. If you’re still in high school, now is a wonderful time to take classes that can be solid backgrounds for veterinary tech.
These include biology, chemistry, and other scientific courses. While finishing this phase of your school, there are several options to obtain experience. Work at an animal shelter, volunteer at a veterinary clinic, or acquire a part-time job at a dog daycare, for instance.
2. Enroll in an Associate or Bachelor’s in Veterinary Tech.
It is time to decide if you want to become a veterinary technologist or technician after you have completed high school. This influences the kind of college degree you need must earn. For instance, veterinary technologists must complete a four-year bachelor’s degree, whereas veterinary technicians must finish a two-year associate’s degree to take their certification exam. Make sure to compare both degrees and enroll in the best program that will suit your goals.
3. Fulfill externships and clinical hour requirements.
Although classroom instruction is excellent, practical experience is equally necessary. Be prepared to put in more work outside of your planned class hours since veterinary technician and technologist programs often include externships or clinical hours.
Your path to becoming a vet tech will benefit greatly from clinical experience. You will have the chance to work with a variety of animals, get a feel for the environment of an animal hospital or clinic, and learn about veterinary care specialty.
4. Pass the VTNE exam.
All vet tech graduates must pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards before they can assume their new positions. It is a necessary licensure, and each state has its requirements to make you work as a credible vet tech.
No matter which state you intend to work in, this exam, which is offered to recent graduates during three exam windows each year, is essential to getting your vet tech credentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worthwhile to become a veterinary technician?
People who like animals and want to work outside of an office should consider becoming veterinarian technicians. The market hires over 14,000 new workers every year, which represents strong career growth to date. In addition, the sector offers excellent employment stability and opportunities for promotion.
What kinds of technical equipment will I have to use?
One of the many pieces of equipment that vet technicians use is a digital thermometer designed specifically for use with animals. Vet techs also have an otoscope, which is used to examine ears. Animals’ hearts and lungs can be heard with stethoscopes, and their blood pressure is measured automatically with blood pressure monitors. All these and more equipment are necessary if you want to practice as a veterinary technician.
Is becoming a veterinary technician difficult?
As a vet tech, you perform unpleasant procedures on animals despite your love for them. You also spend long hours in a fast-paced environment. The amount of difficulty varies from person to person, dependent on personal strengths, study habits, and determination. Becoming a veterinary technician can be difficult.
Programs for veterinary technicians may include challenging curriculum in subjects including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and medical procedures. The subject matter might be difficult, but with commitment and a solid work ethic, it is manageable.
Do I need to have work experience to get an associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology?
In most Vet Tech associate programs, prior experience is not required. Recent high school graduates who meet the application requirements are typically accepted. However, some universities would insist that students work while enrolled in a degree program. This is to make sure that while taking online coursework, you’ll receive the necessary practical experience.
Key Takeaways
- Animal care work may be physically taxing. Veterinary technicians may be required to handle upset animals, lift hefty animals, and operate outside in a variety of weather situations. Dealing with sick or injured animals and their owners can be difficult on an emotional level.
- Being a veterinary technician demands commitment, perseverance, and a sincere love of animals. Even while it might be difficult, many people find the job to be immensely fulfilling since they get to improve the lives of both animals and their owners.
- To get licensed, one must pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) after finishing an associate degree curriculum for veterinary technicians. The VTNE is a thorough test that examines several facets of veterinary technology.
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