Top 25 Veterinary Technician Programs
Veterinary technician programs teach the skills necessary to work in the fast-growing field of veterinary tech. These programs introduce the fundamentals of nursing, anesthesia, pharmacology, surgery, and other veterinary functions. Students also learn important computer, IT, and interpersonal skills.
Most schools offer veterinary technician associate degrees, which take two years to complete. Learners complete hundreds of hours of clinical experience through internships and externships. Because many vet technician programs embrace online learning, students often pay relatively low tuition rates.
Online vet tech programs lead to positions as veterinary technologists and technicians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), vet technologists and technicians earned a median salary of $35,320 in 2019. The BLS projects jobs for these professionals to grow by 16% between 2019 and 2029, which is much faster than average. With additional education, some vet techs find positions as veterinarians.
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN |
| 2 | University of New Hampshire | Durham, NH |
| 3 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | Alfred, NY |
| 4 | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | Delhi, NY |
| 5 | Johnson College | Scranton, PA |
| 6 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Natchitoches, LA |
| 7 | Vermont Technical College | Randolph, VT |
| 8 | Ogeechee Technical College | Statesboro, GA |
| 9 | Northeast Community College | Norfolk, NE |
| 10 | SUNY College of Technology at Canton | Canton, NE |
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What Are the Goals of a Veterinary Technician Program?
Most veterinary technician programs lead to two-year associate degrees. During these programs, learners complete courses online and gain clinical experience onsite at veterinary practices, human societies, zoos, wildlife facilities, and research facilities.
Specifics vary by program, but most veterinary tech programs blend introductory veterinary coursework with business, mathematics, communications, and computer courses. For example, schools may require learners to finish college mathematics and information literacy courses before diving into more advanced vet tech courses like surgical nursing and radiography.
During their vet tech programs, students must complete at least one externship to learn practical skills. Programs usually include externships, which require at least 200 supervised clinical experience hours, in their required curricula. Vet tech program applicants must submit high school diplomas or GED certificates, and some programs require applicants to first complete prerequisite courses in biology and medical terminology.
By the end of their online vet tech programs, learners demonstrate verbal and written communication skills, computer literacy, and knowledge of pharmacology, nursing, and anesthesia techniques. Graduates meet the minimum requirements to work as veterinary technologists or technicians and, if required by the state, secure professional licensure.
Benefits of Pursuing a Veterinary Technician Career
"Helping animals, and sometimes saving their lives, can be incredibly rewarding."
Aside from entering a high-growth field, veterinary technicians get to work closely with animals and sometimes save their lives. Some benefits of pursuing a veterinary tech career include:
High Job Growth Rate The BLS projects jobs for veterinary technologists and technicians to grow by 16% between 2019 and 2029, much faster than the national average growth rate for all occupations.
Learn Valuable Skills Veterinary techs learn biology, nursing, anesthesia, surgical nursing, and radiography skills, along with professional skills like communication, information technology, and mathematics.
Work Flexible Hours Animal emergencies happen at any time, and veterinary techs often work odd hours. This could mean picking hours that fit around personal schedules.
Work With Animals Anyone who loves animals could enjoy a career as a veterinary tech. These professionals work with dogs, cats, birds, fish, snakes, and other household and exotic pets.
Personal Satisfaction Veterinary technicians check up on animals and ensure they stay healthy. Helping animals, and sometimes saving their lives, can be incredibly rewarding.
How to Become a Veterinary Technician
Prospective veterinary technicians should first earn a veterinary technician associate degree. Employers prefer candidates who hold at least an associate degree, and some states require veterinary technicians to complete a minimum level of education. The BLS recommends that current high school students who plan on becoming veterinary technicians should take biology courses in high school. This could satisfy prerequisite courses for associate programs.
While specifics vary by state, most veterinary techs must earn a license or certification. For example, states commonly require prospective veterinary techs to complete the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), a standardized exam offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. Eligibility requirements for the VTNE also vary by state.
While eligibility requirements for certification or licensure vary by state, most states require at least 250 supervised clinical hours to sit for the VTNE. Accredited veterinary tech programs usually require learners to complete these hours before graduating, ensuring graduates can immediately become certified or licensed.
According to the BLS, veterinary technicians and technologists earn an annual median wage of $35,320 , though the top 10% of earners make more than $51,230 per year. Between 2019 and 2029, the BLS projects an added 18,300 veterinary tech positions to the U.S. economy. Professionals who want to increase their earning potential can continue their schooling and become veterinary technologists or veterinarians.
Finding a Veterinary Technician Program
"Fortunately, many online vet tech programs offer affordable rates, especially compared to on-campus counterparts."
Learners interested in veterinary technician programs likely want an affordable degree with excellent career outcomes. Tuition rates greatly influence which programs students select. Fortunately, many online vet tech programs offer affordable rates, especially compared to on-campus counterparts. Prospective learners can also research financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, grants, and paid internships.
Program length also plays an important role in choosing a school. Most associate degrees take full-time enrollees two years to complete. However, year-round learners, online courses, and accelerated programs all lead to faster program competition times. Finishing the vet tech degree faster could cut total tuition costs while letting graduates begin their new career even sooner.
Learners who select an online vet tech program should consider faculty, course structure, and in-person requirements. Faculty sometimes teach both onsite and online courses, meaning online students receive the same quality education.
Course structure, specifically synchronous or asynchronous courses, influences students' flexibility within the program. Synchronous courses set a rigid schedule while asynchronous courses let students complete courses at their own pace. Finally, all vet tech programs require at least some in-person clinical experience, but schools may organize on-campus immersions.
Accreditation for a Veterinary Technician Program
When researching online vet tech programs, prospective students should pay special attention to accreditation. Accreditation verifies the academic quality of a school or program. To find organizations that extend accreditation, consult the Council for Higher Education Accreditation , one of the main bodies that approve accrediting organizations.
Community colleges, universities, and colleges receive either national or regional accreditation. While both demonstrate academic quality, the best schools receive regional accreditation. Learners should only consider schools with regional accreditation as employers and other schools may not accept applicants with a degree from a nationally accredited school.
After ensuring the school received regional accreditation, applicants should look for programmatic accreditation. For veterinary technician programs, look for accreditation from organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Organizations like the AVMA ensure that vet tech programs meet industry standards, improving graduates' chances of finding a good position after graduation.
Courses in a Veterinary Technician Program
Curricula for veterinary technician programs begin with important foundational courses, gradually moving on to advanced topics. Foundational courses cover subjects like mathematics and English, and teach critical skills for day-to-day veterinary technician tasks. Advanced courses cover topics such as biology and nursing, and build off the foundational courses. Learners gain the knowledge necessary to become certified.
Some programs might allow for specialized elective courses that focus on a specific animal or technique. However, most vet tech degrees only cover topics required for licensure. While specific course requirements and subject matter vary by program, many vet tech degrees require the following courses.
Certifications and Licensure for Veterinary Technicians
While requirements vary by state, most veterinary technicians must earn professional certification. Many states use the Veterinary Technician National Exam, a standardized test offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). If students prefer to work in a similar role, such as veterinary assistant or veterinarian, they must earn additional certifications.
Veterinary Technician National Exam
This test is required to work as a vet tech in most states. The exam evaluates the competency of test-takers. To sit for the exam, individuals must first complete an approved vet tech program, including accredited vet tech associate degrees. AAVSB only offers this exam three times per year.
Approved Veterinary Assistant Exam
Those who plan on becoming veterinary assistants must pass this exam . Offered by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), the exam recognizes an individual's ability to work as an approved veterinary assistant across the United States. To become eligible, learners must complete a NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant program.
Veterinary Certification
Offered by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, this certification qualifies individuals to work as veterinarians. Test-takers also select a specialty when applying, demonstrating their expertise with a specific breed or type of animal. To qualify for the certification, students must finish an approved veterinarian program.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How do you become a veterinary technician? | Veterinary technicians must complete at least an associate degree, earn satisfactory clinical experience, and pass a certification or licensing exam. |
| What is the role of a veterinary technician? | Veterinary technicians perform various tests to diagnose ailments to animals. Tasks including observing animals, administering anesthesia, and providing emergency care. |
| Do vet techs make good money? | According to the BLS, vet techs earn about $17 per hour. However, specific pay rates vary by state, experience, and industry. |
| How much does a veterinarian technician make a year? | Veterinary techs earn a median annual salary of $35,320, according to the BLS However, the top 10% of earners make more than $51,230. |
Top 25 Veterinary Technician Programs
Top 25 Veterinary Technician Programs for 2019
Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, offers on-campus vet tech programs that include hands-on experience working with animals. The programs include a bachelor of science degree, an associate of applied science degree, and a bachelor of science completion option. These degree paths take between three and four years to complete. A maximum of 30 students are admitted to the vet tech program each year.
For those who prefer to take classes online, Purdue's veterinary technology distance learning program offers an associate of applied science degree. The curriculum consists of 27 didactic courses and 18 clinical mentorships. It is designed to be taken part-time over a period of three years. Most students who take this program are already working for a veterinarian and plan to continue this career path.
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To determine the best vet technician schools, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the 50 best vet technician programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.