Best Online Vet Tech Programs

Veterinary technicians essentially provide nursing services to animals. They focus on health care prevention through animal check-ups and vaccinations, as well as taking care of animals who are sick or have become injured. As animals may board at the clinic for extended periods, vet techs can be called upon to work evening hours, on weekends, or even during holidays. They may also suffer injuries from bites or scratches while restraining a scared animal during an examination.

However, the job of a vet tech may also be a rewarding one, particularly for those individuals who love animals. Neighborhood vet clinics offer the opportunity to form bonds with a community's pet population, as well as with their owners. Techs can teach a new pet owner how to care for their animal, or help a sick animal recover from their illness. Those considering a vet tech degree, and a subsequent career as a veterinary technician, should ideally possess a great deal of sensitivity and compassion toward both humans and animals. They must be detail oriented, particularly in the administration of medication and when performing medical tests. It is helpful if the vet tech is strong physically, as animals must be lifted onto an examination table, and restrained when necessary. Good communication skills are also critical in order to be successful when offering counsel to owners, working with colleagues, and taking direction from the supervising veterinarian.

Application, Admissions, and Enrollment for Online Vet Tech Associate's Degree Programs

Applying for an online vet tech associate's degree program typically begins with the completion of an online form listing basic information such as your name, address, email, and cell phone number, along with an indication as to your preferred area of study. Upon submission of the interest form, potential students are contacted by a staff member from the college to discuss enrollment procedures. Official transcripts showing the awarding of a high school diploma will need to be submitted, along with the completion of a general application to the college. Some programs do require the student to complete part or all of their general education coursework prior to formal admission into the veterinary technology portion of the program. General education requirements may consist of courses in English, math, biology, humanities, and fine arts. Additionally, students may be required to be at least 18 years of age before entrance into the program. Since many of the colleges offer both onsite and online/distance programs, applicants will need to ensure they have specified their preferred format.

Associate's degrees are typically designed to be completed within a two-year period. Online coursework for a vet tech associate's degree is generally divided into five consecutive semesters. However, this timeline may be affected by the student's ability to take classes during the summer, work requirements or outside commitments which could result in the need for a smaller class load during a semester, or financial constraints which might necessitate a delay of a semester or more.

Tuition costs for programs may vary widely between colleges. As the program is online, and local residence is not required, applicants do have the benefit of being able to contact many different colleges in order to compare their rates. Colleges should provide the tuition rate for participation in the program prior to requiring submission of an application. Some colleges post a table on their website outlining their tuition rates. Other colleges simply advise individuals to call the school for tuition information. It is very important to ask whether the price of tuition is different for the online, or distance, education programs and their in-state or out-of-state tuition rates for in-person instruction.

Most online vet tech degrees require between 70 and 80 credit hours, with approximately 25 of those credits comprised of general education courses in the areas of English, math, science, and/or fine arts. Core content courses include instruction in lab techniques, anesthesiology, diagnostic imaging, pathology, and pharmacology for animals. These courses help prepare students to conduct medical tests, assist in surgery, and learn how to ensure equipment is properly sterilized.

Preceptorships, which may also be called a practicum, offer students practical experience and training similar to that of an apprenticeship. Practicums may be required either throughout the program or during the final semester.

An associate's degree in veterinary technology prepares the student for a job as a veterinary technician, also known as a vet tech. Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians with exams, laboratory testing, and preparation for surgery. They work under the supervision of the veterinarian in administering prescribed treatment, vaccinations, or medication. It is possible for vet techs to specialize in areas of animal medicine such as anesthesia, critical care, zoology, or dentistry. Vet techs can work with small animals, such as cats and dogs, or they can train to work with farm animals. Vet techs may also be referred to as animal health technicians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average (mean) annual salary for veterinary technicians in May 2020 was $37,860.

Begin a Career as a Vet Tech

In addition to completing an associate's degree, a passing score on a national certification examination must be submitted to the regulatory board for the state in which the vet tech applicant wishes to seek employment. The certification exam used by most states is called the Veterinary Technician National Exam, or VTNE. It is an online exam, and is offered three times each year. Since each state has its own regulatory agency for licensing vet techs, and rules may differ slightly between states, the American Association of Veterinary State Boards maintains a website containing the contact information for each state's agency.

Begin a Career as a Veterinarian

A veterinarian, or vet, must attend a college of veterinary medicine and receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Admission to these programs may be competitive, with preference often given to applicants who have work experience in a veterinary clinic, at an animal shelter, or on a farm. Generally, the first three years of the program are classroom and laboratory based, with the fourth and final year in clinical rotations at a vet hospital or clinic.

There is a licensing examination which is required, called the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. Additionally, the same regulatory board that oversees vet techs also provides the licensure requirements for veterinarians. As these agencies are located within each state, the website provided by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards serves as the best tool for locating contact information for the board or agency relevant to each applicant.

Veterinarians diagnose and prescribe treatment for sick or injured animals, provide vaccinations, perform surgery when needed, and educate owners regarding care, treatment, and medical conditions. Most veterinarians work in a hospital or vet clinic. They can often work over 40 hours per week, particularly when responding to medical emergencies. The average (mean) annual salary for veterinarians was $108,350 in May 2020, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The accrediting board for online or distance education vet tech associate's programs is the American Veterinary Medical Association's Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities, or CVTEA. Made up of 20 members, the CVTEA awards and monitors accreditation for vet tech training programs that meet set standards in preparing students for an entry-level position in the field. It is essential to ensure that a program is fully accredited by the CVTEA prior to enrolling. A complete listing of accredited programs may be found on the association's website.

A number of colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in veterinary technology, veterinary science, or animal science. Since each institution's transfer policies differ, it is important to contact the enrollment or advising staff within the preferred university to determine which courses will transfer info their bachelor's degree program. Some schools will allow online vet tech associate degree graduates to transfer their completed associate degree coursework into a Bachelor of Applied Science program at the same school. Other schools offer a pre-veterinary pathway to vet tech students, allowing them to enroll in veterinary pre-requisite courses in preparation for application to a veterinary school.

There are several options open to students who choose a career in veterinary science. One entry-level position often available is that of a veterinary assistant, or animal caretaker. No training is required in order to apply for this position, and a high school diploma or GED is the only educational requirement. Since most associate's programs require a practicum, or work experience in a clinical environment, a position as a vet assistant enables the student to meet that requirement while completing their online vet tech program. Bachelor's and master's degree programs in veterinary technology or veterinary science are available in fully online formats at many colleges and universities as well. Although they are much less common, a few colleges of veterinary medicine are beginning to offer online courses that count toward their doctorate degree programs in veterinary medicine.

Online Bachelor's Programs in Veterinary Technology

A bachelor's degree is required to become a certified veterinary technologist, and can be a helpful pathway for vet technicians interested in furthering their education, or eventually applying to veterinary school. Some programs are available in a fully online format.

A related degree, the Bachelor of Animal Science, is also offered via online programs. This degree is designed for those interested in careers involving ranching operations, food processing, or livestock feed.

Online Master's Programs in Veterinary Science

In keeping with the increasing shift toward online learning, veterinary colleges are beginning to offer fully online master's degree programs in veterinary science. A master's program can assist students who are working toward their certification or licensure as a vet technician, technologist or even as a veterinarian, with coursework designed to align with the content contained in these certification exams.

Online Doctoral Programs in Veterinary Medicine

Currently, online options are extremely limited for students working to obtain their DVM, or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. The laboratory coursework and clinical rotations essential to mastery of the specialized content can serve as impediments to an effective online format. There are, however, an increasing number of programs allowing students to take prerequisite coursework online, minimizing the amount of time students must spend in onsite residency during their doctoral studies.

Online Certificate Programs in Veterinary Science

Online certificate programs are available for working professionals, and are generally comprised of four to five courses in a subject area related to veterinary science. Certificates in shelter medicine are designed to assist the graduate student in learning how to help prevent animal homelessness, inform decisions regarding population management, and manage infectious diseases. Animal welfare certificates offer instruction to graduate students seeking to learn new tools to help improve the quality of life for animals, while certificate programs in veterinary medicine include topics such as critical care, toxicology, and pain management.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application is an essential starting point for applying for financial aid. This form is used by colleges to determine eligibility for scholarships, and in awarding grants or student loans. Additionally, many colleges offer assistance in locating scholarships for students in need. Students interested in the online vet tech program at Jefferson State Community College located in Birmingham, Alabama are eligible for a number of scholarships, including the Pioneer Scholarship for enrolled students who have completed at least 24 credit hours at the college. This scholarship pays tuition and fees for up to 15 hours per semester for 6 semesters. Other scholarships at Jefferson State are open to high school students who have not yet begun their college studies.

Associations and organizations are another excellent source for scholarships. Oxbow Animal Health, for example, offers a $500 scholarship to students who are enrolled in, or have been accepted by, a vet tech program. The International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories offers $1,000 scholarships to enrolled vet students who value compassionate aftercare for clients dealing with the loss of a pet.

Types of Online Vet Tech Associate's Degrees

Associate's degrees in veterinary technology are the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree, or the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. The A.A.S. is considered to be a terminal degree, meaning the student does not intend to pursue further academic studies. The A.S. degree, however, is designed for those students who wish to eventually transfer their credits into a related bachelor's degree program. Both vet tech associate's degrees are two-year programs consisting of 70 to 80 credits. The A.S. degree would be the correct path for a student interested in eventually becoming a veterinary technologist, which requires a bachelor's degree, or a student interested in becoming a veterinarian, which requires a doctorate degree. The A.A.S. degree would be best suited to the student whose sole interest is in becoming a certified veterinary technician.

Veterinary assistants are similar to vet technicians, with the primary differences being the educational and certification requirements. A veterinary assistant is an entry-level position into a vet clinic. While a vet tech position requires a two-year associate's degree and a passing score on a certification exam, a high school diploma or GED is typically the only educational requirement for a vet assistant. No certification or prior experience is needed. Training for a vet assistant is provided by the clinic after they are hired. The role of an assistant is to support the vet tech and veterinarian in taking care of the basic needs of the animals, such as feeding, exercising, and bathing. They help monitor an animal post-surgery, and assist in the sterilization of the operating room and equipment. They can also administer medication and assist with the collection of blood or tissue samples as requested by the vet. Unlike veterinary technicians, assistants are not able to conduct medical diagnostic tests or administer anesthesia to the animals. The average (mean) annual wage for veterinary assistants is $30,980 according to a May 2020 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While veterinary technician positions are most commonly located in private veterinary clinics, technologist positions are typically found in research settings, such as research labs. They work under the oversight of a scientist, and have to be proficient in the use of medical instruments and equipment. Keeping detailed records of the weight, diet, and genealogy of each animal is an essential part of the technologist's duties, in addition to preparing tissue samples, checking animals for any sign of pain, overseeing the humane treatment of the animals, and administering medications. Technologists are often required to put in long hours, including weekends, nights, and holidays.