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Online Vet Tech Program

Many accredited vet tech schools now offer online programs to meet the demand. These offer a flexible way to take classes on the web and practicums near by. If you love animals find out how to prep for this booming field with an online degree. 

What is an Online Vet Tech Program?

An online vet tech program studies basic science, animal handling and health care. That includes information about pets, exotic and farm animals. Learning these areas you may grow the skills needed to work side by side with veterinarians. Areas like surgical nursing and other lab procedures. 

When looking into veterinary technician programs there are online options at all levels. Most common are associate, bachelor’s and graduate degree programs. An associate degree is the most basic. It stacks clinical training with education in the day to day duties of a V tech. Bachelor’s programs go deeper and may help grads make a career move. Either into vet technology or vet nursing. Master’s and doctor degrees are grad level. A master’s may help if you want to study veterinary sciences. And a doctorate is what vets need to go for a state license. 

As you decide on a program and school, check for AVMA CVTEA accreditation. AVMA is the American Veterinary Medical Association. Also, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). What accredited schools do is set standards. Those who meet these norms may 

• Have transfer credit policies between them
• Take part in Federal financial aid (E.g. Pell Grant, scholarships) 
• Enable grads to take national licensure exams 

Another helpful hint is to check to see what the school’s pass rates for these exams are. This may shed light on how others found the quality of instruction. When available this data is on a school website. 

Associate’s Degree: Veterinary Technician Program 

An associate degree  tends to take two years full time study. Most online schools offer an associate of applied science (AAS). Or associate of science degree (AS). Found at community colleges an AS is a transfer degree. As a result it may cover material in a way that preps grads to finish a bachelor’s degree later. 

An AAS available at trade schools is more of a career prep. It usually walks you through the industry, ethics and daily tasks. Either may stack online course work in basic sciences and in person technical ones. The hands on classes are about procedures and using tools. So these are likely supervised and in a setting (E.g. animal hospital) near you.

When ready to apply you need a high school (HS) diploma or GED. Schools may want to see test scores in math, chemistry, biology, English and reading as well. That said there are schools that are test optional since COVID 19.

Another factor is tuition. To give you an idea we’ll use the last study by the NCES. They reported the avg. 2 year college cost $10,704 per year in 2018. Once you graduate, the next step is to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). It is a credentialing exam and necessary in most states. A passing grade enables one to go for a license, certification (CVT) or registration (RVT). 

Bachelor’s Degree: Veterinary Technology Program 

A bachelor’s degree tends to entail 120 credits and 4 years of full time study. Most aim to prep grads to go for jobs beyond the entry level. With this in mind, may topics are at the advanced level. Some of them may expose you to concepts needed by vet program director areas. Like staffing, marketing and work place safety.

Another set may dig into animal medicine and critical care. Through them you may come to understand common animal diseases and ways to help in surgery. To apply, you need a HS diploma and courses in math, English and lab science. If you already have an AS degree these are likely completed.

Colleges with V tech programs may be competitive. So, they may also set a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher. When searching for schools there are different price points. If you choose a public college in your state it may cost an avg. of $17,797 per year. Private schools are more expensive. They avg. $26,261 (for profit) and $46,014 (nonprofit) per year. 

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program

A DVM is a professional graduate degree. It is the highest award one may achieve in this field and preps grads to pursue state and national licensing exams. Many apply for veterinary medical school admission while obtaining a bachelor degree in a related field. If accepted, the course of study takes four years more. 

The first two years may focus on growing core knowledge and skills. Usually across the species and by weaving basic and clinical sciences with labs. After this come externships or clinic rotations. These are hands on and sometimes run through a summer. You may find these in vet medical centers or hospitals.

From there it may be time to anchor studies in a track. Some prefer to work with small animals such as dogs and cats or large animals, food animals etc. Licensure rules vary by state. But does require one to graduate from an accredited veterinary program.

What can I do with as an online Vet Tech Program Graduate?

Veterinary technician education may be a gateway for a range of career opportunities. Persons with varying degrees staff a veterinary hospital. And as more people have pets and spend money on them it is creating jobs.

The veterinarian is the one who diagnoses, treats, prescribes and takes care of surgery. While vet techs and technologists fill support roles. Both study to be the veterinarian’s nurse, laboratory technician, radiography tech, anesthetist, surgical nurse and client educator. The rule of thumb is that V technicians need a 2 year associate’s degree. And V technologists, a 4 year bachelor’s degree. 

Apart from veterinary practices, there may be jobs in other areas. Biomedical research, zoo / wildlife medicine, military, livestock health management, and pharmaceutical sales. Take a look at some of these potential career paths. 

1. CERTIFIED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN / VET NURSE

Vet techs are essentially the nurses for veterinarians. As a rule, they work in private clinics, a humane society and animal hospitals. In these settings they provide first aid, take x rays and restrain small animals during procedures. Depending on the state rules, one may seek specific credentials (registered, certified, etc.)

2. VETERINARY TECHNOLOGIST

A tech works under the watch of a scientist of veterinarian. Often, this will be in a lab setting and about research. Here they ensure the humane handling of laboratory animals. They also prep tissue samples, record and lab animal’s vitals and pain. 

3. ANIMAL CARE WORKERS

Those working in animal care feed, groom, bathe and exercise non farm animals (pets). These workers may find jobs as pet sitters and animal trainers. Also, in kennels, zoos, stables, animal shelters, pet stores, veterinary clinics and aquariums. The education level one needs ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree.

4. VETERINARY ASSISTANT

A vet assistant helps veterinarians and vet techs. They restrain animals, disinfect cages and check animal health after surgery. Most of these tasks are routine animal care in clinics and hospitals. But they also work in colleges and research labs to help scientists. Many workers in these roles have a certification.

5. VETERINARIANS

A veterinarian diagnoses, treats and researches medical conditions and diseases. They often work with pets though may also work with livestock and other animals. It is their role to euthanize animals, perform surgery and vaccinate. To work in this capacity, one needs a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD). Graduating from an accredited veterinary college and state license are mandatory too.

6. ANIMAL TRAINERS

Trainers teach animals to obey, ride, and help people who have disabilities. Their skills train pets to respond to commands. For example, police dogs who sniff out drugs in the airport. Or, service dogs who help blind people find their way. As such, these roles take a strong grasp of animal behavior and how to work with it.

Is an Online Vet Tech Program worth it?

The skills gained from a vet tech program may yield prospects and opportunity. The number of households with pets is going up and it’s creating high demand. According to the BLS.gov the workforce for vet technologists /technicians should see 16% more jobs to 2029. That’s much faster than most lines of work. The same expansion goes for veterinarians. That’s because they of the up and coming services they offer. Like cancer treatments and others as complex. 

Salaries in these career paths vary of course. The median annual wage for veterinarians was $95,460 in May 2019. Compared to that vet technologists /technicians earned an avg. of $35,320 in that year. Those in colleges and professional schools faring better with avg. annual wages of $40,990. Take away? If you are keen on research positions, it may provide a more lucrative pay check. 

Let’s say you wonder if there are paths to follow with a high school diploma? There should be growth in these areas too. Vet assistants and lab animal care is also fast growing field with projected demand at a 16% rise too.  That said, the avg. annual salaries are lower ($28,590). So if a higher salary, more responsibility and skill level are your goals you tend to need a college degree. 

Online Vet Tech Program Jobs & Salary

Top States for Jobs as a Vet Tech

What classes will I take with an Online Vet Tech Program?

Most of these degree programs blend laboratory procedures, surgical nursing and sciences. These areas discuss how to work with animals of all sizes. And, the more clinical methods that assist veterinarians with many tasks. 

You may study many of these topics when you are going for a data science degree online. But each level of degree is likely to do this in a different way. Below are some of the classes you may find at the associate and bachelors levels.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE CLASSES

An AAS syllabus frames the skills and knowledge that veterinary techs need. Both to pass the VTNE exam and seek work in a professional setting. Most programs walk you through basics first. What types of veterinary practices there are, the people on the health care team and software. Along with these come general college subjects including medical math and English.

Sciences are a staple. So, you tend to study animal anatomy, physiology and biology. Along with this material you study how animals behave. Plus their handling and restraint, patient history, and physical exams. These classes may also be part of your program:

BACHELOR DEGREE CLASSES

BS programs go deeper and entail about 120 credits. The first 2 years may cover general college classes. Ones like biochemistry, math and veterinary sciences.  From this base you often find a class that comes with a related lab. This practical side provides clinical training and in depth medical knowledge.

Some of the areas you may learn about include how to handle small, domestic and large animals. Also the various diseases to look for and how each behaves. Closer to the end you often take part in full semester externships. These allow you to gain first hand experience in an approved local setting. These classes may also be part of your program:

How long are online Vet Tech Programs?

The time it takes to finish a vet tech degree online varies by program level and course load. A general rule is 2 to 3 years for an associate’s and 4 years for a bachelor’s. If planning to go for a DVM degree it tends to take at least four more. 

15 Schools with Online Vet Tech Programs 

Many online schools offer vet tech programs. We have ranked our top 15 schools based on the number of graduates from the program in 2019. Our process looks at 2019 data from the NCES. And, it may help you narrow your search down.

1. Penn Foster College
2. Purdue University Global
3. American National University
4. Madison Area Technical College
5. Ashworth College
6. San Juan College
7. Colby College
8. Allen Community College
9. Metropolitan Community College
10. North Dakota State University
11. Liberty University
12. St. Petersburg College
13. Mercy College
14. Tarleton State University  
15. Oregon State University

FIND AN ONLINE VET TECH PROGRAM

Let’s take a closer look at the vet tech programs that these 15 schools have to offer.