Veterinary Technician Degree

Get Your Veterinary Technician Degree

There are primarily two levels of education to obtain a veterinary technician degree. Depending on your preference, time availability and resources, you can opt for a two-year associate veterinary technician degree or a four-year bachelor veterinary technician degree. Majority of practicing veterinary techs have completed a two-year associates degree from an accredited program in various colleges, universities and medical institutions.

Regardless of what you program you choose, a vet tech course should be conducted in a clinical or laboratory setting using live animals. Some schools offer a veterinary technician degree that can be taken through distance learning. However, these programs should still include an unpaid and supervised clinical training.

To complete a veterinary technician degree online or offline, you will need extensive knowledge in biology, science and math subjects. You should also be able to practice good communication skills as you will be working closely with pet owners.

In choosing schools that offer veterinary technician degree, it is important that you check if the American Veterinary Medical Association accredits your chosen programs. Once you have graduated from an AVMA-accredited program and received a veterinary technician degree, you can take a credentialing exam in any state in the country. Although each state regulates vet techs differently, all states will require you to pass the credentialing exam after completing a diploma or certification.

Although a veterinary technician degree may be enough to obtain a high-paying job as a vet tech, pursuing and passing the state exam proves your competency in the field of veterinary. The exam includes oral, written and practical tests, which are regulated by the State Board of Veterinary Examiners. Generally, vet techs begin work as trainees under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. However, as experience, skills and level of training increases, the veterinary technician can take on other responsibilities and carry out more tasks even without supervision.

Featured Veterinary Technician School

The Brown Mackie College system of schools offers both Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Technology associate’s degrees.* The Veterinary Technician/Technology programs are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to obtain entry-level employment in a variety of modern veterinary clinical settings and veterinary-related fields.

Coursework focuses on a wide range of clinical skills, including animal patient care, laboratory procedures, medical imaging, anesthesia administration and monitoring, and surgical assisting for a variety of domestic animals.

* Program availability varies by location.

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