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Veterinary (vet) technician programs deliver detailed training and education in diagnostics, medical procedures, animal care, and additional critical skills required ot work in an animal-related facility.
Many students are interested in this topic because of their admiration for animals and their desire to help them in times of need.
However, to become a vet technician, you must complete a training program that helps you jump into entry-level positions.
Vet techs work with veterinarians to educate pet owners, conduct laboratory tests, administer treatments, assist in surgeries, and deliver medical care.
Therefore, finding the right program is crucial to ensure you maximize your knowledge of the field.
Keep reading to learn more!
Earn your accredited, affordable Veterinary Technician Associate Degree online with Penn Foster!
Best Online Vet Technician Programs
Ten: Penn Foster College
Rounding out the top 10 list is Penn Foster College.
Penn Foster is considered one of the top online vocational schools in the U.S.
With countless programs, they set the gold standard in distance learning.
The Penn Foster online vet tech training program combines online academic learning with required practical training.
Students must complete a clinical externship at an approved veterinary location to convert theoretical knowledge to practical application.
Students receive the support and flexibility from the school that’s necessary for success.
This veterinary technician program is an associate degree, which requires two years to complete.
The cost per credit is $425, and the required number of credits to graduate is 60.
Also, Penn Foster is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
Nine: Jefferson State Community College
JSCC offers an online veterinary technology program whereby courses are available through a customized, interactive online platform.
Students participate in virtual labs and are required to complete a clinical experience at an approved facility.
This gives students a more comprehensive veterinary medicine education experience so they can be successful in the workforce.
This program is also an associate degree, so it takes 2 years to complete the curriculum.
The school requires 60 credits to graduate, for $175 to $225 per credit hour.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredits JSCC’s program.
Eight: Dallas College
Dallas College has an online vet tech program targeting those who want the flexibility of online education with a love of animals.
The school structures the curriculum with virtual labs, online courses, and a firsthand clinical experience to ensure students receive a well-rounded learning experience.
Dallas College’s vet tech program is an associate degree, and the cost per credit ranges from $125 to $175.
The number of credits to graduate is 60, and the program is accredited by the AVMA.
Seven: Fort Valley State University
Also accredited by the AVMA is Fort Valley State University’s online vet tech program, which was developed for those looking to advance their careers within the field.
Although the program is open to those who want to enter veterinary medicine, the curriculum is focused on those already working in the industry in another capacity.
FVSU boasts an interactive online platform that allows students to engage in interactive discussions and virtual labs.
The program requires a clinical experience at an approved facility to graduate.
FVSU’s vet tech program results in a bachelor’s degree, which is a four-year commitment.
The cost per credit ranges from $225 to $300, and the required number of credits to graduate is 120.
Six: Mercy College
Mercy College also offers a four-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology.
Similar to the other programs, students learn academic theory through interactive assignments, online lectures, and message boards, then apply this knowledge within a clinical experience at an approved clinic.
The cost per credit ranges between $875 and $925, with 60 credits required for graduation.
The program is accredited by the AVMA.
Five: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
CSPU at Pomona boasts an AVMA-accredited two-year associate degree in veterinary technology.
The program utilizes a proprietary online platform that allows students to access virtual labs, assignments, message boards, and lectures from anywhere that has an internet connection.
Although the program does not require an externship, it is required for certification, so be prepared to find one at an approved facility in your area.
CSPU also offers a Concentration in Veterinary Technology for those in the Animal Health Science major.
The cost per credit is $375 to $425, and 180 credits are required to graduate.
Four: St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg College has an online vet tech program that was created to give students the flexibility of an online curriculum with the comprehensiveness of in-classroom lectures.
The program is comprised of virtual simulations, online courses, and a required clinical training.
This combination delivers an accessible and convenient pathway to a highly rewarding career.
Graduates of the AVMA-accredited program will earn an associate degree.
The cost per credit ranges from $125 to $175, with 60 credits required to graduate.
Three: Michigan State University
Rounding out the top three is Michigan State University, which offers a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology.
The curriculum targets those looking to advance their career within the field.
The Bachelor of Science designation will help graduates earn management positions later in their careers.
The program combines rigorous academics with practical hands-on training.
This AVMA-accredited program costs between $540 and $600 per credit with 120 credits required to graduate.
Two: Purdue University
As the second-best online vet tech program in the U.S., Purdue University continues to be a leading online school.
Coursework is delivered via clinical rotations at an approved vet hospital, interactive assignments, message boards, and online lectures that are available around the clock.
Students will gain a comprehensive education during their path to this bachelor’s degree.
The cost per credit is $475 to $525, with 120 credits required for graduation.
The program is AVMA-accredited, so students know they are getting the highest quality education and standards.
One: Blinn College
The number one vet tech online program in the U.S. is Blinn College.
Their associate degree program was designed for working professionals and busy students with other commitments who want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
The coursework is delivered via an online platform in the form of lectures, labs, message boards, and live instruction.
Students are required to complete a firsthand clinical experience at a local veterinary facility.
This AVMA-accredited program costs $225 to $300 per credit hour, with 60 credits required to walk across the stage.
What Courses Are in an Online Vet Technician Program?
Although specific courses vary by training program, the most common classes include:
Animal Handling and Behavior
Learners gain knowledge of animal behavior, stress management techniques, socialization, and communication.
Instructors emphasize animal behavior cues, anxiety and fear reduction techniques, and proper handling.
Animal Husbandry and Nursing
This lesson teaches basic nursing care, including environmental management, grooming, feeding, handling, and restraint.
Animal Physiology and Anatomy
Students in this course learn about the function and structure of major organ systems in different animal species.
Clinical Pathology
Clinical pathology covers urinalysis, cytology, hematology, diagnostic testing, and lab test and analysis interpretation.
Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic imaging covers the different types of imaging modalities within veterinary medicine.
These include ultrasonography, X-rays, and other techniques.
Surgical Anesthesia and Nursing
Surgical Anesthesia and Nursing comprises the main principles of surgical nursing, anesthesia administration, surgical instrument monitoring, aseptic techniques, and instrument handling.
Students also learn how to assist vets during procedures to ensure comfort and safety.
Veterinary Clinical Procedures
This course communicates the most common clinical procedures, such as emergency care techniques, surgical assistance, anesthesia monitoring, wound management, diagnostic testing, and physical examinations.
Veterinary Medical Terminology
Veterinary Medical Terminology is a critical class that teaches students the language used within veterinary medicine, such as terms related to procedures, treatments, diagnostics, physiology, and anatomy.
Veterinary Pharmacology
Veterinary Pharmacology teaches learners about the principles of pharmacology, administration routes, dosage calculations, drug classifications, and the effects of different drugs.
Veterinary Practice Management
This instruction comprises basic veterinary practice management, including professional ethics, inventory management, billing, scheduling, medical record-keeping, and client communication.
In addition to these foundational courses, students can also take specialization classes that will allow them to graduate with a speciality or sit for another certification exam.
The most common specializations are as follows:
- Analgesia and anesthesia – students in this specialization focus on administering anesthesia and monitoring patients during procedures.
- Behavior and training – those specializing in behavior and training work with animal behaviorists and veterinarians to modify animal behavior.
- Clinical pathology – these professionals focus on laboratory diagnostics and may work in research institutions, diagnostics labs, or veterinary clinics.
- Dental technology – this specialization focuses on dental cleanings, radiography, and oral examinations.
- Emergency and critical care – those specializing in emergency and critical care work in specialty hospitals or emergency clinics to provide immediate medical attention.
- Exotic animal medicine – this specialty teaches learners about caring for exotic species.
- Internal medicine – internal medicine specialists help vets diagnose and provide treatment for medical issues.
- Surgical nursing – this specialization teaches students how to assist in surgical settings.
Can You Earn an Online Vet Technician Certification Completely Online?
Although all theoretical coursework can be taken online with interactive labs, message boards, lectures, and available materials, programs cannot be completed without an in-person practical application of knowledge through an externship or work experience.
Earning a certificate requires hands-on experience before entering the field.
Given that animal care and medicine are so critical to the patient, students need to experience the exact situations that occur in an animal hospital or clinic.
Practical work prepares them for entry-level positions.
How Long Does it Take to Earn an Online Vet Technician Certification?
The typical commitment to earn an online vet technician certification is two years.
However, this duration varies based on several factors, including:
Educational Institution
Certain institutions have graduate requirements that may take longer than simply the learning curriculum.
The best vet tech institutions require a hands-on learning experience with a local veterinary medicine facility, which adds to the program completion time.
Program Type
There are four types of vet technician degrees that a student can earn: certificate, diploma, associate, and bachelor’s degrees.
A certificate typically takes six months to one year to complete.
A diploma requires a time commitment of 1-1.5 years.
An associate’s degree takes two years, and a bachelor’s degree takes four years.
Student Schedule
Most online vet tech programs are available as a self-paced or live instruction curriculum.
Self-paced coursework allows students to learn at a pace they set.
This is the best option for students with busy schedules or other commitments, and the course completion can fluctuate based on availability.
A live instruction format requires students to meet online at a specific time during the week.
This is best for those who need a more routine-based learning experience with a set number of classes each semester.
Structure
Those taking part-time classes will finish significantly later than those enrolled in a full-time program.
This program structure will vary depending on the student and their requirements.
How Much Does an Online Vet Technician Certification Cost?
The average cost of a vet tech program varies considerably depending on the institution and program type.
An associate degree is the most common educational pathway, which costs between $1,300 and $12,000 for in-state tuition.
Those from out of state can expect to pay between $8,000 and $30,000 for the same coursework.
Although a bachelor’s degree is less common, plenty of vet techs pursue them for future management positions.
These can range from $67,000 to $86,000.
State schools and other public institutions tend to have lower tuition costs compared to their private school counterparts.
Also, programs in higher-cost-of-living areas are likely to have higher tuition costs.
When creating a budget, make sure to factor in books, lab fees, equipment, instruments, and other items so you aren’t surprised later.
While these financial figures can seem staggering, and they are, there are plenty of resources available to assist.
Accredited programs, which all the top schools are, have financial aid packages available to students if they qualify.
Also, students can earn scholarships and grants, which will help reduce tuition costs.
For those enrolled in a non-accredited program, grants and scholarships are still available, and students can apply for low-interest-rate loans.
Summary
With more pets being adopted than ever, veterinary technicians are in great demand to assist veterinarians with animal care.
While there are many online training programs, vet techs cannot become certified without in-person, hands-on training.
Budding vet techs can expect a two-year time commitment to earn an associate’s degree with a typical cost of around $8,000.
Students will learn the basics of veterinary medicine, including anesthesia, diagnostic imaging, medical terminology, surgical procedures, pharmacology, and animal handling.
