America’s Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an uptick in the need for highly skilled animal science and veterinary technology professionals within the next few years.
If you’re thinking about entering the field or if you’re already in the field and considering up-leveling your credentials by earning a Veterinary Practice Management degree or certificate, this guide is for you!
Use our comprehensive guide to the best vet office manager schools to get details on campus-based and online training programs that lead to a diploma, degree, or certification as a vet office manager.
Our guide provides a comprehensive overview of ten of the best veterinary practice management training programs across the US.
This comprehensive guide provides details on accredited campus-based and web-based programs that follow the certification requirements set forth by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association.
What Is a Veterinary Office Manager?
A Veterinary Office Manager is a leadership role in the management of animal hospitals, clinics, and surgery centers.
They are experts in animal science and have earned a diploma, degree, certificate, or certification which demonstrates their competency in the field.
Today’s VPMs are an integral part of vet clinics and hospitals as they are tasked with the management of day-to-day operations for practice management.
VPMs are responsible for all administrative tasks related to operating a veterinary practice, which can include hiring and firing of employees, hands-on care for animals, budgeting, payroll, office management, and being on call for animal-related emergencies.
Following is a comprehensive overview of a handful of the best US-based Veterinary Office Manager Schools.
Best Vet Office Manager Schools
The best vet office manager schools feature a collection of web-based and on-campus options that put graduates on track for earning the coveted Certified Veterinary Practice Manager Certification CVPM administered by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association.
The programs below meet VHMA standards and ready participants for the next level of office administration, human resource management, financial management, and practice management.
| 1 | San Diego State University5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182, USA |
About the SchoolThe Global Campus of San Diego State University provides potential vet practice managers with a self-paced online route to obtaining veterinary training and education. Their web-based program features a comprehensive curriculum comprised of over four hundred hours of training related to animal science, veterinary procedures, office management processes, and business management processes for human resources and accounting. SDSU allows enrolled students up to eighteen months to complete their online training and awards successful candidates with a certificate of completion which makes them eligible to sit for national certification. Program Type: Online Courses Offered
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| 2 | Great Bay Community College320 Corporate Dr Room SW113, Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA |
About the SchoolThe Veterinary Practice Management certificate program at Great Bay Community College presents an opportunity for entry-level and practicing veterinary technology specialists, veterinary assistants, and veterinary practice managers to expand their knowledge as they prepare for national certification and to work in leadership roles for managing US-based vet practices, clinics, and hospitals. Veterinary Practice Management also offers a Veterinary Technology Program for students who want to pursue careers related to animal science. Program Type: On-Campus Courses Offered
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| 3 | University of South Carolina800 University Way, Spartanburg, South Carolina - 29903 |
About the SchoolUSC gives students a non-clinical perspective on veterinary practice management, which includes training on front and back-office administration, accounting and payroll management, human resources management, and Quickbooks. Students study related concepts in veterinary anatomy and physiology, veterinary surgery, dental procedures, and the daily duties of the vet hospital manager. The training program administered by USC provides prospective VPMs with insights on all aspects of managing an animal hospital including veterinary assistant basics and skills for employee and payroll management. Program Type: Online, On-Campus Courses Offered
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| 4 | Penn Foster200 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA 18505 USA |
About the SchoolUS-based students seeking convenient online and self-paced options for getting their VPM education can enroll with Penn Foster online. Their online VPM certificate program meets the education and training standards set forth by the VHMA. It readies students for certification and working independently in the field. Penn Foster allows enrolled students twelve to fourteen months to complete their online training and earn their certificate. Program Type: Online Courses Offered
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| 5 | Eastern Florida State College1519 Clearlake Rd, Cocoa, FL 32922, United States |
About the SchoolAnimal medicine professionals can earn an Advanced Technical Certificate in Veterinary Management through Eastern Florida State College’s web-based VPM certificate program. Their nineteen-credit hour program is a supplementary program that trains VHMA degree and certification holders on the next level of practice management as they progress in their careers. Students learn about critical business management skills for US-based veterinary hospitals and clinics. EFSC’s certificate is available as a stand-alone certificate or as a component of their Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology program. Program Type: Online Courses Offered
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| 6 | Murray State University1375 Chestnut St, Murray, KY 42071, United States |
About the SchoolThe Agriculture Science department at Murray State University offers a master’s degree level program for Veterinary Practice Management via the Hudson School of Agriculture. Their thirty-credit hour Master of Science degree program is a web-based program that incorporates a concentration in Veterinary Hospital Management. Associates and Bachelor’s level students can cement their knowledge of Veterinary Hospital Management in this self-paced online degree program that helps them expand their understanding of the business and administrative practices needed to achieve success in the field. Courses Offered
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| 7 | Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine1130 Wire Rd, Auburn, AL 36849 |
About the SchoolThe continuing education team at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine gives industry professionals an immersive view of Veterinary Practice Management. Their hands-on program is specifically designed for recent vet tech graduates who hold an Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology or a related discipline to provide them with first-hand insights into managing a local veterinary practice. Program participants spend up to three weeks shadowing working VPMs as they carry out their daily tasks and gain invaluable insights into what managing a practice looks like. Veterinary Practice Management rotation is a component of AUCVM’s continuing education for practitioners. Courses Offered
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| 8 | Manor College700 Fox Chase Rd, Jenkintown, PA 19046, USA |
About the SchoolProspective Veterinary Practice Managers seeking to earn a four-year degree can take courses at Manor College in Jenkintown PA. Candidates who complete the recommended program sequence are awarded a Bachelor of Business Administration in Veterinary Practice Management which demonstrates their knowledge and competency to peers and readies applicants to complete national certification through the VHMA. Program participants learn invaluable skills including qualitative reasoning, diversity and global awareness, critical thinking, and laboratory animal management. The Vet Tech program offered by Manor College is an accredited program that feeds into related degrees that they offer for business administration and veterinary technology. Courses Offered
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| 9 | St. Petersburg College6605 5th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710, United States |
About the SchoolSt. Petersburg College in Florida offers local area students two options for getting a Veterinary Practice Management Certificate. They offer a campus-based and online certificate program as a component of their Veterinary Technology training that leads to an AAS or BAS degree. Their program is comprised of eight courses that teach students how to implement tools and strategies for practice management while readying students to complete VHMA certification. SPC trains attendees on the concepts of practice management, personnel management, accounting for vet practice managers, marketing, and legal planning. Courses Offered
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| 10 | San Juan College4601 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402, United States |
About the SchoolNew Mexico area students seeking to learn the core skills needed to seamlessly manage a veterinary practice can enroll at San Juan College. SJC offers a thirty-four credit hour Veterinary Practice Management certificate program that follows the VHMA certification track. Students enrolled in this program get an introduction to the business, customer service, and management skills needed to manage a local practice. This program delves into critical industry topics for business management, business law, employee supervision, and communications skills. SJC’s program also includes education on marketing principles to help certified practice managers get the word out to the public about their clinics. Courses Offered
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Salary
Incoming Veterinary Practice Managers in the US make well-paying salaries that can reach as high as $100,000.00 per year.
Online salary reports from salary data experts at Zip Recruiter show that vet practice administrators make the highest paying salaries in the states of Washington and New York with average annual salaries that fall between $88,000.00 and $99,000.00 per year.
VPMs in Florida report the lowest annual earnings for professional animal office administrators at just over $60,000.00 per year.
Aspiring VPMs should note that factors like education, training, certification, and length of time on the job are all factors that can influence how much you make each year.