Online Vet Tech Programs

You want to educate yourself more.

So you spend hours searching the web for the most suitable program.

Fortunately, schools offer students the flexibility of online learning with hands-on training.

And on this page, we give you all the information you need about accredited online vet tech programs.

We hope you’ll find this useful, saving you time and effort searching online.

Earning Your Vet Tech Degree Online

Many schools offer programs that will help set you off your vet tech journey with confidence.

Below are two of the best schools you may consider enrolling in.

We chose them because they provide the following services and benefits to students:

• Academic excellence
• Student support
• Affordability
• Online learning

San Juan College

They have a Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program, allowing you to earn an A.A.S. degree.

Here you’ll learn the needed fundamental knowledge and skills to be a professional vet tech.

What’s more, you’ll qualify for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) in any state after graduation.

The program consists of:

• Online coursework
• Laboratory
• Internship at an approved vet practice site

You can also opt to study part-time if you can’t commit to the two-year full-time study.

Cedar Valley College

This college also offers an A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology.

Throughout the program, you’ll be prepared to perform key vet tech duties.

You will undergo:

• General education courses
• Major-specific vet classes
• Laboratory work

Although it’s online, you’re still required to complete clinical practice on-site.

Usually, you’ll intern under the guidance of a clinical professional.

Further, upon graduation, you’ll be eligible for the Texas Veterinary Medical Association Exam.

Passing this exam will enable you to be a Registered Veterinary Technician.

Online Vet Tech Degree Options

Many people wonder how it’s possible to finish the courses online when hands-on experience is necessary.

After all, one must know how to:

• Perform basic lab tests
• Administer medicines
• Restrain animals safely

These and other skills certainly can’t be learned online.

But you shouldn’t worry about that.

All accredited online programs include in-person requirements.

Generally, distance learning falls into two categories.

Mostly Online

These are the programs that offer maximum flexibility

They’re offered either in an accelerated format or part-time.

Here, education is given through:

• Online textbooks
• Multimedia presentations
• Discussion boards

This allows you to team up with your fellow students and faculty digitally.

As for the clinical requirements, you’ll have to complete them at a vet clinic off-campus.

Meanwhile, lab work inside the campus may be limited per semester.

Partially Online

These programs have the same distance learning offerings, but with one requirement.

You have to be on campus to finish the clinical requirements.

This actually makes them less flexible than the other category.

But there’s one good thing about these programs.

You’re not required to work or volunteer at a vet clinic to earn your degree.

That’s because these are designed for individuals who can only be on campus for a few hours each week.

All other coursework can be completed online.

Flexibility on Your Hours

The difference between online and on-campus programs is the flexibility they offer.

Online programs offer more control over how and when students gain clinical experience.

For instance, you’ll work at an approved vet clinic for a minimum number of hours on a schedule convenient for you.

Moreover, you won’t have to sacrifice your full-time job in the process.

You can study at night or on weekends if you prefer.

Vet Tech Degree Programs

Now, how long does it take to be a vet tech?

Well, that depends on the program you’re pursuing.

In vet tech schools, you can choose between two options:

• Two-year associate degree
• Four-year bachelor’s degree

Associate Degree

An associate degree covers all the fundamentals needed to work in private practice.

Some of the things you’ll learn are:

• Animal care
• Pharmacology
• Surgical procedures
• Dentistry

Note that you can only be admitted when you’ve completed some pre-requisite classes.

You may accomplish that by enrolling in a non-major program in your chosen school.

Once completed, you can then apply for that vet tech program.

You can consider an associate degree if you want to start a career quickly.

Bachelor’s Degree

You can consider getting a bachelor’s degree if you dream to become a vet or vet technologist.

To get admitted, you may have to earn an associate degree first.

With this four-year degree, you’ll acquire an advanced education in animal care.

This means that you will:

• Achieve skills required to work in private practices
• Be equipped to work in research facilities

Upon graduation, you may work as a:

• Veterinary clinic administrator
• Pharmaceutical sales representative
• Instructor

Online Classes and On-Site Clinical Practice

Individual classes vary, but they cover the same fundamental topics.

These equip you with knowledge and skills you can use in your clinical practice.

Some classes you have to take are:

Animal Anatomy

The class teaches you about the animal’s body systems, such as:

• Skeletal
• Circulatory
• Respiratory
• Urinary

Here you’ll be able to:

• Identify tissues and organs
• Understand the interrelationship between systems

Animal Diseases

You’ll learn about diseases common in animals and their immune responses.

By the end of the course, you can:

• Identify animal diseases
• Know their proper treatments
• Give preventive measures

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Veterinary care heavily relies on drugs to fight against illnesses and maintain the animals’ good health.

That’s why you must know its proper administration and its side effects.

You must be able to:

• Recognize drug classifications
• Calculate proper dosages
• Understand the potential danger

Animal Behavior

In this career, you’ll be working with all kinds of animals.

So you have to understand how they behave and the appropriate handling techniques.

In this way, you’ll be able to identify their stress responses to certain situations.

Veterinary Office Procedures

Vet techs are often found in the examination room, but they also:

• Take notes
• Input patient records
• Respond to client concerns
• Maintain patient confidentiality
• Comply with government requirements

Those are the classes you need to learn in your vet tech journey.

Now, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice.

Here are three lab classes you may take:

Anatomy Lab

This goes hand-in-hand with your anatomy class.

This hands-on class may include dissection and necropsy procedures.

Emergency and First Aid

Here you’ll learn how to respond to emergencies and administer appropriate first aid treatments.

It will cover lessons such as cardiac arrest, shock, poisonings, and trauma.

Clinical Procedures

You will be taught the basic lab techniques and diagnostic methods.

You may have to do this at an approved vet clinic.

Some of the lessons you’ll learn are:

• Hematology
• Organ function tests
• Post mortem examinations

How Much Does It Cost?

Many students’ primary concern is the tuition for enrolling in these programs.

The great thing about online programs is that they are offered mostly by community colleges.

The table below shows the tuition and other fees of schools on average annually.

This price range depends mainly on two things:

• Status of your residency
• If the school is private or public

These programs are indeed expensive.

But there are many options for financial aid available if you qualify for them.

Getting Your Professional Vet Tech Certification

Getting a degree is only the beginning.

After finishing school, you need to be licensed in your state to be able to work.

Almost all states use the VTNE as a licensing prerequisite.

VTNE’s a computer-based exam and it takes approximately three hours to finish.

To apply, you must:

• Submit a copy of the official transcript
• Pay the fee, $325

Once you have your application accepted, then you can go to a local testing center and have your exam scheduled.

Your official VTNE score will be released at once at the exam’s end.

You then need to send the VTNE report to the state veterinary licensing board.

Note that each state board has its criteria for licensing, but they do have common requirements.

For one, licensing is only available to accredited vet tech program graduates and VTNE passers.

Many states also conduct their own licensing exam.

If you’re interested to apply for the state exam, at a minimum you’re supposed to:

• Pay additional fee
• Submit a recommendation letter
• Go through a background check
• Meet other state licensing criteria

We suggest you check with your state’s board for specific requirements.

What Can I Do with a Vet Tech Degree?

You could not find a better period to start your education towards becoming a vet tech.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects look bright for this career.

It’s expected to grow 15%, with 131,500 jobs by the end of 2030.

The reason lies in the increasing demand of pet owners for animal healthcare.

You can consider working at these establishments in the future:

• Private clinics
• Animal hospitals
• Laboratories
• Colleges
• Humane societies

How Much Do Vet Techs Earn?

Per the BLS, a vet tech can earn an average annual pay of $36,260.

The lowest you can possibly earn is $25,520, and the highest is $52,410.

You can earn more than this, but it’ll depend on several factors.

• Skills and experience
• Place you work
• Education

For instance:

• Individuals with more experience or who work night shifts get paid more.
• Those who work in research facilities may earn more than those in private practices.

What Career Paths are Available for Vet Techs?

With the skills and knowledge you possess, you can choose to work in any of these specialized fields.

Critical Care

You’ll assist in the treatment of seriously ill or injured animals.

Dentistry

You’ll assist with their oral care.

Anesthesia

You’ll care for animals prior to, during, and after they receive the anesthesia.

Zoological

You can take positions at wildlife parks and zoos, caring for exotic animals.

Vet Tech Student Resources

There’s too much information online that you get confused about which one to follow.

We hope that these resources will help you in your search for information about this career.

• NAVTA
• Accredited Veterinary Technician Programs
• American Association of Veterinary State Boards
• WhereTechsConnect.com