Careers for Animal Lovers Careers for Animal Lovers January 2014 | Page 9

5 Questions
You Should Be
Asking
When Considering

Veterinary Technician
Training Options
AMVA ACCREDITED ASSOCIATES DEGREE
ONLINE PROGRAMS
Fall 2013 Per Credit
Hour Tuition Cost of
the seven AVMA
Accredited Distance
Learning Programs in
the US.

1. How much does the program cost?
There are 217 American Veterinary Medical Association
accredited Veterinary Technician degree programs in the
United States, 22 of which offer Bachelor’s degrees and only
seven are currently offered online. The online programs
range from $6,083 to $24,349.50 in tuition costs for the fall
of 2013.

2. How long will the program take to
complete?
Associate degree programs often range 2-3 years in length
and require part-time employment. These programs usually
only admit students 2-3 times a year during the beginning of
new semesters.

3. What do I need to do to apply?
Most degree programs have similar admission requirements
which include the following: a high school diploma or
equivalent or official transcripts, several credit hours of
college math and science or successful completion of high
school algebra and biology with a laboratory, application
forms, observation in a veterinary hospital, admission essay
and letter of reference from a veterinarian or veterinary
technician.

4. What is the goal of my education?
Veterinary technicians are focused on the nursing aspects of
veterinary medicine. Be sure to outline your goals, and
check the status of transferring credits to the schools you
are interested in after you receive your degree, to avoid
taking time consuming and expensive detours.

5. Does this career allow me to afford the
lifestyle I would like?
Veterinarian Technicians can have very rewarding jobs and
there are great outlooks for the industry, but there can also
be long hours and emotionally draining situations. Be sure to
research the pros and cons of the industry and find people
working within the field to discuss your interest and decide if
the demands of the job fit with your goals for the future.

Program costs, length, and application requirements from the individual websites for the seven AVMA Accredited Distance Learning Programs.
Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.