The unwavering love for pets is transforming into a booming demand for skilled veterinary care. If you’re passionate about animals and seeking a fulfilling career, now is the perfect moment to pursue a credentialed veterinary technician role through an online program.
App State’s online Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology offers a robust pathway to turn your animal affinity into a profession. Developed in collaboration with Banfield Pet Hospital®, a leading name in preventive veterinary care and part of the Mars Veterinary Health network, this program is crafted to benefit aspiring and current veterinary professionals, animals, and the entire animal health industry.
Designed with your busy life in mind, this flexible online program equips you with the expertise to effectively assist veterinarians. You’ll be fully prepared for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and step into a thriving job market where your skills are crucial in ensuring animals receive the vital care they deserve.
Throughout your online veterinary technician coursework, you’ll gain invaluable hands-on experience with animals through essential clinical practice. Upon graduating, you’ll be well-positioned to make a significant impact in your community, caring for beloved pets and contributing to the future of veterinary medicine.
Comprehensive Online Veterinary Technician Curriculum
Our fully online veterinary technician program features a comprehensive curriculum that covers core veterinary technology subjects. It also allows you to specialize your studies in key areas such as veterinary practice management or public health, tailoring your education to match your career aspirations.
The core curriculum meets and exceeds American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) standards, providing over 70 credit hours in essential veterinary technician topics, including:
- Foundational Sciences: 23 credit hours in subjects critical to veterinary technology.
- Specialized Veterinary Domains: Approximately 50 credit hours focused on specific veterinary practice areas.
- Clinical Expertise: 400 hours of practical experience gained through clinical placements in real-world settings.
Our online vet tech courses cover a wide range of essential topics:
- Introduction to Veterinary Nursing: Learn the fundamentals of animal care and veterinary nursing practices.
- Principles of Veterinary Pharmacology: Understand how drugs affect animal bodies and their therapeutic uses.
- Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia: Master the techniques for safe and effective animal anesthesia and pain management.
- Professional Communication Skills in Veterinary Medicine: Develop crucial communication skills for effective interaction in veterinary settings.
To further specialize your expertise, you can choose one of three focused study areas:
- Companion Animal: Focus on the care and treatment of pets and domestic animals.
- Practice Management: Learn the business and administrative skills needed to run a successful veterinary practice.
- One Health: Explore the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health.
In addition to specialized veterinary skills, our program includes a well-rounded general education component. This ensures you develop broader skills that enhance your professional capabilities and critical thinking.
For details on general education prerequisites, please review the general education requirements, which must be completed before starting your clinical practicum. These general education courses can be taken online or on-campus at our Boone or Hickory locations.
Explore the complete B.S. in Veterinary Technology online curriculum, including detailed course descriptions, to fully understand the scope of your studies.
Hands-On Clinical Experience in Veterinary Settings
A cornerstone of our veterinary technician online program is the required clinical experience. Under the direct supervision of seasoned veterinary professionals, you’ll apply the knowledge and skills you’ve gained from your online courses in real clinical environments. These placements occur at veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and other animal health facilities, providing diverse and comprehensive practical training.
Clinical experiences are essential for gaining real-world competencies in animal care and honing interpersonal and management skills before you take your certification exams. During your clinical hours, you will be actively involved in performing key veterinary tasks and mastering essential skills, such as:
- Examination and Surgical Assistance: Participating in animal examinations, preparing surgical sites, and assisting in surgical procedures.
- Pharmacy and Pharmacology: Managing and dispensing medications, understanding drug calculations and administration.
- Laboratory Procedures: Conducting diagnostic laboratory tests, analyzing samples, and interpreting results.
- Radiology and Ultrasound Imaging: Operating imaging equipment to produce radiographs and ultrasound images for diagnostic purposes.
Admission Requirements for Aspiring Vet Techs
App State’s online veterinary technician program welcomes both students who are just starting their college journey and transfer students from other institutions or existing vet tech programs. We have streamlined our admissions process to be as accessible as possible. Detailed information about application requirements is readily available on our admissions page. We encourage all interested students to apply and begin their journey toward a rewarding career in animal health care.
Excellent Career Prospects for Veterinary Technicians
The demand for credentialed veterinary technicians and technologists is exceptionally high. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a remarkable 21% growth in veterinary technician positions over the next decade – significantly outpacing the average growth rate for all occupations.
This robust job market is further underscored by a recent study from Banfield Pet Hospital®, which estimates that by 2030, approximately 75 million pets in the U.S. may lack access to necessary veterinary services. This gap highlights the critical and growing need for qualified veterinary technicians.
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology demonstrates to employers your comprehensive expertise in both clinical practice and foundational veterinary knowledge. This degree prepares you for advanced roles and leadership opportunities in veterinary clinics, animal health organizations, public health sectors, and beyond. Graduates of our online animal health care technician program are well-prepared to advance their careers and take on greater responsibilities within the field.
Your Pathway to Veterinary Technician Certification and Licensure
Appalachian State University’s programs that lead to professional licensure or certification are specifically designed to prepare graduates for certification in North Carolina and are aligned with national standards. For those considering practicing outside of North Carolina, we provide resources to help you understand the specific licensure requirements in other states. Please visit our Professional Licensure webpage for detailed information on state-specific requirements and to ensure you meet all necessary criteria for practice in your chosen location.
Discover More About Our Online Vet Tech Program
If you are looking for a flexible, fully online veterinary technology degree that leads to professional certification and opens doors to advanced career opportunities in veterinary practice management, animal research, or public health, we invite you to learn more. Join our App State Online Information Session to have all your questions answered.
Apply to Shape the Future of Animal Care
Our online vet tech degree program is expertly designed to train the next generation of veterinary professionals through rigorous academic instruction and essential hands-on clinical experiences. If you have a passion for animal welfare and a drive to make a difference, taking the next step is clear.
You are meant to care for animals. Start your application to our online B.S. in Veterinary Technology applying today.
