Veterinary Technician Assistant Certificate (VA11)
The Veterinary Technician Assistant technical certificate program provides educational opportunities to individuals that will enable them to obtain knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed in an entry-level position in veterinary assisting. Graduates are able to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in providing quality animal healthcare including obtaining and recording patient information, preparing patients, instruments and equipment for surgery; collecting samples and performing certain laboratory procedures; dressing wounds; assisting in diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures; exposing and developing diagnostic radiographs; communicating with animal owners; and feeding and caring for animals.
All students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to be vaccinated against Rabies. Proof of vaccination must be shown by the beginning of VETT 1000 – Veterinary Technology and VETT 1010 – Introduction to Veterinary Technology. The rabies vaccine protocol consists of three injections, one injection per day on day 0, day 7, and day 21 or 28. The vaccine can be obtained by a primary care physician, a participating county health department, and/or other vaccination clinic. The program faculty has a list of local rabies vaccine providers. Additional information can be found here
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Veterinary Technician Assistant certificate program are prepared to work with veterinarians in a variety of settings as Veterinary Assistants.
Admissions Criteria
The Natural Sciences/Mathematic courses must be successfully completed before beginning the VETT courses.
- Submit a completed application and application fee;
- Be at least 17 years of age and reach 18 before taking program courses utilizing radiology or anesthesia;
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- Completed 40 hours of volunteer service at a veterinary hospital (with documentation);
- Meet the following assessment requirements:
| Test |
Reading |
Writing |
Numerical |
Algebra |
| Accuplacer |
64 |
70 |
NA |
57 |
| Accuplacer (Next Gen) |
236 |
249 |
NA |
245 |
| Compass |
79 |
62 |
NA |
37 |
| SAT |
17 |
17 |
NA |
21 |
| SAT |
290 |
290 |
NA |
380 |
| ACT |
16 |
14 |
NA |
17 |
| ASSET |
42 |
41 |
39 |
42 |
| PSAT |
17 |
17 |
NA |
21 |
| GED |
NA |
145 |
NA |
145 |
Veterinary Technician Assistant Curriculum
The curriculum for the Veterinary Technician Assistant certificate program is designed for the semester system. A student may enter the program at any time to take general core courses, but the program occupational courses are taken in sequence and begin each summer semester. The Natural Sciences/Mathematics courses must be successfully completed before beginning the VETT courses. To earn the certificate, students must earn a minimum of 28 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 600 contact hours and generally takes 3 semesters to complete.
Program Courses
General Education Core (11 Credits)
Occupational Courses (17 Credits)
NOTE: “C” or higher grade is required for all the above courses.
Program Costs
Tuition ($100 per credit hour): $2,800
Fees ($370 per semester): $1,110
Books/Supplies: $900
Uniform Costs: Approximately $150
Liability Insurance: $10 per fiscal year
Physical Exam: $150*
Tetanus Vaccination: $40
Hepatitis B Series: $265
Rabies Vaccination Series: Approximately $900
Radiological Dosimeter Badges: $70
Course Supply Fees:
- VETT 1020 Veterinary Clinical Pathology I: $50
- VETT 1030 Veterinary Clinical Procedures I: $50
- VETT 1060 Animal Anatomy & Physiology: $50
- VETT 1070 Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging: $50
*Physical Exam (documenting adequate health including the ability to lift 50 pounds, to do prolonged standing, and to tolerate heat.), Tetanus, and Hepatitis B Series are required before entering Veterinary Technology program classes. (Costs are estimates and are subject to change.)