A veterinary technician student examining a rabbit

Veterinary Technician

Associate Degree

65 Credits | 2 Years

Financial Aid-Eligible

New Richmond

Career Cluster: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Combine your love for animals and your passion for science with your career by becoming a veterinary technician. Veterinary technicians, under the supervision of a veterinarian, provide a variety of services that supports the veterinarian. Veterinary technicians are an integral part of the veterinary team, and each day at work provides new and exciting challenges. 

Program Overview

Veterinary Technician graduates will be prepared to obtain patient history and perform the initial physical exam, place intravenous catheters and give injectable medications, anesthetize and monitor patients, and assist in surgery. Graduates will also be trained to perform dental cleanings on dogs and cats and can handle care for lab animals. Additionally, graduates will be qualified to apply bandages and splints, as well as evaluate lab samples under a microscope.

Program Outcomes

Veterinary Technician graduates will be able to:

  • Manage veterinary business functions
  • Integrate all aspects of patient management for anesthetic, surgical, and medical nursing procedures
  • Produce diagnostic radiographic images
  • Perform laboratory procedures
  • Administer prescribed drugs
A veterinary technician student examining a cow

Veterinary Technicians work in a variety of settings including clinics and hospitals, humane societies, zoos and wildlife parks and more. 

Veterinary technician students clipping a rabbit's toenails

In-demand career.

Students hands-on surgery setting

Hands-on courses.

Veterinary technician students clipping a rabbit's toenails

Experience with multiple species. 


Academics

Veterinary Technician is a two-year associate degree program offered at the New Richmond campus. 

Employment

There is a strong demand for veterinary technicians in traditional clinical settings, veterinary sales, and research. 

Clinical Experience

You'll get hands-on experience applying your knowledge in a clinical setting. You'll work alongside veterinarians and other veterinary technicians in the field to get real-world exposure to the challenges faced day-to-day. 

Experienced Instructors

As a Veterinary Technician student at Northwood Tech, you all have access to instructors who have many years of experience in the field.


Required Courses

Program-specific courses covered include Veterinary Pharmacology, Surgical Procedures for Vet Sciences, Anesthesia and Dentistry for Veterinary Sciences, and more. 

Explore the Required Courses

Featured Veterinary Technician Courses

10091100
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
In this course, students explore basic nutrition, housing needs, and behavior of common domestic animals to develop skills that enable them to assess animal condition. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to obtain a thorough history, perform a physical exam, administer medications, collect samples, and use proper restraint techniques. PREREQUISITE: Admission to Veterinary Technician plan and COREQUISITE: 10806105 Principles of Animal Biology.
10091106
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
In this course, students explore the veterinary technician’s role in surgery to develop skills needed to manage veterinary patients in the pre-, intra-, and post-operative phases. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to anticipate needs of the surgeon, provide veterinary surgical assistance, manage wounds and incisions, and perform dental prophylaxis in dogs and cats. PREREQUISITES: 10091108 Veterinary Pharmacology and COREQUISITE: 10091113 Anesthesia for Veterinary Sciences.

Veterinary Technician is Part of a Career Pathway

As a Veterinary Technician student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way! 

 

This technical diploma is embedded in the Veterinary Technician program.

Veterinary Assistant

Technical Diploma
32 Credits / 1 Year Full Time
Potential Careers
Veterinary Assistant
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This is the program you're looking at.

Associate Degree
65 Credits / 2 Years Full Time
Potential Careers
Veterinary Technician, Laboratory Animal Technician
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Continue your education to earn a bachelor's degree.

Admissions and Tuition

Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.

Requirements and Application

Tuition and Fees

Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost. 

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships.  

Learn More About Paying for College

Estimated Total Program Costs 2023-24*

Veterinary Technician

65 Credits | 2 Years

$11,390


*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented. 


After the Northwood Tech Veterinary Technician Program

Upon completion of the program, you will earn a Veterinary Assistant technical diploma and a Veterinary Technician associate degree.

Student studying at a computer

Transfer Center

Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond. 

View Transfer Center

 

Career Outlooks

Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.

View Career Options

Student studying at a laptop

The Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities accreditation logo

Accreditation

Veterinary Technician programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association - Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA-CVTEA) at 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360, phone: 800.248.2862. Graduates of AVMA-CVTEA accredited programs are eligible to take the Veterinary Technical National Exam (VTNE) and the Wisconsin state exam directly with the American Associate of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) at AAVSB.org upon graduation. The Committee on Veterinary Technical Education and Activities (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has granted Initial Accreditation to Northwood Tech’s Veterinary Technology Program, effective February 4, 2021.  All students will be eligible to take the VTNE and Wisconsin state exam upon graduation. After successful completion of the exams, the individual will be a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT).


Professional Licensure and/or Certification Information

Northwood Tech's Veterinary Technician Associate Degree is designed to meet the State of Wisconsin's licensing criteria. However, Northwood Tech has not made a determination whether this program meets licensure requirements in states other than Wisconsin. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states other than Wisconsin should contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to verify that the Northwood Tech program meets licensure or certification requirements.

The three-year pass rate (based on a July 1 to June 30 reporting year) on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) includes current results from December 30, 2020 to December 31, 2023.

# first time candidates taking VTNE54
Three-year pass rate92.59%

 

Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

Contact

Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Jodi Saliny

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8119

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

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Are you ready to experience success? Northwood Tech staff are standing by to support you in reaching your educational and career goals, so do it. Take the leap.