Veterinary Technician
Associate Degree
65 Credits | 2 Years
Financial Aid-Eligible
New Richmond
Career Cluster: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
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Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
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 medical nursing procedures
- Demonstrate patient management for anesthetic, surgical, and dental nursing procedures
- Produce diagnostic images
- Perform laboratory procedures
- Administer prescribed and therapeutic medications
Technical Standards
In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program.
Veterinary Technicians work in a variety of settings including clinics and hospitals, humane societies, zoos and wildlife parks and more.
In-demand career.
Hands-on courses.
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.
Featured Veterinary Technician Courses
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
This is the program you're looking at.
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.
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
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.
Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*
Veterinary Technician
65 Credits | 2 Years
$11,648
*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.
Transfer Center
Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.
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 prepare students to meet the educational requirements for licensure to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The College has not determined and does not guarantee its required courses meet the requirements for preparation, examinations, or licensure in states/territories other than Wisconsin and Minnesota as documented on the licensure and certification disclosure webpage. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states other than Wisconsin or Minnesota should contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to verify that the Northwood Tech program meets licensure or certification requirements. To be eligible for testing and/or licensing in the state of Wisconsin or Minnesota, you may be required to obtain a social security number.
Out-of-State applicants sign a Professional Licensure Disclosure Form.
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 VTNE | 54 |
| Three-year pass rate | 92.59% |
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
