You can't earn an accredited veterinary degree online, but you can use distance education, veterinary continuing education and other web-based options to prepare for vet school or maintain professional licensure. There are also plenty of online vet classes available for anyone seeking a veterinary assistant or technician certification.
Avoid so-called "diploma mills" by thoroughly researching your options. Find trustworthy online veterinary education using reputable resources to:
1. Search for online veterinary degrees and courses using links provided by organizations that govern veterinary medicine in the USA.
2. Contact veterinary colleges for referrals to worthwhile online vet classes.
3. Use professional resources to plan a mix of distance and traditional education classes for professional continuing education.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Find online veterinary degree providers using licensing entities
Lots of companies offer an associates or bachelors online vet degree, but before you apply, make sure you find a program that is endorsed by your state's veterinary technician licensing body. Most veterinarians will not require technician certification before they hire you, but technicians will be hired before veterinary assistants at most large animal hospitals.
I recommend: The
American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges maintains links to all 28 accredited universities, some of which offer online vet classes for bachelor's degrees in pre-veterinary science. Search for your state's veterinary licensing body, and veterinary technician education program information, through the
American Association of Veterinary State Board website.
Search for animal science distance learning courses through online degree programs
Many Internet-based universities offer veterinary online courses and technician programs that confer credit, degrees and certifications that can translate into more money and respect in your chosen career. If you plan to attend vet school, though, request a common course-numbering guide or contact a veterinary school admissions counselor to make sure your online credits will transfer. Generally, laboratory science credits aren't available online for veterinary degrees.
I recommend: Search the databases maintained by the
Directory of Online Schools and find veterinary technology schools listed by state at
Veterinary Schools.com. Many traditional schools of veterinary technology offer distance learning options, but don't yet have full degree programs online.
Earn continuing veterinary education online
State-licensed veterinarians are required to average 14 hours annually in continuing education units, or CEUs. They now have plenty of online veterinary education options to free up more time for busy practices.
I recommend: The
University of Illinois offers online veterinary courses for licensed veterinarians nationwide. Find other continuing education opportunities through
WorldWideLearn.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Before you earn an online degree, veterinary certification or even a few credits from a program that's totally online, research options at local colleges and universities. Veterinarians want to hire qualified assistants and technicians, but they're looking for hands-on experience. If your only choice is an online vet degree, volunteer at local clinics and shelters as much as possible to get experience, references and, sometimes, a foot in the door should a position come open.
The official source of Veterinary Medicine Distance Education is
the Veterinary Medicine Distance Education page at Business.com
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