Blue Ridge Community College, located in Weyers Cave, Virginia, offers a two-year associate degree in animal science that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The on-campus program is designed for full-time students and requires a 400-hour clinical experience during the summer. Students must complete prerequisite courses in biology and algebra in addition to obtaining CPR certification. Candidates for the veterinary technology program will need to observe in an animal hospital for at least 16 hours and obtain a letter of recommendation from a licensed veterinary technician or veterinarian. Full-time students should complete the program in two years, including the summer session externship, according to the program's website.
Blue Ridge Community College
Box 80
One College Lane
Weyers Cave, VA 24486
888-750-2722
brcc.edu
The AVMA has also accredited Blue Ridge Community College's distance veterinary technology program. Although degree requirements are the same, there are differences in the admissions process and delivery of the distance program in comparison to the main campus program in Weyers Cave. Students pursuing the distance plan in veterinary technology typically complete the program in three years over the course of eight semesters including two summer sessions. In addition to meeting the admissions requirements for the main campus program, distance students are also required to participate in an interview and work in a veterinary practice for 20 hours a week. According to the program's website, courses are delivered through the VCCS Compressed Video Network at other schools including John Tyler Community College, Thomas Nelson Community College, Tidewater Community College and Virginia Western Community College.
The two-year associate degree program in veterinary technology offered at Northern Virginia Community College is located on the Loudoun Campus in Sterling, Virginia. The AVMA-accredited program prepares students for state licensure as a veterinary technician. Candidates for admission must compose a letter detailing their experience and interest in the field of veterinary technology, submit two letters of recommendation and provide documentation of 16 hours of veterinary observation if they have no related work experience. Admitted students must also complete a veterinary internship during the summer between their first and second years of study, according to the program's curriculum requirements.
Northern Virginia Community College
4001 Wakefield Chapel Road
Annandale, VA 22003
703-323-3000
nvcc.edu
Northern Virginia Community College began offering an accredited online program in veterinary technology in 2002. Only those candidates who are already employed at a licensed veterinary practice for at least 20 hours a week are eligible to enroll in the online program according to the school's website. Although coursework is completed in an online environment, students have to report to the Loudoun Campus to complete clinical activities and examinations. According to the program website, two to three veterinary technology courses are offered each semester and it typically takes three years for students to complete the program requirements.