Veterinary technician programs take two years to complete and often are available at both community colleges and universities. Students earn an associate of science in veterinary technology. In these programs, students take basic science, animal nursing and veterinary technology courses, according to Purdue University.
Veterinary technologist programs take four years to complete, and students earn a bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology. Students study advanced areas of veterinary technology as well as management and science, according to Purdue University.
Admissions for veterinary technician and veterinary technologist programs are similar since both are undergraduate degrees. Students submit high school transcripts, test scores (SAT or ACT), their application and often letters of recommendation from high school teachers or employers.
Associate degree students take courses like anatomy and physiology for veterinary technicians, clinical pathology for veterinary technicians and microbiology. Students earning a bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology take more advanced courses like large and small animal health management, occupational health and pharmacology. Although some courses are similar in both programs, the veterinary technology programs cover more challenging and detailed topics than the technician programs.
Vet tech programs at both the associate and bachelor’s degree levels also expose students to clinical experience to prepare them for their careers. For example, at Purdue University, students participate in clinical rotations where they care for and treat animal patients to gain valuable hands-on experience. Bachelor’s degree students also participate in an externship, where they gain practical training in the field.