Veterinary Technology
(Online)

Students considering a distance education veterinary technology program often prioritize programmatic accreditation, eligibility for national credentialing exams, structured clinical requirements, and regulatory compliance, while completing academic coursework online.

The Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program offers:

• An Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
• Distance Education delivery, with academic coursework completed online
• Required supervised clinical externship experience completed in approved veterinary practice settings
• Programmatic accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• Institutional accreditation by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
• Approval to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
• Academic and clinical preparation aligned with eligibility requirements for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), subject to applicable requirements

Student support services throughout enrollment, including academic advising, financial aid guidance, and Career Services
Platt College programs are educational in nature. Completion of the program does not guarantee certification, licensure, or employment.

The Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program provides instruction in animal nursing care, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, and veterinary clinical practices, with didactic coursework delivered through distance education.

Instruction includes:

• Veterinary medical terminology and clinical calculations
• Small and large animal anatomy and physiology
• Nursing care concepts for companion animals, livestock, equine, exotic, and laboratory animals (as covered in the curriculum)
• Clinical pathology concepts, including laboratory procedures and interpretation
• Veterinary pharmacology and medication-related calculations (as taught within coursework)
• Diagnostic imaging principles and safety
• Anesthesia and surgical nursing concepts
• Animal nutrition and preventative healthcare concepts
• Veterinary hospital procedures, client communication, and professional practice topics

Students complete required clinical externships in approved veterinary settings to demonstrate competency in real-world practice environments.

The full-time Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program is designed to be completed in:

• Approximately 19 months

For full-time enrollment, the Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program consists of:

• 1,681 clock hours
• 115 quarter credits

Upon successful completion of the Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program all academic, attendance, clinical, and financial requirements, graduates are awarded an:

• Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology

The Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program is offered through Distance Education.

Academic coursework is completed online, with required clinical externships completed at approved veterinary facilities.

The Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program is delivered via Distance Education, meaning:

• Didactic coursework is completed online
• Courses follow a structured academic schedule
• Required clinical externships are completed in approved veterinary practice settings

Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program coursework follows a structured term schedule.

Externship scheduling depends on approved clinical site availability and is coordinated during enrollment and program progression.

Yes. Clinical education is a required component of the Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program.

Students complete:

• Three supervised clinical externships completed at approved veterinary practices and animal care facilities

Externships allow students to apply distance education coursework in real veterinary settings under appropriate supervision.

The Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program provides education applicable to entry-level veterinary technician roles, subject to credentialing and employer requirements.

Employment outcomes vary based on individual qualifications and applicable credentialing/licensure requirements.

The Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program may be a good fit for individuals who:

• Want an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology associate degree
• Prefer completing academic coursework online
• Are able to complete required supervised clinical externships
• Are prepared for a structured distance education program with defined academic and clinical requirements

Prospective students are encouraged to speak with Admissions and review required disclosures prior to enrollment.

In addition to general admissions requirements, Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program applicants must complete program-specific enrollment steps, which may include:

• Proof of high school graduation, GED, or equivalent
• Submission of official transcripts
• Completion of required entrance evaluation(s), if applicable
• Completing a personal admissions interview and tour of the campus
• Meeting applicable health, background, and clinical participation requirements required for externship placement

All requirements are reviewed and verified prior to enrollment.

Transfer credit for applicable coursework may be considered, subject to transcript evaluation and academic approval during enrollment.

Because this program includes structured sequencing and required clinical externships, core veterinary technology coursework typically follows the established program sequence.

The Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program costs may include:

• Tuition
• Books and supplies

The most current cost information can be found in the Catalog Addendum and will also be reviewed during the enrollment process.

Financial aid is available to qualified students for the Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program. Eligibility and available funding options are reviewed during the financial aid portion of the enrollment process.

Yes. The Veterinary Technology Associate Degree – Distance Education Program is programmatically accredited by AVMA.

Platt College also maintains:

• Institutional accreditation by ACCSC
• Approval to operate by BPPE

Graduation from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program is commonly used to meet educational eligibility for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), subject to the exam administrator’s current requirements.

Program completion does not guarantee exam eligibility, passing results, certification, licensure, or employment.

Licensure and certification requirements vary by state and are governed by the applicable regulatory authority. Program completion and exam outcomes do not automatically confer licensure or certification.

Academic coursework is completed online through Distance Education.

However, required clinical externships must be completed in approved veterinary practice settings and are not completed online.

The Distance Education program delivers academic coursework online, with clinical externships completed at approved sites.

The Hybrid program includes a predetermined mix of online and on-ground coursework delivered through campus-based instruction.

Yes. Clinical externships are a required component of the program and must be completed under supervision at approved veterinary facilities.

The enrollment process includes:

• Requesting information and speaking with Admissions
• Completing a personal admissions interview and tour of the campus
• Submitting required documentation and transcripts
• Completing any required entrance evaluations
• Reviewing required institutional disclosures
• Completing enrollment paperwork
• Beginning the program in the next available cohort