Penn Foster Vet Tech Program: Online Associate Degrees to Become a Veterinary Technician

Penn Foster Vet Tech Program: Online Associate Degrees to Become a Veterinary Technician
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Introduction to Penn Foster

Penn Foster College was originally established in 1890 by a man named Thomas J. Foster who believed in the theory of giving working adults a chance to further their studies in order to obtain promotions in their career fields. Of course, there were no computers back then, so online education was obsolete. Instead, these working people would go to their jobs and then come home and study from books privately through Penn Foster’s distance learning, correspondence type programs. This, however, was only the beginning of Penn Foster College, which now has a total enrollment of over 13 million throughout the various schools.

Penn Foster College is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Training Council, but regional accreditation status is unknown. Penn Foster is also approved by the Arizona State Board for Private Post-secondary Education and is authorized to award Associates and Bachelors of Science degrees, such as their online vet tech program.

Associates in Science Online Veterinary Technician Degree Program

Penn Foster College offers a unique online associate’s degree for those individuals who are interested in working in animal care. Many people are in need of great care for their pets and so becoming a veterinary technician can really benefit you and increase your career opportunities.

The Penn Foster vet tech program consists of four semesters or two years of study with 80 credit hours required for completion. Here are just a few of the courses offered:

  • Animal Anatomy and Physiology
  • Medical Mathematics
  • Veterinary Office Management
  • Animal Nutrition, Reproduction,Genetics, and Aging

This online vet tech degree program also requires completion of a proctored exam at the end of each semester and a nine-week practicum at the end of semesters two and four. The semester exams will be given by an approved proctor at a Penn Foster approved site, and the location of the practicum will also be selected by Penn Foster and the student and with the consent of the chosen supervisor.

It must be noted, that some states require specific licensing requirements for a veterinary technician to practice in an animal hospital or such. It is highly recommended that a Penn Foster vet tech student visits their state’s licensing bureau for further information on this topic, prior to applying for a specific job opportunity.

Penn Foster’s Associate Degree Program for Veterinary Technicians is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Admission Requirements

In order to be approved into this program, two basic skills assessments are required. These include one math and one reading, and are designed to test the readiness of each applicant for this particular program.

A high school diploma or a GED are also required.

The wonderful thing about Penn Foster, is that they are willing to accept previous college coursework if it meets their standards. All of the transferred courses must have been completed with a grade of “C” or better and up to 50% of the coursework can be transferred upon approval. Tuition deduction will also be made upon these course credit transfers.

Tuition Costs for the Program

The first semester of this program’s total cost is $1,390. (This includes all fees and materials) However, if you setup a payment plan, you can even have the technology fees waived. These fees are subject to change, so please check Penn Foster’s web site for the most current charges.

Penn Foster offers various payment plans, tuition reimbursement options and military benefits as well.

A New Career Opportunity

After completing this online vet degree, you will have the ability to work in a private veterinary practice or animal hospital where you will have the opportunity to take what you have learned apply it to sick and injured animals of different statures.

You will have acquired the skills to handle and retain large or small animals, those necessary for nursing large or small animals, and those needed for emergency care and surgical procedures of various types of animals.

This is a steadily increasing career field and is one that has a considerable growth expectation for the future. Do you want to be a part of it? For more information on Penn Foster’s online vet tech program, go to www.pennfostercollege.edu.