TRAIN FOR A HIGH-DEMAND
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN CAREER
Our program prepares students for a rewarding career in veterinary medicine by preparing them to become Certified Veterinary Technicians or as a solid foundation to continue their study in veterinary science.
person with stethoscopeHands-On Training
Learn from faculty who have 50+ years of combined experience in veterinary medicine, gaining skills through structured labs and real-world clinical practice.
Hands-On Training
Learn from faculty who have 50+ years of combined experience in veterinary medicine, gaining skills through structured labs and real-world clinical practice.
pawDiverse Species
Build confidence working with multiple species, from companion animals to equine, livestock, and exotics, through clinical training and at USU's teaching farms.
Diverse Species
Build confidence working with multiple species, from companion animals to equine, livestock, and exotics, through clinical training and at USU's teaching farms.
university with columnsFull Veterinary Pathway
USU is a one-stop shop for every step of veterinary medicine, from associates and bachelors to graduate and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Full Veterinary Pathway
USU is a one-stop shop for every step of veterinary medicine, from associates and bachelors to graduate and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Your Future in Veterinary Medicine Starts Here
Stackable Pathway
This program is designed to be ‘stackable’ which means it can be built upon or students may enter the workforce at any point. Students coming from a Utah Board of Higher Education (USHE)-approved Veterinary Assisting certificate can apply up to 18 credits towards Year-One.
At USU, students can pursue every step of their veterinary education from associates and bachelors degrees to graduate programs and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
Students looking to continue their education have plenty of options:
Admission to the Program
To be admitted there are a series of steps students must take. Admission is competitive and is based on academic performance, demonstrated interest in veterinary medicine and animal health, relevant experience, and preparation for success in the program. USU admits up to 32 students to the first year of Veterinary Technology A.S. program.
After applying to USU, students must complete the following steps to apply to the Veterinary Technician Program.
Gain 20 Hours Observation
Document 20 hours of veterinary or animal clinical observation and/or participation in a professional animal care setting.
Complete Career Exploration Form
Download and complete the vet tech career exploration form with a 250-word reflection and supervisor contact information.
Submit Application
Submit resume and Career Exploration Form by December 1 for admission to the following academic year.
Have Veterinary Assisting Credential
If you have completed veterinary assisting credential: Submit documentation of passing the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) exam or
arrange to complete our Knowledge Competency Exam at a USU testing center.
Apply Directly to Year-Two with Veterinary Assistant Certificate
Students with a Veterinary Assistant Certificate may qualify to apply up to 18 credits towards the Veterinary Technology Associates degree and start with Year-Two of the program. All students admitted directly into Year-Two must complete a Clinical Competency Exam (CCE).
Completion of a Veterinary Assisting Certificate and passage of the AVA exam do not guarantee admission. Up to 16 additional students may be admitted this way.
Veterinary Assistant Certificates from a NAVTA-approved program
Veterinary Assistant Certificates from USHE or other non-approved program
All students admitted directly into Year-Two must complete a CCE before beginning the second-year curriculum. The assessment determines whether the student has retained the knowledge and technical skills required to progress successfully into advanced veterinary technology coursework. Program faculty will establish the performance standards for the assessment.
If Minor Skill Gaps Are Shown
If the exam shows small areas where a student needs improvement, they may be asked to complete some remediation. This could happen before Year‑Two begins or within a timeframe set by the program.
If Required Standards Aren't Met
If the exam shows major gaps that cannot be fixed through reasonable remediation, students will need to complete Year-One courses before moving on to Year-Two.
Why Become a Veterinary Technician?
What is the Difference between a Veterinary Technician and Assistant?
Veterinary Technicians are essential members of the veterinary healthcare team through supporting veterinarians in providing high-quality care for animals.
Veterinary Technicians Role
- Collects medical history
- Administers vaccines
- Places IVs and catheters
- Prepares surgical instruments
- Monitors anesthesia
- Assists in surgery
- Performs bloodwork, urinalysis, x-rays, and skin scrapings
- Provides nursing care and first aid
- Guides clients on care plans and medication
Veterinary Assistant Role
- Restrains animals during exams and treatments
- Takes vitals
- Clean exam rooms, surgical rooms, and kennels
- Sterilizes surgical equipment
- Assists running basic labs
- Labels samples
- Feeds animals
- Manage clinic reception
Career Opportunities
Veterinary Technicians play a vital role across the animal-care industry, working in settings that range from hands-on clinics and animal shelters to research, education, and wildlife care.
- Veterinary Clinics
- Teaching Hospitals
- Academic Institutions
- Research Laboratories
- Animal Shelters
- Veterinary Sales and Marketing
- Pharmaceuticals
- Public Health
- Government
- Zoos
- Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
$56,000+
average salary
4.2% Growth
projected 2026-2030
Frequently Asked Questions
These courses may articulate to Utah State collectively as 18 credits toward Year-One:
- ADVS 2000 Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- ADVS 2010 Companion Animal Science and Management
- ADVS 2015 Companion Animal Science and Management Lab
- ADVS 2020 Companion Animal Nursing
- ADVS 2025 Companion Animal Nursing Lab
- ADVS 2060 Veterinary Clinical Lab Techniques
- ADVS 2065 Veterinary Clinical Lab Techniques Lab
- ADVS 2200 Anatomy and Physiology of Animals
- ADVS 2250 Anatomy and Physiology of Animals: Exploratory Laboratory
Yes, students will need to arrange to be in-person for labs.
First Semester Year-One
- ADVS 2000 Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- ADVS 2010 Companion Animal Science and Management
- ADVS 2015 Companion Animal Science and Management Lab
Second Semester Year-One
- ADVS 2020 Companion Animal Nursing
- ADVS 2025 Companion Animal Nursing Lab
- ADVS 2060 Veterinary Clinical Lab Techniques
- ADVS 2065 Veterinary Clinical Lab Techniques Lab
- ADVS 2200 Anatomy and Physiology of Animals
- ADVS 2250 Anatomy and Physiology of Animals: Exploratory Laboratory
First Semester Year-Two
- ADVS 2140 Pharmacology and Toxicology for Veterinary Technicians
- ADVS 2030 Exotic and Laboratory Animal Care
- ADVS 2035 Exotic and Laboratory Animal Care Lab
- ADVS 2040 Veterinary Critical Care Nursing
- ADVS 2045 Veterinary Critical Care Nursing Lab
Second Semester Year-Two
- ADVS 2050 Veterinary Nurse Specialties
- ADVS 2055 Veterinary Nurse Specialties Lab
- ADVS 2070 Food Animal and Equine Care
- ADVS 2075 Food Animal and Equine Care Lab
Yes, students must complete 240 hours of internship experience in Year-Two.
Yes, this program is designed as a foundation for further study. Students looking to continue their education have several options: