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How do I Choose the Best Online Veterinary Technician Courses?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

The best online veterinary technician courses are ones that fit well within a student's academic trajectory. Some students who are working toward vet tech certification find it more convenient and, in some cases, necessary to take some of their courses online. However, if the online veterinary technician courses are not approved by a student's accrediting institution, all of the work will be for naught.

It is usually best, therefore, to take online veterinary technician courses that are offered by the same institution that is granting the certification. In other cases, the online courses must be approved by the institution to assure that successful completion of the course will yield credits for the student. Before registering for any online veterinary technician courses, it is crucial to confirm that the courses will lead to credits that can be applied to an accredited certification.

Veterinarian with a puppy
Veterinarian with a puppy

One of the key aspects of vet tech training is learning to work with animals. Clearly, this is a skill that is very hands on and is difficult, if not impossible, to learn online. There is certainly some theoretical material on this topic that can be read and discussed outside of the presence of animals and within the virtual sphere, but the best and most informative training usually comes through practice.

It is important to note that most online veterinary technician courses cannot be the only source of education for people looking to become vet techs. Rather, these sorts of courses should supplement hands-on training. Programs that primarily use online training as a way to educate their students should also offer ways for students to get hands-on training in the form of internships or part-time jobs.

In order to choose the best online veterinary technician courses, one should consult an academic adviser. There are a number of offerings, but the best offerings are ones that fit in well with a student's academic plan and goals. An academic adviser can review the material that a student still needs to cover and how far she has come in her training in order to help guide her toward online veterinary technician courses that might be right for her. From a practical point of view, the best online veterinary technician courses are ones that allow people to have a slightly easier schedule while they are studying. Instead of attending a class in the middle of the day when, perhaps, one must be at a day job, an online course can be completed according to one's own schedule.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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    • Veterinarian with a puppy
      Veterinarian with a puppy