This program is a 504-contact-hour, basic certification course that combines classroom lecture with hands-on learning in clinical and laboratory settings. It can be completed in three semesters by students attending classes 10-20 hours per week. Training will focus on the skills required of back-office assistants.

The course sequence is as follows:

Semester 1 (192 hours)

• VTHT-1001: Intro to Veterinary Technology
• VTHT-1013: Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology
• VTHT-1009: Veterinary Nutrition
• VTHT-1049: Veterinary Pharmacology

Semester 2 (192 hours)

• VTHT-2023: Clinical Pathology
• VTHT-2001: Canine & Feline Clinical Management
• VTHT-1041: Anesthesia & Surgical Assistance

Semester 3 (112 hours)

• VTHT-1066: Practicum-Veterinary Assistant

It will take three semesters, if you take all of the required courses each semester. If you start in the fall, then you will finish the following summer. If you start in the spring, then you will finish in the fall of the same year. Taking all of the required courses each semester isn't mandatory, you can take as many as you like, but you must complete Semester 1 classes before progressing to Semester 2, and complete all Semester 2 classes before registering for Practicum, which is the final (Capstone) course in the program.

You can find the application here. Basically, you take an online orientation course, complete the application packet, and meet with the program coordinator to review your application and receive counseling about the program and your career path in veterinary medicine. At this time, we want you to ask questions to be sure that you are fully prepared to enter the veterinary assistant program.

Semester 1 lecture classes are held at the ACC Riverside campus (RVS). VTHT-1001 also has a clinical component, which is held at Texas Humane Heroes in Leander, except for a few site visits during the semester to other facilities TBA. These classes may be held in the evenings during the week and on Saturdays. The clinical meeting will take place on a weekday during regular business hours for 2 hours each week. Please see the course schedule for details.

Semester 2 lecture classes are held at the Riverside campus (RVS) and Eastview Campus (EVC). Clinicals are at veterinary facilities in the Austin area TBA. These classes usually have scheduled meetings during the day and/or evening on Monday-Friday, plus a Saturday meeting.

Please see the Courses by Semester files for specific details.

The Veterinary Assistant Program practicum is a 112 hour internship experience. There are no scheduled class meetings, and the days/times that you complete your hours at your Practicum site are determined by you and your Preceptor (supervisor at the clinical site). We will help find you a placement, or you can request a facility, and we'll try to secure an affiliation agreement if we don't have one already.

We require attendance in 90% of class hours in order to earn the certificate of completion and progress in the program.

This varies by class, but you can expect to do homework assignments (including assigned readings), complete written quizzes and exams, do lab work or group projects in class, and perform skills for practical exams (Semester 2 classes). A grade of "C" or better is required for progression in the program. The Practicum is a pass/fail course. When all classes and the Practicum are complete, students earn a certificate of completion for the program and are eligible to take the Certified Veterinary Assistant Level One exam.

That's fine! But you must complete all of the Semester 1 classes and be accepted into the program before you can take Semester 2 or 3 classes.

The Texas Veterinary Medical Association offers voluntary certification for veterinary assistants at three different levels. ACC VAP graduates are eligible to take the Level One exam upon completion of the program, and the Level Two exam after 500 hours on the job.

We don't have a formal job placement program, but students who successfully complete our program are in high demand and generally do not have a problem finding a job! We do pass on information about job openings to current and former students via our program Facebook page.

There has never been a better time to be a veterinary assistant in Central Texas! There are hundreds of job openings each year, and only a small fraction of those applying for these jobs are Certified Veterinary Assistants. You can probably get a job without certification (depending on previous experience), but you may be stuck working in the kennels. Certification gives you an advantage in the hiring process and puts you on a faster track to career advancement. Several of our former students are now in supervisory and management positions!

Tuition varies depending on number of hours in the class and cost of materials used. For the entire program, tuition is $3839.

Yes, we do have financial aid options available. Please see our Financial Aid web page for further details.

Additionally, if you are already working in this field, your employer may qualify for a small business grant to help pay for your education.

Courses in the Veterinary Clinical Assistant program are broken down into three semesters.