Veterinary Technology

Become a Veterinary Technician or Assistant

Vet Tech Program Information Night

Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 • 6–8 p.m. • Room 8507

Do you like animals? Have you always wanted to work with them? Join us to learn about our program, how this career can fit into your future, and how to utilize our student resources to be successful!

Shae, our program director, and the program faculty are thrilled to meet with you in-person and virtually to help answer your questions. Zoom option also available.

Register to attend

QUESTIONS? Email healthcareerprograms@fhda.edu.

At Foothill College, we have career training for both veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants. What's the difference between the two programs?

Veterinary Technician

Learn more about the Vet Tech program, including cost of program

Veterinary Assistant

Open enrollment
No prerequisites
No degree or license
Training not recognized by the AVMA.

Learn more about the Veterinary Assisting program

Career Opportunities

As a veterinary technician, you'll serve primarily as a professional assistant to veterinarians, biomedical researchers, and other scientists, and as such are an integral part of the veterinary health care team.

To work in the field, you must possess a unique combination of knowledge and skill involving basic science, animals, and people.

As the complexity of veterinary medicine increases, and as the public demand for state-of the-art care for their animals increases, the veterinary technician will play an ever increasing role in the delivery of excellent health care for animals.

The greatest demand for veterinary technicians is in a private veterinary practice working along side the veterinarian caring for companion animals. However, the demand for veterinary technicians in other fields is increasing.

Fields with a high or growing demand for Vet Tech workers

Private veterinary practice
Teaching
Pharmaceutical sales
Humane societies
Livestock production
Equine practice

Biomedical research
Diagnostic laboratories
Zoo/wildlife medicine
Veterinary supply sales
Public health organizations
Pet food industry

Degree & Certificates Types

View list below for programs offered at Foothill. Then select program map for a possible schedule that fulfills program and college requirements.

For program requirements and full course listings, view degrees and certificates information.

Associate in Science Degree

NOTE: When viewing this program map, you may select from two pathways — 1. Accelerated; and 2. Part-time.

Veterinary Technology, AS Program Map

Certificate of Achievement

Veterinary Assisting (Fully Online), CA Program Map

Learn More!

If you are interested in joining this field, learn more about our Vet Tech program at Foothill.

Veterinary Technology Program Application

Vet Tech Quick View

Program: Veterinary Technology
Degree: AS
Length: 2 years
Start/End: July/June
FT/PT: FT
Number Accepted: 32
Application Window: Oct.1–April 21
Program Application Deadline: April 21
Prerequisites: Yes
Approx. Cost of Program: $5,500
National Licensing Exam: Yes
State Licensing Exam: No
Est. Annual Salary (with license): $40,000–$60,000

See informaton about our Veterinary Assisting Certificate Program

VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM CONTACTS

Office: Building 5200, Room 5211

Shaelyn St Onge-Cole, Program Director

Phone: 650.949.7818

stonge-coleshaelyn@fhda.edu

Nancy Cheung, MPA, Division Dean
cheungnancy@fhda.edu

Health Science & Horticulture Division

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