Veterinary Technology
Become a Veterinary Technician or Assistant
At Foothill College, we have career training for both veterinary technicians and veterinary
assistants. What's the difference between the two programs?
Veterinary Technician
- Admission by application
- Prerequisites of about a year of school
- Accredited by the AVMA-CVTEA
- Earn an Associate in Science degree leading to license
Learn more about the Vet Tech 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 & Program Types
Check out this list for a quick view of our veterinary technology programs. For program requirements and full course listings, view degrees and certificates information.
Associate in Science Degree
|
Career Certificate
|
Learn More!
If you are interested in joining this field, learn more about our Vet Tech program at Foothill.
Veterinary Technology Program Application
| Program: Veterinary Technology Degree: AS Length: 2 years Start/End: July/June FT/PT: FT Number Accepted: 35 Program Application Deadline: April 21 Prerequisites: Yes — See application. Approx. Cost of Program: $5,000 National Licensing Exam: Yes State Licensing Exam: Yes Est. Annual Salary (with license): $40,000–$60,000 |
| See informaton about our Veterinary Assisting Certificate Program |
| Lisa Eshman, Program Director Phone: 650.949.7203 eshmanlisa@foothill.edu |
| Nanette Solvason, Division Dean Phone: 650.949.7730 solvasonnanette@foothill.edu |
| Christine Mangiameli Division Administrative Assistant Phone: 650.949.7249 mangiamelichristine@foothill.edu |
| Biological & Health Sciences Division |
Download 2017 CTE Licensure Pass & Placement Rates
