Whether you want to become a veterinary technician or you need to continue your education to work elsewhere in the veterinary medicine field, distance education is affordable, adaptable and becoming a more and more common choice. Most properly accredited distance education programs for veterinary medicine offer traditional classroom programs, which can make it a good option for motivated individuals with limited time.

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AVMA

AVMA stands for the American Veterinary Medical Association. The AVMA is a professional organization for veterinarians, and it accredits some distance learning schools to teach in the field of veterinary medicine.

I recommend: The AVMA's website lists schools it accredits for veterinary technology education and training.

Consortium

In distance education, a consortium is two or more distance education schools that create or teach distance education courses together.

I recommend: National Network of Education discusses the future of veterinary education as seen by the North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium.

CE

CE stands for continuing education, or education received by someone who already has a veterinary degree. In order to keep a veterinary medical license, vets must obtain CE.

I recommend: The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) discusses CE and offers information on it Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) program.

Computer-based training

Computer-based training, or CBT, refers to instruction received under the guidance and feedback of a computer, instead of a human instructor. Most people receive computer-based training via the Internet or a CD-ROM.

I recommend: "Veterinary Practice Medicine," published by Elsevier Health Sciences, discusses how computer-based training can fit into a veterinary education.

Telecourse

A telecourse is an entire class delivered via television. Lessons may arrive through local access stations, cable television or DVDs.

I recommend: The Digital Library and Archives at Virginia Tech offers an article on innovative uses of technology, including telecourses, for veterinary medicine.

Video conferencing

Video conferencing is when distance learning takes place via satellite. Video conferencing allows students and teachers to see and hear each other, interacting much as they would in a traditional classroom, even though they may be in different cities, states or countries.

I recommend: PennState discusses its continuing education courses for those in veterinary medicine, including the use of video conferencing and similar technologies.

You can't earn an accredited veterinary degree online, but you can use distance education, veterinary continuing education and other web-based options to prepare for vet school or maintain professional licensure. There are also plenty of online vet classes available for anyone seeking a veterinary assistant or technician certification.

Avoid so-called "diploma mills" by thoroughly researching your options. Find trustworthy online veterinary education using reputable resources to:

1. Search for online veterinary degrees and courses using links provided by organizations that govern veterinary medicine in the USA.

2. Contact veterinary colleges for referrals to worthwhile online vet classes.

3. Use professional resources to plan a mix of distance and traditional education classes for professional continuing education.

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Find online veterinary degree providers using licensing entities

Lots of companies offer an associates or bachelors online vet degree, but before you apply, make sure you find a program that is endorsed by your state's veterinary technician licensing body. Most veterinarians will not require technician certification before they hire you, but technicians will be hired before veterinary assistants at most large animal hospitals.

I recommend: The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges maintains links to all 28 accredited universities, some of which offer online vet classes for bachelor's degrees in pre-veterinary science. Search for your state's veterinary licensing body, and veterinary technician education program information, through the American Association of Veterinary State Board website.

Search for animal science distance learning courses through online degree programs

Many Internet-based universities offer veterinary online courses and technician programs that confer credit, degrees and certifications that can translate into more money and respect in your chosen career. If you plan to attend vet school, though, request a common course-numbering guide or contact a veterinary school admissions counselor to make sure your online credits will transfer. Generally, laboratory science credits aren't available online for veterinary degrees.

I recommend: Search the databases maintained by the Directory of Online Schools and find veterinary technology schools listed by state at Veterinary Schools.com. Many traditional schools of veterinary technology offer distance learning options, but don't yet have full degree programs online.

Earn continuing veterinary education online

State-licensed veterinarians are required to average 14 hours annually in continuing education units, or CEUs. They now have plenty of online veterinary education options to free up more time for busy practices.

I recommend: The University of Illinois offers online veterinary courses for licensed veterinarians nationwide. Find other continuing education opportunities through WorldWideLearn.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you earn an online degree, veterinary certification or even a few credits from a program that's totally online, research options at local colleges and universities. Veterinarians want to hire qualified assistants and technicians, but they're looking for hands-on experience. If your only choice is an online vet degree, volunteer at local clinics and shelters as much as possible to get experience, references and, sometimes, a foot in the door should a position come open.

Although there are relatively few universities and colleges with veterinary programs in the United States, you still can't get a veterinary degree online—however, you may want to look at veterinary medicine distance education pricing and costs. A legitimate distance education can earn you a degree suitable for veterinary techs; online courses are also suitable for continuing your education as an established vet.
Before you choose just any veterinary education online, however, there are a few steps you should take:
1. Select a college with an online veterinary degree if you wish to become a technician.
2. Choose a distance education veterinary program if you want to continue your veterinary education.
3. Read what experts have to say about obtaining a veterinary degree online.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Earn a veterinary online degree for technicians

Any school that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is a safe choice for distance learning in the veterinary field. To earn an online vet degree for technicians, tuition is generally about $100 to $250 per credit hour, depending upon whether you are a resident of the state where the college is located.

I recommend: Blue Ridge Community College offers AVMA-approved online veterinary education for an "Associate of Applied Science Degree in Animal Science Major: Veterinary Technology." For a list of other AVMA-approved distance schools, see the AVMA website.

Consider other types of veterinary education online

Veterinary online courses suitable for continuing education are generally quite affordable. They cover a vast array of topics, from surgery to breeding. As an example of potential costs, a one-hour, one-time seminar generally costs between $40 and $100, while a longer seminar may cost between $100 and $500.

I recommend: The Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine offers a number of online veterinary courses for continuing education, including those related to nutrition, neonatology, and surgery. Colorado State University provides ongoing education for veterinarians, including topics such as animal behavior, dealing with "difficult" clients, poisonous plants, and much more.

Read up on getting a vet degree online

It is important to carefully read what experts in the field of veterinary professions have to say about the pros and cons of taking online vet classes. At its best, distance education makes it possible for more people to enter the veterinary field by lowering the cost of education and reducing American student debt loads. This is a good thing, since there's a shortage of vets. Nonetheless, there are plenty of bogus learning programs online. One important thing to look for is the cost of online courses compared to the cost of in-person courses (since online courses shouldn't cost more than in-person courses).

I recommend: For a good general article for potential distance learners, check out "How To Spot Bogus Online Degree Programs," by Helen Hecker. "Addressing Educational Challenges in Veterinary Medicine through the Use of Distance Education" at JVME Online discusses the challenges and advantages of distance education for those who wish to enter the veterinary field, including the benefit of lower education costs. Membership is required in order to read the full article.

Interested in getting a vet degree online? According to industry news and trends, that's the way more students are getting their education in the veterinary field. You won't miss anything by choosing an online education versus the traditional classroom setting. You may find that an online program better suits your individual situation and lifestyle.

Using distance education, veterinary programs can still offer quality faculty and even hands-on learning to supply you with the skills necessary to become a veterinary technician or a related job in the field. To help you determine if distance education is right for you, study news and trends.

1. Many students find an online veterinary degree an attractive option because of the flexibility it offers. You can learn on your own timetable (depending on class format) and avoid having to visit a traditional campus.

2. Distance education trends show that more and more veterinary schools are collaborating on curriculum to share costs in providing online vet classes.

3. Animal science distance learning can help you prepare to take the certification exam in your state.

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Research schools that offer online veterinary degrees

How many schools offer vet degrees online? Look for a pattern over time to spot a trend of more students earning their vet degree through distance education. As with anything online, be sure to perform your research on both the schools and their programs and only select one with a reliable reputation.

I recommend: Check American Veterinary Medical Association for accredited veterinary programs. Review online for details about Thompson Rivers University's online veterinary program.

Review articles that study trends in online veterinary degrees

Online articles are a great place to start if you want to learn more about news and trends in veterinary distance education. As trends evolve, the most recent information is posted online first. Gather all the information you need to make an informed decision about your educational needs.

I recommend: Review an Advanstar Communications article detailing how budget cuts have forced veterinary programs to come up with creative ways of teaching, such as offering more classes online. ClearViewEducation.com gives the benefits of taking vet classes online.

Stay up-to-date on veterinary medicine distance education news and trends through organizations

Perhaps the best way to stay informed is to get involved in a student organization. Participation in this kind of group keeps you in touch with the most recent news and trends in the field. Chances are good that you'll gain greater access to educational programs and workshops that can further your career.

I recommend: Check out the American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association newsletters. Tuskegee University offers 14 different organizations in its School of Veterinary Medicine.