As the number of colleges and universities offering online degree programs has grown, so too has the diversity of available distance learning degrees.
Veterinary medicine degrees, which traditionally have been restricted to campus-based programs due to their hands-on nature, are increasingly available via veterinary education online programs.
This article will give an overview of some of the top veterinary schools online which are available for working and nontraditional students who seek the flexibility and affordability of online learning.
Cedar Valley College Associate Veterinary Degree Online
Cedar Valley College, in conjunction with the American Animal Hospital Association, offers the Distance Education Veterinary Technology Program (DEVTP). Students through this program have the opportunity to earn a Veterinary Technology Associate in Applied Sciences degree.
In this program, students take asynchronous courses via an online system which provides multimedia lectures, electronic resources, and internet-based assignments. Students are also matched with a mentor who supervises and approves in-clinic assignments and laboratory exercises.
The program, which is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), has a tuition rate between $319 and $389 per course. Students are also eligible to apply for federal financial aid and federal grants.
Penn Foster College Associate Veterinary Degree Online
Through Penn Foster College's veterinary education online program, students can pursue an Associate of Science degree as a Veterinary Technician. The program is provisionally accredited by the AVMA.
The learning through Penn Foster is asynchronous, and students who enroll in their program receive the following:
- Textbooks, learning resources, structured lessons, and necessary equipment
- Videos and charts exploring different anatomical systems
- Academic and instructional services and supports
- Access to the college's library
This program does require that students participate in two nine-week practicums in order to gain real-world experience; these practicums are held at participating sites close to a student's place of residence. Tuition for the program, which includes the two practicums, ranges between $1,305 and $1,390 per semester.
Purdue University Associate Veterinary Degree Online
Purdue University's veterinary education online program – through which students can pursue an Associate of Science degree in Veterinary Technology – is fully accredited by the AVMA.
The program has two parts. In the first part, students take asynchronous, didactic courses. In the second part, students must complete a clinical mentorship at an approved facility near the student's place of residence. This provides students with both the academic and practical backgrounds needed to be successful.
Tuition for the program is $295 per credit. While the program is typically a two-year degree, online learners often take much longer due to other responsibilities. Purdue estimates that the degree typically takes between four and five years for online learners who can't handle full-time enrollment.
St. Petersburg College Associate Veterinary Degree Online
St. Petersburg College has a veterinary education online program in Veterinary Technology. This Associate's degree program is fully accredited by the AVMA.
While courses in the program are asynchronous, the college does require 45 minutes of live web conferencing per week with instructors.
Most of the courses can be taken solely online; however, lab courses require that local veterinarians help to determine whether a student has attained the necessary skills needed for the degree.
The college offers substantial distance tutorial services, as well as academic advising, electronic resources, and all the distance learning materials needed. Tuition varies by class, and is more expensive for those residing outside the state of Florida.
Benefits of a Veterinary Degree Online
Online learning allows working and nontraditional students the flexibility to earn a degree while fulfilling life's responsibilities. In particular, a veterinary medicine degree allows those already working in a veterinary hospital the ability to advance professionally without leaving work.
With many quality distance learning options available – all of which have the benefits of asynchronous course structures – students are encouraged to compare programs to see which is the best educational fit.
For more information on the programs detailed in this article, visit the AVMA guide to online programs, from which the information for this article was gleaned.
For information on additional degree programs and courses at the technical, community college, and graduate levels, see also:
Community College Class Online Guide
Finding an Accredited Online Graduate Course
David Harris-Gershon - David Harris-Gershon – a blogger for Tikkun magazine and a freelance writer on Israel, the Middle East and America’s role in ...
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