Veterinary Technician

Associate Degree | 9 Months per Semester

Pursue your passion for working with animals and prepare for an in-demand career in veterinary healthcare with Penn Foster's online Veterinary Technician Associate Degree. Our self-paced, online AVMA-accredited vet tech courses allow you to study on your own time. Develop your skills with visual learning aids, interactive assessments, and hands-on training designed to help you prepare for a rewarding career as a veterinary technician.

Built for Your Life

  • Self-paced format
  • Flexible schedule
  • No set deadlines

Built for Your Career

  • AVMA-accredited
  • Externship required
  • VTNE eligible

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Quick Facts About the Veterinary Technician Associate Program

An accredited, flexible, and career-ready pathway to becoming a credentialed veterinary technician. Built for busy learners, supported at every step - from first lesson to externship to VTNE.
View the Full Curriculum

What You Will Learn

  1. How to prepare to sit for the VTNE exam by studying animal healthcare, animal anatomy and physiology, veterinary practice management, veterinary pharmacology, and more.
  2. How to recognize an animals’ integumentary, urinary, and endocrine systems using engaging visual learning aids and interactive assessments.
  3. How to care for large and small animals, small and large animal medicine, animal nutrition, laboratory animal medicine, and more.
  4. How to be a part of a working veterinary team and apply knowledge and skills in a mixed-animal practice.

 

Program Goals & Outcomes

WHAT TO EXPECT

From Enrollment to Credential, We Believe in a Better Experience

You can study on your schedule, but it helps to know what the road ahead looks like. Here's how most learners progress through the program, including when you'll complete your externships and exams.

 

How Does Accreditation Work?

HOW WE SUPPORT YOU

You're supported Every Step of the Way

Whether you're navigating assignments, stuck on a clinical concept, or trying to find your externship site, we've built a real support. From academic coaches to externship advisors, we've tor your back. Our instructors have been where you are and they're here to help you get to where you want to go.
    • Penn Foster Vet Tech student with dog. 
      PROVEN TRACK RECORD

      19

      Years of experience

      Since initial accreditation, which means more than two decades of experience helping students.
    • Penn Foster Vet Tech student with dog. 
      BUILT FOR BUSY LIVES

      Be Your Own Coach

      Tools to help with pacing, motivation, and planning your study time.
    • BUILT FOR BUSY LIVES

      12

      Years of Experience

      Tools to help with pacing, motivation, and planning your study time.
    • Penn Foster Vet Tech student with dog. 
      BUILT FOR BUSY LIVES

      Be Your Own Coach

      Tools to help with pacing, motivation, and planning your study time.
    What to know about the Vet Tech Externships

    Built to Get You Credential and Career-Ready

    Penn Foster's AVMA-CVTEA accredited program prepares you to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE - A requirement aslkjalsdk l als lasd lkasd kl lks dl asld lksad lk laskd lksadllkasd lksda lk lksda l lasdlkasd lka d.

     

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    How to Pass the Veterinary Technician Exam
    Penn Foster Vet Tech student with dog. 
    VTNE Enablement

    A DAY IN THE LIFE

    Future Vet Techs, Just Like You

      • Meet Samantha

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        Read Samantha's Story

      • Meet Samantha

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        Read Samantha's Story

      • Meet Samantha

        Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

        Read Samantha's Story
      See more stories

      Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Tuition

      Take the first step toward your new veterinary technician career by enrolling in Penn Foster's online Vet Tech Program. Simply choose from one of our customized payment plans below and get started today!

      Disclosures For California Residents | Compare All Tuition And Payment Options

      THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

      Trusted by Learners and Veterinary Leaders

        • Penn Foster Vet Tech student with dog. 
          PROVEN TRACK RECORD

          19

          Since initial accreditation, which means more than two decades of experience helping students.1
        • Penn Foster Vet Tech student with dog. 
          PROVEN TRACK RECORD

          19

          Since initial accreditation, which means more than two decades of experience helping students.1
        • Penn Foster Vet Tech student with dog. 
          PROVEN TRACK RECORD

          19

          Since initial accreditation, which means more than two decades of experience helping students.1

          Petco Partners with Penn Foster

          Through partnership with Penn Foster, Petco offers employees a flexible, self-paced path toward becoming a credentialed veterinary technician. Watch to learn more about the program, the student experience, and the impact Petco and Penn Foster had on our vet tech graduates!

          What do Vet Techs Earn in Virginia?

          AVG salary*

          $49,000/yr

          avg hourly pay*

          $24/hour

          State Licensing Requirements

          Licensing requirements for Registered Veterinary Technicians vary greatly from state to state throughout the United States and may contain specific educational course approvals. You should contact your state's appropriate licensing bureau for the current requirements, or your state legislature for pending legislation. See the State Licensing page for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

            • Penn Foster Vet Tech student with dog. 
              Entry-level friendly

              General Practice Clinics

              Most entry-level roles start here. Strong foundation in animal care, preventive medicine, and client communication.
            • Penn Foster Vet Tech student with dog. 
              Entry-level friendly

              General Practice Clinics

              Most entry-level roles start here. Strong foundation in animal care, preventive medicine, and client communication.
            • Penn Foster Vet Tech student with dog. 
              Entry-level friendly

              General Practice Clinics

              Most entry-level roles start here. Strong foundation in animal care, preventive medicine, and client communication.

            Resources for Future Vet Techs

            Difference Between Vet Technician and Vet Technologist

            The Difference Between a Veterinary Technician & a Veterinary Technologist

            woman vet with dog.

            How to Pass the Veterinary Technician Exam (2024 Guide to the VTNE)

            healthcare worker petting and holding a golden retriever's paw.

            Is Penn Foster's vet tech program hard? And other expert answers to your FAQs

            Online Vet Tech School FAQs

            An accredited, flexible, and career-ready pathway to becoming a credentialed veterinary technician. Built for busy learners, supported at every step - from first lesson to externship to VTNE.
            Explore More Frequently Asked Questions

            Need more info or ready to enroll?

            We're here to help. Call 1-800-471-3232 (10AM - 6:30PM ET)

            Full Program Overview
            Request Info Enroll Now

            Sources:

            *Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Veterinary Technologists and Technicians." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed October 20, 2025.

            ** Results from the 2025 Penn Foster Group Alumni Mobility Survey, including Veterinary Technician completers who self-enrolled and those enrolled through partners.

            *** Based on total number of learners who fully completed degree program requirements between January 1, 2007 and March, 10, 2026.

            **** The number of Penn Foster partners identified through internal data on current veterinary partnerships. Top veterinary hospitals and clinics defined by revenue as of June 2026 on Zoominfo. Accessed June 15, 2026

            Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country. 

            Disclaimers:

            1 Depending on where you live, you may be charged taxes in addition to the total cost of your program.