Vet Tech Program Selection Guide: Where VTI Fits
This guide will help you identify important questions to ask when selecting the program that's right for you. For many questions, it also summarizes where VTI fits among other programs.
The guide assumes you will consider only programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA-CVTEA).
Tip: Visit the schools, ask a lot of questions in the admissions department, and see what seems right for you!
Q: Should I choose an online or in-person program?
The choice of an online or in-person program depends on your objectives and learning style. Online programs can be great for students who are comfortable with online learning, prefer a slower pace of learning, and can secure access to locations where they can learn and practice all of the required hands-on skills, including on many types of animals. In-person programs can be better for students who prefer in-person teaching and learning, as well as students preferring easier access to animals for hands-on training and practicing.
Where VTI fits
VTI’s programs are all in-person programs. Students who choose VTI often prefer hands-on learning, an 18-month program, and the access to animals provided by our on-site kennels.
Tip: Make sure you understand how different in-person programs enable access to animals for hands-on training.
Tip: When looking at online programs, make sure you really understand whether you are on your own to find animals to practice on and then to find an externship.
Q: Should I choose a large school or a small school?
The optimal school size depends on an individual's preferred learning style and overall educational preferences. Large colleges typically offer a broader selection of general education courses, a more diverse student body, bigger campuses with more amenities, and better support for students seeking extensive learning accommodations. In contrast, smaller, specialized schools often provide curriculum, facilities, faculty, and administrative support all focused on preparing students for specific career fields.
Where VTI fits
In Houston, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh, veterinary technology is the whole school! In Tinley Park near Chicago, the veterinary technology program makes up over half of the student body. Our small size is not for everyone, but it creates a real community. And it allows us to try to focus on every student.
Q: What kind of hands-on experience will I get?
AVMA program requirements place a strong emphasis on extensive hands-on clinical experience, and mandate learning approximately 320 specific skills. Some programs have on-site kennels for most of this hands-on experience. Other programs—including most online programs—rely on students securing up a location where they can learn these skills. If you work at a local veterinary hospital and have relationships with large animal sites, you may be able to ask them if they can promise to provide this support.
Where VTI fits
VTI is very focused on making sure students have easy, planned access to hands-on, skills-based learning. Students even begin practical work with animals within the first 2-4 weeks of the program. On-site kennels, radiology, diagnostic labs, and surgery suites are all dedicated to hands-on learning. VTI partners with large animal sites for required skills involving horses, cows, and others. Finally, VTI facilitates all students being placed for required 8-week externships at the end of the program.
Tip: Really consider whether you can secure access to all of the skills and animal types - and the externship - that will be required.
Q: What is the program length and structure?
Full-time programs leading to an associate degree range in length from 18 months to 2 years. Part-time and online programs often take 3-5 years.
Some programs require students to enroll in the college and take general education courses first. Admission to the vet tech program then can depend on one’s grades in those “gen ed” courses. Other programs include the minor amount of required general education during the program.
Some programs enroll new students once per year, and they may offer many courses only once per year. Other programs have multiple entry points during the year, and they may offer each course multiple times per year. This difference can become important if one needs to take a voluntary break for a semester or two.
Some programs have waitlists that can be up to several years.
Some programs have adopted a specific sequence in which they want each student to take each course, so that the curriculum can build on itself. Other programs have built a curriculum that does not make as many assumptions about what students have learned earlier, so the sequence can be more flexible.
Some programs guarantee that students who keep passing all courses will have access to the next courses in their sequence and can graduate on-time. Other programs require students to choose their preferred courses during a registration period.
Where VTI fits
VTI’s 18-month degree program is full-time, in-person, accelerated, and follows a specific sequence.
VTI students are accepted right into the program, and the handful of general education courses are spread throughout the program. VTI students can start the program at one of 3 times each year; this format later makes it easier to take a voluntary break.
VTI’s curriculum is tightly structured so that courses are built on learning in earlier, prerequisite courses. Each student becomes part of a “class” going through the program together, taking all courses in the structure’s sequence. As long as you keep passing all courses, enrollment with your “class” in the next semester’s structured courses is guaranteed.
Tip: Be careful about choosing a college where later acceptance into the vet tech program depends on your grades in the general education courses compared to other applicants to the vet tech program.
Tip: Beware of being "Locked Out" or "Shut Out"! Make sure you understand whether you will be able to graduate on-time, even if you keep passing all your courses. You do not want limited seating or schedule conflicts to set you back until the course is offered again.
Q: Will career services help me find a vet tech job?
Programs and colleges are required to offer at least some career services to graduates. However, those services and resulting employment rates vary widely—the devil is in the detail. Fortunately, the job outlook in veterinary technology is quite strong relative to other fields.
Where VTI fits
Graduate employment rates are very important to VTI. As a result of career services and everything else we do, we can boast of 90%+ verified graduate employment rates.
Tip: When you visit the schools, ask about specific graduate employment rates.
Q: What about graduation rates and credentialing rates?
Graduation rates and credentialing-related metrics like VTNE pass rates can be a good sign of program quality. Some programs can accomplish high rates by being very selective in whom they admit and whom they allow to graduate. Other programs provide more access and rely on students to prove their motivation.
Where VTI fits
VTI’s graduation rates and credentialing-related rates are competitive across its four locations. Our experience is that students who maintain their motivation graduate at high rates. And graduates who dedicate themselves to studying and preparing for the VTNE pass at high rates. We encourage you to ask for more details about your location when you visit!
Q: Does the school offer student housing or assistance?
The availability and types of student housing can vary widely. In general, most vet tech students attend a program near where they live and are very focused on learning and academics. And most vet tech programs are a very small part of schools that do not offer student housing or assistance.
Where VTI fits
VTI locations are small schools where the focus is on teaching and learning. Because everyone is focused on vet tech, a very strong community develops on-site during the day.
In Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, a very significant percentage of students live together in nearby student housing, providing an opportunity for more of the “college experience” and deeper bonding with new friends.
In Houston and Tinley Park, a smaller percentage of students take advantage of our assistance in finding housing, often together with other VTI students.
Q: Is there a difference between Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Nursing programs?
"Veterinary Technology" and "Veterinary Nursing" both refer to the same professional responsibilities, scope of practice, and required competencies. So there is no difference. Some newer programs are adopting the “nursing” name.
Summary
There are many types of vet tech programs because there is no “one size fits all.” Only you can decide which one is right for you. We hope this brief guide has been helpful.
We obviously hope you will consider one of our Vet Tech Institute locations. We think we have a formula that works for a lot of aspiring vet techs. Hopefully, this guide helps you understand where VTI “fits” among other programs.
One final tip
You owe it to yourself to explore your options. Visit programs like VTI’s, ask a lot of questions of the admissions department, and see what feels right for you. And remember, it is A Career that Loves You Back!