Veterinary Technician Associate Degree

100%

Employed

100% of our recent graduates got a job in the industry.

93%

Student Satisfaction

93% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.

92%

Job Placement

92% job placement within six months of graduation.

If you’d like to learn more about the Veterinary Technician program, we’d love to talk with you.

We’re here to answer any questions and guide you through our application process step-by-step.

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Veterinary Technician

Program Number: 100911

Your Degree:

Associate Degree

Area of Study:

Science, Math and Natural Resources

Delivery Method:

Some Online/Some In Person

Estimated Time to Complete:

64 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years

Financial Aid Available

Program Transfers

What You'll Pay

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Estimated Program Cost

$11,889.87

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Financial Aid

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Program Overview
Get the skills and learn procedures to improve the health and well-being of veterinary patients.
Madison College offers two paths to becoming a Veterinary Technician. Students working as veterinary assistants can learn semi-remotely as "Satellite" students.
Satellite students are employed as veterinary assistants working an average of 20 hours per week in a veterinary clinic. Hands-on skills are completed during select face-to-face labs, while theory is completed 100% online. For more details contact the Program Director or the School of Health Sciences.
Madison College's Veterinary Technician Program has been accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) since 1974. Visit the AVMA's website to learn more about essential veterinary technician skills students learn in our program.
Common Veterinary Technician Duties
Collect samples and perform diagnostic laboratory tests
Administer and monitor anesthesia
Apply and maintain bandages
Place intravenous catheters
Client education and communication
Perform dental procedures and oral radiographs
Radiography, EKG and other diagnostic tests
Perform physical examinations, gather medical histories, draw blood and take vital signs
Provide emergency first aid
Prepare and assist with surgery
Animal pharmaceutical training
Animal nursing care
After graduation, pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam to become a certified veterinary technician.
Program Requirements
You must demonstrate the ability to meet the essential functions of the Veterinary Technician program.
Transfer Credit
The Veterinary Technician program only accepts transfer credit for the 091 courses from other AVMA accredited programs/schools. Course syllabi and AVMA Essential Skills covered in those courses need to be provided to the Veterinary Technician Program Director for evaluation and consideration of transferability.
Following successful completion of this associates degree, students may complete a Bachelors of Animal Science at either UW River Falls or UW Platteville in two additional years.
Program Details
12 credits of core program courses available each semester.
Veterinary Technician classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.
Careers
Earning your Associate Degree in Applied Science program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as a Veterinary Technician or Laboratory Animal Technician.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians are some of the fastest growing occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 21% job growth from 2022 to 2032.
Technicians are usually employed by:
Small/companion services
Large animal/equine facilities
Mixed animal or exotic animal practices
Humane societies
Research environments
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
Hospital Managers
Facility Managers
Pet Food Company Representative
Drug Company Representative
Resources
Request Student Accident Insurance
Accreditation
Madison College's veterinary technician program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.
Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
Pre-Program Courses
10-806-105
Principles of Animal Biology
4 credits
First Semester
10-091-102
Intro to Veterinary Office Preparations and Procedures
2 credits
10-091-107
Animal Disease 1
2 credits
10-091-140
Animal Anatomy & Physiology 1
3 credits
10-091-170
Veterinary Medical Terminology
2 credits
10-091-171
Animal Care and Management 1
3 credits
Second Semester
10-091-108
Animal Disease 2
2 credits
10-091-109
Pharmacology 1 - Animals
2 credits
10-091-123
Lab Animal Science 1
2 credits
10-091-134
Veterinary Assistant and Technician Preparation for Surgery
1 credit
10-091-137
Veterinary Clinic Work Experience 1
2 credits
10-091-172
Animal Care and Management 2
3 credits
10-801-195
Written Communication
3 credits
Third Semester
10-091-127
Surgical Nursing 1
3 credits
10-091-128
Animal Nursing 1
2 credits
10-091-153
Diagnostic Imaging
3 credits
10-091-161
Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 1
4 credits
10-801-196
Oral/Interpersonal Communication
3 credits
Fourth Semester
10-091-110
Pharmacology 2
2 credits
10-091-122
Advanced Topics in Veterinary Medicine
1 credit
10-091-138
Veterinary Clinic Work Experience 2
2 credits
10-091-152
Surgical Nursing 2
3 credits
10-091-162
Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 2
4 credits
10-809-197
Contemporary American Society
3 credits
10-809-199
Psychology Of Human Relations
3 credits
Admission
To Apply
Students need to complete the petition process to get into core-program classes for this program. Before submitting an application, it’s important to review the Petition Process webpage which also includes estimated wait times for each program.
View the admission requirements for application deadlines, materials, and requirements

There is currently 0-1 year between acceptance into pre-program and the start of core classes. The estimated time to enter the core program is subject to change based on the variable number of students ready to petition each semester.

During the course of the program, you must demonstrate the ability to perform these essential functions safely, reliably and efficiently within the scope of practice. If you need accommodations to help you perform these functions, contact our Disability Resource Services office.

Learn more about the Madison College experience and get help with the admissions process
After Acceptance
Once you have been accepted in a pre-program status, your next step is to complete the Petition Requirements. See the Petition information in the next section.
Additional Notes
Students are required to meet the current admission and petition requirements. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Veterinary Technician career.
It's Free to Apply
Petition
After Admission (Petition Requirements)
Run a Degree Progress Report to confirm which pre-program requirements are satisfied/not satisfied and specific ways to satisfy requirements.
Complete the Petition Requirements for Veterinary Technician. Courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. A grade of C- will not be accepted.
Mandatory workshop in Brightspace
Prerequisites:
Algebra (testing, college coursework or bachelor’s degree in a related biological science)
Chemistry (high school or college coursework)
English and Reading (testing, college coursework or bachelor’s degree)
Course Requirement:
Principles of Animal Biology
Petitioning
This program petitions for entry into the following term:
Fall - Petition window opens on April 1
Review the Petition Process for details on how and when to petition.
After Petitioning
If awarded a seat, you will receive instructions regarding the below required items. If you do not complete the required items, it may result in losing your seat and starting the application process from the beginning.
A background check is not required for entry into the Veterinary Technician program. However, convictions of crimes or pending charges may be grounds for denial of license if the circumstances of the conviction or charge are related to professional practice. Contact the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for more information at 608.224.4353 or email at datcpVEB@wi.gov.
Complete the Veterinary Sciences Job Shadow Form.
Consult your physician:
It is recommended that Veterinary Technician students get a physical exam before starting the program
It is required for all students to receive the 2-dose pre-exposure rabies vaccinations prior to entering the Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Technician programs. Additional information: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/hcp/veterinarians/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/pre-exposure_vaccinations.html
Attend a mandatory Advising and Registration session. Students awarded a seat in the core program will receive additional information on these sessions.
Enroll in core program courses. Students who are awarded a seat are expected to start the core program courses for the awarded term. Students who choose not to begin the core program courses or are not able to begin core program courses may be discontinued from pre-program status.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at enrollmentservices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Transfer Opportunities

UW System Schools
UW Oshkosh
The terms of the B.S in Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S degrees and are admitted to the Human Services Leadership at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
UW Platteville
This latest program-to-program articulation agreement revision between UW-Platteville and Madison College allows the opportunity for Madison College students who have earned the Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology, to be awarded a minimum of 64-65 credits upon entry to University of Wisconsin-Platteville and the Bachelor of Science in Animal Science at a junior level standing. Six (6) UW-Platteville transfer students will be guaranteed seats in the Madison College-Veterinary Technician freshmen class. These 6 seats will be filled by qualified applicants in the order of their application completion date.
UW River Falls
Outlines two-way transfer pathway between programs.
Wisconsin Private Schools
Carroll University
This program-to-program articulation agreement between Carroll University and Madison College allows students to transfer to Carroll University after completing the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S). Veterinary Technician, are guaranteed admission to Carroll University and into the Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior program. This agreement is to include Veterinary Technician students that have graduated as of Fall 2021 and after.
Concordia University
Students with an AA, AS or AAS are Advanced Core. Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 60 credits. Students transferring prior to completion or with less than 60 credits are standard core and credits are evaluated course by course.
Lakeland University
Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Completion of an A.A.S. Degree at Madison College after 2015, and meeting admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a B.B.A degree in Technical Sales at MSOE.
Out-of-State Schools
Bellevue University
Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement.
Capella University
Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring.
Colorado State University Global Campus
Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.
Franklin University
Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of Madison College graduates with an AA, AS, or AAS. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer up to 94 additional credits toward their baccalaureate degree.
University of Missouri
This agreement provides students who have earned an Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Technician (AAS-VT) the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology (BSVT) at MU.

Career Outcomes

Madison College Veterinary Technician Program prepares graduates for entry level veterinary technician positions. Our mission is to provide accessible, high-quality, learning experiences in the field of Veterinary Medicine to improve animal and human health.

Participate in facility management utilizing traditional and electronic media and appropriate Veterinary Medical Terminology and abbreviations.
Communicate in a professional manner in all formats, written, oral, nonverbal and electronic.
Read and follow protocols and procedures accurately and within time constraints.
Work as a team member demonstrating initiative, and applying time and stress management techniques.
Identify and manage stressful and emotional work situations.
Follow and uphold applicable laws and the veterinary technology profession’s ethical code to provide high quality care to patients.
Safely and effectively administer prescribed drugs to patients, and accurately dispense and explain drugs to clients.
Demonstrate and perform patient assessment techniques, husbandry, nutrition, therapeutic and dentistry techniques in a variety of animal species (including laboratory animal species, companion animals and food animals).
Safely and effectively manage patients in all phases of anesthetic procedures, as well as safely and effectively select, utilize and maintain anesthetic delivery and monitoring instruments and equipment.
Demonstrate and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical procedures in a variety of animal species.
Properly package, handle and store specimens for laboratory analysis, properly carry out analysis of laboratory specimens. (Blood, urine, feces, tissues, skin scrapes, discharge, body fluids)
Safely and effectively produce diagnostic images.

Veterinary Technician National Exam Scores

January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024

The three-year pass rate (based on a September 1 to September 1 reporting year) on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE): 75.2% pass rate for first-time test takers (National average is 64%).
The number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE, for the corresponding timeframe as the reported VTNE pass rate: 117 first-time test takers.

Graduate Summary

Graduate Report Summary Overview
Count Percents	2022	2023	2024
Number of Program Graduates	29	56	42
Number of Surveys Sent	29	56	42
Number of Surveys Returned	14	40	21
Percent of Surveys Returned
Available for Employment	14	38	16
Percent Available for Employment	100.0%	95.0%	76.2%
Not in Labor Market
Percent Not in Labor Market	0.0%	5.0%	9.5%

Available for Employment
Count Percents	2022	2023	2024
Graduates Employed	14	37	15
Percent of Graduates Employed	100.0%	97.4%	93.8%
Employed in Related Occupation	12	35	15
Percent Employed in Related Occupation	85.7%	94.6%	100.0%
Employed in Unrelated Occupation	2	2	0
Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation	14.3%	5.4%	0.0%
Employed - No Response	0	0	0
Percent Employed - No Response	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Seeking Employment	0	1	1
Percent Seeking Employment	0.0%	2.6%	6.3%

Reaction To Training at Madison College
Count Percents	2022	2023	2024
Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)	3.2	3.5	3.2
Number of Satisfaction Responses	14	40	18
Very Satisfied (4)	4	18	5
Percent Very Satisfied	28.6%	45.0%	27.8%
Satisfied (3)	9	22	12
Percent Satisfied	64.3%	55.0%	66.7%
Unsatisfied (2)	1	0	1
Percent Unsatisfied	7.1%	0.0%	5.6%
Very Unsatisfied (1)
Percent Very Unsatisfied	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
Count Percents	2022	2023	2024
Number of Primary Reason Responses	14	40	18
Preparation for Getting a Job
Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
Career Change
Percent Career Change
Improvement of Existing Skills
Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
Preparation for Further Education
Percent Preparation for Further Education
Personal Interest
Percent Personal Interest
Other
Percent Other	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

When Employment was Obtained
Count Percents	2022	2023	2024
Number of When Employment Obtained Responses	14	37	15
Before Enrollment	4	15	5
Percent Before Enrollment	28.6%	40.5%	33.3%
While Attending the College	5	13	7
Percent While Attending the College	35.7%	35.1%	46.7%
After Training at the College	5	9	3
Percent After Training at the College	35.7%	24.3%	20.0%

Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
Count Percents	2022	2023	2024
Number of Employment Location Responses	14	37	18
In College District	10	25	12
Percent In College District	71.4%	67.6%	66.7%
In Wisconsin, Not in District	3	8	3
Percent of In Wisconsin	21.4%	21.6%	16.7%
Outside of Wisconsin	1	1	0
Percent Outside Wisconsin	7.1%	2.7%	0.0%
Employer Location Unknown	0	3	3
Percent Location Unknown	0.0%	8.1%	16.7%

Salary Trend
Salary Trend		2022	2023	2024
Full Time Employment (Related Job)	Full Time Salary Count	9	31	12
	Average Monthly Wage	$3,140	$3,382	$3,737
	Average Hourly Wage	$18.26	$19.66	$21.73
	Average Work Hours per Week	39.6	40.5	40.4
Part Time Employment (Related Job)	Part Time Salary Count	1	1	3
	Average Hourly Wage	$19.00	$17.00	$20.50
	Average Work Hours per Week	29.0	30.0	21.3

Graduate Employers

Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024
Employer(s)	Job Title	City*
Baraboo Valley Veterinary Clinic	Certified Veterinary Technician	Baraboo
Brodhead Veterinary Medical Center	Veterinary Technician	Brodhead
Companion Animal Hospital	Certified Veterinary Technician
Country Hills Animal Health	Certified Veterinary Technician	Eden
Dept of Veterans Affairs	Certified Veterinary Technician
Healthy Pet Veterinary Clinic	Veterinary Technician
Johnson Creek Veterinary Care	Certified Veterinary Technician	Johnson Creek
Kronenwetter Veterinary Care	Certified Veterinary Technician	Mosinee
Lodi Veterinary Hospital	Certified Veterinary Technician	Lodi
Progressive Veterinary Svices	Certified Veterinary Technician	Wisconsin Rapids
Truesdell Animal Care Hospital	Certified Veterinary Technician
UW - Madison School of Veterinary Medicine	Veterinary Technician
UW Madison's Veterinary Teaching Hospital	Veterinary Nurse
Village Animal Clinic	Veterinary Technician	Oregon
Wisconsin Community Veterinary Center	Special Surgery Dental Assistant

* - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!

Contact the School of Health Sciences

Madison Truax Campus
Health Building, 141

1705 Hoffman Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

healthsciences@madisoncollege.edu
608.616.1250

Hours

Monday – Wednesday: 8 am - 4 pm
Thursday: 8 am - 4 pm (Help by phone or email)
Friday: 8 am - 12 pm (Help by phone or email)

Program Overview

Common Veterinary Technician Duties

Program Requirements

Transfer Credit

Program Details

Careers

Resources

Accreditation

Curriculum and Experience

Admission

Petition

Transfer Opportunities

Career Outcomes

Related Program