Learn the skills you need to properly care for the animals you love and get started on your career as a veterinary assistant.
student holding a goat
91%
Work Local
91% of our recent graduates work in Wisconsin.
Great Job Outlook
20% projected employment growth for veterinary assistants between 2022 and 2032.
92%
Job Placement
92% job placement within six months of graduation.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’d like to learn more about the Veterinary Assistant 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.

Send us your contact information, and we’ll help you get started right away!

Indicates required field
Text message opt in:
No spam, we promise!
Veterinary Assistant
Program Number: 310913
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Science, Math and Natural Resources
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
28 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
net price calculator sketch
What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$5,179.48

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    The Veterinary Assistant program at Madison College will prepare you to care for animals in a variety of professions. 

    Great veterinary assistants love animals, are compassionate, detail-oriented and good communicators. As a vet assistant, your job is to support the veterinarian and vet tech with tasks. Typical duties include cleaning enclosures, feeding, weighing, bathing, taking temperatures, restraining animals during treatment and giving medications.

    The Veterinary Assistant program at Madison College helps students gain confidence through hands-on learning. While in the Vet Assistant program you will learn:

    • Veterinary medical terminology
    • Disease causes and symptoms.
    • Animal anatomy and physiology 
    • Safe animal handling
    • How to give medications
    • How to collect blood from a variety of species
    • How to prepare and aid in surgeries
    • Office duties such as record-keeping
    • How to educate and support clients 

    In addition to classes and lab time, you’ll get real-world experience working in a clinic where you will practice your skills in animal care, nursing techniques and procedures.. 

    Program Details

    Veterinary Assistant students are required to take classes full-time. 

    Classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.

    While in the Veterinary Assistant program, you must demonstrate the ability to perform essential functions as defined by the Board of Veterinary Medicine. 

    Careers

    Veterinary Assistants work alongside Veterinary Technicians and Veterinarians to help care for and nurse animals. You can find employment in a variety of settings such as a:

    • Veterinary clinic
    • Animal shelter
    • Pet store
    • Doggy daycare
    • Boarding facilities
    Veterinary Technician

    With one more year of study, you can go on to become a Veterinary Technician.

  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 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
    10-806-105
    4 credits
    First Semester
    10-091-107
    2 credits
    10-091-140
    3 credits
    10-091-170
    2 credits
    10-091-171
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-091-108
    2 credits
    10-091-109
    2 credits
    10-091-123
    2 credits
    10-091-172
    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 no current estimated wait time 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.
       
    • 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.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Veterinary Assistant career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Petition

    After Acceptance

    After you have been admitted into a pre-program status, complete all of the Petition Requirements for your program. Login to your student account and run a Degree Progress Report to review the Petition Requirements and see which requirements you have completed and which need to be satisfied.

    Requirements vary by program, and may include some or all of the following:

    • Petition Workshop: This is done online and can be found in Blackboard after you have been admitted in a pre-program status
    • Prerequisites (examples: Algebra, Geometry, Chemistry, Biology, English and Reading): This varies by program
    • Course Requirements (examples: Anatomy and Physiology, Intro to Psychology, etc.): This varies by program
    • Testing Requirement (examples: ACT, HESI, TEAS): This varies by program

    You can view the Petition Requirements for this program using the link below.

    Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

    After completing the petition requirements, students are then selected for entry into core-program courses through the Petition Process.

    Questions?

    Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

  • Career Outcomes

    Graduates of the Veterinary Assistant Program gain the knowledge, skills and abilities to advance employment in the veterinary health care industry.  Students in the VA Program can decide to continue their degree into the Veterinary Technician 2 year (4 semester) Program.  Students that complete the 2-year associates degree are able to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and become a Certified Veterinary Technician.  

    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      2023
      Number of Program Graduates34
      Number of Surveys Sent34
      Number of Surveys Returned34
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment7
      Percent Available for Employment20.6%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market79.4%
      Available for Employment

      2023
      Graduates Employed7
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.0%
      Employed in Related Occupation7
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation100.0%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation0
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation0.0%
      Employed - No Response0
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%
      Seeking Employment0
      Percent Seeking Employment0.0%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      2023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.2
      Number of Satisfaction Responses21
      Very Satisfied (4)5
      Percent Very Satisfied23.8%
      Satisfied (3)15
      Percent Satisfied71.4%
      Unsatisfied (2)1
      Percent Unsatisfied4.8%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)0
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      2023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses34
      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 Other0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      2023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses7
      Before Enrollment3
      Percent Before Enrollment42.9%
      While Attending the College4
      Percent While Attending the College57.1%
      After Training at the College0
      Percent After Training at the College0.0%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      2023
      Number of Employment Location Responses7
      In College District3
      Percent In College District42.9%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District4
      Percent of In Wisconsin57.1%
      Outside of Wisconsin0
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown0
      Percent Location Unknown0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend2023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count3
      Average Monthly Wage$2,612
      Average Hourly Wage$15.19
      Average Work Hours per Week38.3
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count4
      Average Hourly Wage$19.52
      Average Work Hours per Week21.5
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Brodhead Veterinary Medical CenterVeterinary AssistantBrodhead2
      Lodi Veterinary HospitalVeterinary Technician AssistantLodi
      Madison Veterinary SpecialistsVeterinary Assistant
      Pineview Vet HospitalVeterinary AssistantWaunakee
      Racine Veterinary HospitalVeterinary AssistantRacine
      Veterinary VillageVeterinary AssistantLomira

      * - 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

Ready to take the next step?
If you are interested in seeking an associate degree, diploma or certificate, your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply!
Contact the School of Health Sciences

Madison Truax Campus
Health Building, 103

1705 Hoffman Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

healthsciences@madisoncollege.edu
608.616.1250

Hours

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