Learn how to help animals remain healthy and happy. Strive to strengthen the human-animal bond.
students with stethscopes looking at a cute dog
85%
Employed
85% of our recent graduates got a job in the industry.
92%
Student Satisfaction
92% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
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 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.

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 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 icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
net price calculator sketch
What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$11,396.60

Financial Aid

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

    Learn about other veterinary technician opportunities.

    Resources

    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 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 Courses
    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
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-091-127
    3 credits
    10-091-128
    2 credits
    10-091-153
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-091-110
    2 credits
    10-091-152
    3 credits
    10-809-197
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    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 Technician 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 links below.

      Fall 2023 and Spring 2024

      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.

    • Transfer Opportunities

      UW System Schools

      The terms of the Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete an associates of applied science degree and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis of the Leadership and Organizational Studies at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. The terms of the Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who have complete an associates of applied science degree and have been admitted to the Human Services Leadership degree at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
      Students who complete the Veterinary Technician Associate Degree can apply to UW-Platteville and transfer up to 48 credits from their Associate Degree. Additional coursework may be transferable to satisfy UW-Platteville general education or breadth requirements.
      This program is open to students who may be admitted to the Madison College veterinary tech program OR students who are admitted to the UW River Falls (UW-RF) Animal Science - Veterinary Technology emphasis. For Madison College students who complete the veterinary technician program are able to transfer to UW-RF for the Animal Science - Veterinary Technician emphasis major. Upon final completion of this articulation agreement students will have earned two degrees- an A.A.S. Veterinary Technician from Madison College and a BS in Animal Science- Vet Tech emphasis from UW-RF.

      Wisconsin Private Schools

      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.
      A student who completes an associate of arts, associate of science or associates of applied science is considered part of the ‘advanced core‘. The Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 64 credits of transfer. If students transfer prior to completion or with less than 64 credits they will be considered part of the standard core and credits will be evaluated on a course by course basis.
      Students will be granted admission to a bachelors degree program upon completion of an approved transfer program at Madison College. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while at Madison College. Regardless of the number of credits transferred students must complete at least 25% of their baccalaureate degree credits at Herzing University 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.
      Any Madison College student who has successfully completed an associate degree in applied science after 2015, and meets admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Technical Sales at MSOE by successfully completing the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Business Administration program. --- In particular, any Madison College student who successfully completes all technical courses and general education courses in their AAS program with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; successfully completes all other specified courses, as defined in this transfer agreement, with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; and meets the MSOE admission requirements for transfer students into the BBA Program at MSOE, minimum 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from the last regionally accredited school will be admitted into the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at MSOE.

      Out-of-State Schools

      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. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue 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. Articulation agreement is for students who graduate from appropriate program and wish to pursue one of the following degrees at Capella: Bachelor of Science in Business specializations, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Public Safety specializations, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (must hold a valid RN license) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
      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 will guarantee acceptance of all Madison College graduates with an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate of Applied Science. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer additional credits (up to a maximum of 94) toward their baccalaureate degree.
      Students who complete an Associate in Applied Science-Veterinary Technician program, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, hold a current license as RVT/CVT/LVT/LVMT. There is no maximum number of credits that can be transferred to Missouri University, but 30 of the last 36 credit hours must be completed with Missouri University authored courses to be applied to the Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology. Transfer students from Madison College VT, meeting the above listed criteria, will be accepted into the VT/BSVT option at Missouri University, College of Veterinary Medicine.
    • 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

      September 1, 2020 - September 1, 2023

      1. The three-year pass rate (based on a September 1 to September 1 reporting year) on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE):  71.6% pass rate for first time test takers (National average is 72%).
      2. The number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE, for the corresponding time frame as the reported VTNE pass rate: 139 first time test takers.

       

      • Graduate Summary

        Graduate Report Summary Overview

        202020212022
        Number of Program Graduates555429
        Number of Surveys Sent555429
        Number of Surveys Returned353714
        Percent of Surveys Returned
        Available for Employment343414
        Percent Available for Employment97.10%91.90%100.00%
        Not in Labor Market
        Percent Not in Labor Market2.90%8.10%0.00%
        Available for Employment

        202020212022
        Graduates Employed313214
        Percent of Graduates Employed91.20%94.10%100.00%
        Employed in Related Occupation293112
        Percent Employed in Related Occupation93.50%96.90%85.70%
        Employed in Unrelated Occupation212
        Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation6.50%3.10%14.30%
        Employed - No Response000
        Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Seeking Employment320
        Percent Seeking Employment8.80%5.90%0.00%
        Reaction To Training at Madison College

        202020212022
        Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.43.23.2
        Number of Satisfaction Responses353714
        Very Satisfied (4)1684
        Percent Very Satisfied45.70%21.60%28.60%
        Satisfied (3)17279
        Percent Satisfied48.60%73.00%64.30%
        Unsatisfied (2)121
        Percent Unsatisfied2.90%5.40%7.10%
        Very Unsatisfed (1)100
        Percent Very Unsatisfied2.90%0.00%0.00%
        Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

        202020212022
        Number of Primary Reason Responses353714
        Preparation for Getting a Job26206
        Percent Preparation for Getting a Job74.30%54.10%42.90%
        Career Change463
        Percent Career Change11.40%16.20%21.40%
        Improvement of Existing Skills344
        Percent Improvement of Existing Skills8.60%10.80%28.60%
        Preparation for Further Education240
        Percent Preparation for Further Education5.70%10.80%0.00%
        Personal Interest031
        Percent Personal Interest0.00%8.10%7.10%
        Other000
        Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
        When Employment was Obtained

        202020212022
        Number of When Employment Obtained Responses313214
        Before Enrollment674
        Percent Before Enrollment19.40%21.90%28.60%
        While Attending the College16165
        Percent While Attending the College51.60%50.00%35.70%
        After Training at the College995
        Percent After Training at the College29.00%28.10%35.70%
        Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

        202020212022
        Number of Employment Location Responses201811
        In College District191310
        Percent In College District95.00%72.20%90.90%
        In Wisconsin, Not in District000
        Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Outside of Wisconsin051
        Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%27.80%9.10%
        Employer Location Unknown100
        Percent Location Unknown5.00%0.00%0.00%
        Salary Trend
        Salary Trend202020212022
        Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count23299
        Average Monthly Wage$2,510$2,830$3,140
        Average Hourly Wage$14.59$16.46$18.26
        Average Work Hours per Week4039.739.6
        Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count421
        Average Hourly Wage$13.34$18.00$19.00
        Average Work Hours per Week202829
      • Graduate Employers

        Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
        Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
        City Dog Vet & GroomingCertified Veterinary Technician
        Healthy Pet Veterinary ClinicCertified Veterinary Technician
        Heritage Animal HospitalCertified Veterinary TechnicianGreenville
        Mazomanie Animal HospitalCertified Veterinary TechnicianMazomanie
        Nature's Preserve Pet CareCertified Veterinary TechnicianSun Prairie
        Pewaukee Veterinary ServiceVeterinary AssistantPewaukee
        Pine River Veterinary ClinicVeterinary TechnicianRichland Center
        Sauk Point Veterinary ClinicCertified Veterinary Technician
        Spring Harbor Animal HospitalVeterinary Assistant
        Token Creek Veterinary ClinicCertified Veterinary TechnicianSun Prairie

        * - 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 get started?
    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, 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)