The Importance of Accreditation Deciding on the ideal veterinary technician school program to fit your education and career goals can be a challenging step. One of the most important factors when you are choosing a veterinary technician school is the program's accreditation. Accreditation means that a school, university or program has been reviewed and approved by a third-party accrediting organization, stating that the veterinary technician school meets or exceeds the organization's standards. Associate's and bachelor's degree programs are the most common accredited courses of study in a veterinary technician school. For a veterinary technician education program to qualify for accreditation, the school is required to offer hands-on laboratory or clinical experience as well as classroom study.  The Veterinary Technician School Accrediting Body The most influential accrediting organization in the veterinary field is the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA). The AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities is recognized by the US Department of Education and is responsible for the review process that sets the standards veterinary technician schools must meet before earning the accreditation. The AVMA publishes a list of accredited veterinary technician schools that have passed their review process. Accreditation is voluntary. Not all schools choose to go through the expensive review process, while other schools may apply but fail to meet the requirements of the accrediting body. For this reason, accreditation is a good way for schools to distinguish themselves as meeting a high standard of quality. Attending an accredited veterinary technician school has multiple advantages:
- Federal financial aid is only available to programs with accreditation through an agency recognized by the US Department of Education.
- Graduating from an accredited program tells employers that you have met the education standards of your program and the AVMA professional community as an educated veterinary technician.
- Students attending a nationally accredited veterinary technician school are able to transfer earned credits to another nationally accredited program.
Types of Accreditation Credits earned at a nationally accredited school transfer easily to other nationally accredited programs, but they are not usually accepted at colleges holding a regional accreditation. However, credits from a regionally accredited program are accepted by nationally accredited programs, and are also usually accepted by other regionally accredited programs. The six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the Department of Education are generally regarded as holding education programs to a higher set of standards: - Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NASC)
- Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NASC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
In most states you need to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) to become a licensed or certified veterinary technician. One of the prerequisites for the exam is to graduate from an accredited veterinary technician school or from a program recognized by the state. The quality of your education is extremely important to a career in the field of veterinary medicine, and a degree from an accredited school will give you the edge you need to succeed as a veterinary technician. Continue reading about the average vet tech salary and benefits.  |
