High School with Veterinary Assistant Career Pathway

Vet Assistant Program

Veterinary assistants help animals and their clients by assisting veterinary technicians and veterinarians with handling of pets, exams, and front office work. If you’re considering a career that allows you to help animals, our online high school vet assistant program can help you prepare to take your first steps toward the job you want. You’ll complete your online high school core classes, like English, science, and math, then you’ll take five elective classes that cover the foundational skills needed to be a successful veterinary assistant. Three of the five concentration electives in the High School Diploma with Vet Assistant Program are transferable to the NAVTA-approved Penn Foster Veterinary Assistant Career Diploma, helping you get a head start on your training after you graduate.

Save up to $450 Ends 6/13/2023

cost of program

$949

$1,399 Save $450

or

$55/month, Start for as low as $20

1-888-427-6200 (9AM - 9PM EST)

veterinary assistant with a golden retriever.

Vet Assistant Career Pathways Courses

General High School Courses

Orientation (Select two of the following courses.)

Humanities

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Health & Physical Education

Electives: Vocational

Electives: Academic/College Preparation

Electives: General

  • Technology Requirements - As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need access to high-speed internet to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 10® or later or an Apple® Mac® computer running macOS® Sierra Version 11.2 or later, access to a word processing program to complete written assignments, and an email account to complete this program with Penn Foster.

    Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

    Apple, Mac, and macOS are trademarks of Apple, Inc. registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Veterinary Assistant

Skilled veterinary assistants are currently in-demand, meaning there are plenty of opportunities available to find jobs in the field. Most veterinary assistants work in private or corporate clinics, animal hospitals, or emergency clinics.

AVG SALARY*

$29,780/yr

NUMBER OF JOBS*

103,500

JOB GROWTH*

19%

State Licensing

Licensing and/or certification requirements for veterinary jobs are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered in the Penn Foster Program. Prospective students should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in this Program. Click here for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

FAQs

What classes should I take in high school to become a veterinary assistant?

If you’re interested in becoming a veterinary assistant, you can start preparing by taking veterinary-focused classes in high school. With our online Vet Assistant High School Pathway, you can earn your diploma while learning the basics of anatomy and physiology, terminology, and animal handling and restraint.

 

How do I get experience as a veterinary assistant?

Most people get vet assistant experience once they secure an entry-level job in the field. However, you can also gain experience through volunteering, furthering your education after high school, and externship opportunities. After completing your vet assistant career path high school diploma, you’ll have a head start on completing the NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant Career Diploma. As part of the program, you’ll take part in a required externship, allowing you to gain experience and apply what you learned to real-world situations.

 

Do you need a high school diploma to become a veterinary assistant?

Veterinary assistants need a high school diploma or equivalent to meet the minimum requirements for the job. While you don’t necessarily need to study to become a vet assistant and many employers don’t require certification, having a veterinary assistant diploma can help you stand out from other applicants.

 

What is the current outlook for the veterinary medicine industry?

The veterinary medicine industry is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As more people are becoming pet owners and more emphasis is placed on pet wellness, the need for skilled vet assistants will offer a variety of opportunities to start your veterinary career path.

Need more info or ready to enroll?

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