Veterinary Assistant Program

Are you passionate about caring for animals and looking to turn that passion into a career? Blue Cliff College’s Veterinary Assistant diploma program is your first step toward making it happen.

This program is carefully designed to prepare you for entry-level employment in the fulfilling field of animal care.

What Is a Veterinary Assistant?

Veterinary assistants are a vital part of an animal care team, working under the supervision of veterinarians or veterinary technicians. Veterinary assistants work in various settings, such as private clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, research facilities, or with mobile veterinary services.

Specific tasks that a veterinary assistant might perform could include weighing, feeding, and monitoring animals under care; cleaning exam rooms, operating rooms, and kennels; giving medications or immunizations as directed by a veterinarian; performing or processing basic lab work; and carrying out front-office duties in a veterinary office.

How Long Is the Veterinary Assistant Program?

The Veterinary Assistant program at Blue Cliff College is offered during daytime hours, and the expected time to complete this program is 10 months.

Veterinary Assistant Program Curriculum: What to Expect

Our Veterinary Assistant diploma program provides a strong, well-rounded foundation in the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the veterinary field—from hands-on skills with animals to clinical procedures, office practices, and ethics and law.

The teaching approach at Blue Cliff College seamlessly blends theory/knowledge classes with hands-on practice. Because we know all our students are eager to hit the ground running in their new careers, our learning environment simulates real work settings in the hands-on portion.

Here’s what you can expect to learn in your veterinary assistant coursework, which covers 700 clock hours:

This course introduces you to your role as a vital part of the animal care team. You’ll learn the basics of veterinary office procedures, including greeting clients, answering phones, scheduling appointments, and maintaining medical records. Topics like OSHA safety protocols, cleaning and disinfection, and the human-animal bond are also covered, preparing you for a professional and welcoming workplace.

Understand medical terms and abbreviations commonly used in veterinary care. This course goes beyond terminology to include recognition of large and small animal breeds, identifying normal and abnormal behavior, and learning safe techniques for restraining animals.
Discover how animals’ bodies work, from major organs to body systems. This course also covers grooming, nutrition, basic health care, and determining the sex of animals, helping you provide the best care possible.
Gain hands-on experience with laboratory tests and equipment. You’ll learn how to collect and handle urine, fecal, and blood samples, as well as set up tests or equipment. Handling deceased animals with care and professionalism is also part of this course.
Learn about common medications used in veterinary care, from generic and brand names to how to read and fill prescriptions. You’ll also practice dosing, dispensing, and administering medications, helping ensure animals in your care get the proper treatment they need.
In this course, you will learn safety protocols for diagnostic imaging of animals, and how to process, label, and develop images.
Master the skills needed for routine veterinary tasks, such as performing physical exams, assisting with animal restraint and positioning, and learning basic maintenance techniques like nail trims, ear cleaning, and bathing. You’ll also learn animal CPR in this hands-on course.
Get an introduction to surgical preparation, including sterilization methods, surgical instruments, and maintaining proper documentation and operating room etiquette. Keeping a veterinary facility clean and organized is a key focus of this course.
Professional success comes down to more than just your knowledge of and skills in animal care—how you interact with others in a veterinary work setting matters, too. Prepare for your externship and future job search with lessons in resume building, interview techniques, and workplace professionalism. Topics like teamwork, communication, and continuing education will help you stand out in your career.

When you complete the coursework and all graduation requirements, you’ll be awarded a Veterinary Assisting diploma. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) national certification offered through American Allied Health (AAH).

Veterinary Assistant Externship

As a capstone to your Veterinary Assistant program, you’ll put all your newfound skills into practice during a 180-hour externship in a real veterinary care setting with live animals. Under the supervision of a qualified veterinary professional, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience and build confidence as you transition from student to veterinary professional.

Career Services for Veterinary Assistant Students and Graduates

Our Career Services team is committed to helping both students and alumni of the Veterinary Assistant program successfully launch a career that they have worked so hard for. We offer a wide array of support services to assist, including career development workshops, interview prep, and resume writing assistance.

In addition to helping you put your best foot forward, our Career Services staff work their regional networks to help make connections happen. You may find yourself meeting guest speakers from the veterinary field, participating in job fairs, or meeting a future employer through the networks of instructors or Career Services staff.

Although we offer this valuable assistance, Blue Cliff College cannot guarantee job placement for students upon graduation.

Enrollment Requirements

All applicants to the Blue Cliff College veterinary assistant program need to:

  • Have graduated from high school (or equivalent)
  • Be at least 17 years old
  • Be able to meet the physical requirements of employment in the field
  • Have a score of at least 12 on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam
  • Meet with an admissions representative

Tuition and Fees for Veterinary Assistant Program

As of 2024, the Veterinary Assistant program at Blue Cliff College costs $17,050, including tuition, textbooks, fees, and graduation costs. The fee for the Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) exam is included in tuition if completed within 90 days of graduation.

Financial Aid at Blue Cliff College

Many students at Blue Cliff College are eligible for financial aid, including federal student grants and loans, depending on the results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Veterans who intend to use U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs financial assistance for education should let the admissions office know before registering.

Learn more about financial aid at Blue Cliff College

Licensing Information and Accreditation

Blue Cliff College is:

  • Licensed by the Mississippi Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration (Certificate No. C-736)
  • Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)‡

‡The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) is a recognized accrediting agency by the US Department of Education.

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Veterinary Assistant Campuses