collageWhether you’re looking for information on Penn Foster’s vet tech program or just want to find out more about the VTNE, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve spent a lot of time researching this topic and we’re going to share everything we’ve learned with you so that when you’re ready to take the exam, you’ll have all the information you need.
While it may be tempting to just focus on the VTNE pass rate, it’s important to remember that there are many other factors that can affect your success. So what does this mean for students?
It means that if your school doesn’t have a high pass rate, but has a great reputation, then it might still be worth considering. For example, Texas A&M University has one of the lowest rates in Texas (36%), but is consistently ranked as one of the top veterinary schools in the nation by US News & World Report. In addition, they offer an accelerated masters program which puts them above many other universities when it comes to preparing students for success on exams like these.
Not only is passing the VTNE important for getting into vet school (which is why it’s so competitive), but also because veterinarians are highly sought after professionals who work with animals every day!
Penn Foster College offers students a convenient, comprehensive, and rewarding pathway to a fulfilling career as a veterinary technician through its online associate degree program. As 1 out of 7 training programs in the nation to have earned full American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accreditation, Penn Foster College’s veterinary technician program stands apart from the competition, providing students the opportunity to earn the Associate of Science degree, receive thorough preparation for the VTNE licensing exam, and achieve success in a rapidly growing career field.
Careers in veterinary technology are growing at an unprecedented rate—projections show employment opportunities expanding nearly 20% from 2014 to 2024. Demand for qualified veterinary technicians is high across all sectors of this exciting industry and Penn Foster College is here to provide you with the education you need to succeed!
With Penn Foster College’s Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Program, you can get started today and gain the skills needed for your future career working alongside veterinarians and other animal health professionals.
Results That Speak for Themselves
Roughly 95% of all graduates of Penn Foster College’s program pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), typically achieving scores that are at least 20% higher than nationwide averages. This record of success is attributable to the comprehensive nature of the instruction received by students, including lectures delivered and materials produced by numerous experts in the field of veterinary technology.
Overview of Coursework and Hands-On Clinical Training
Students enrolled in the four-semester degree program will study subjects including animal physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, imaging techniques, surgical procedures and animal immunology. In addition, students will receive instruction in veterinary practice management topics such as business writing, records management, computer technology and medical mathematics. In order to provide degree candidates with hands-on experience in the field, all students are required to complete two on-site practicums of 225 hours each in a clinical setting.
Learn at Your Own Pace, On Your Own Schedule
The distance learning program offered by Penn Foster College begins almost immediately upon enrollment and registration. The college offers more than 30 different career-focused associate degrees that can be completed from the comfort of your own home, and all you need to get started is a computer and internet access.
Course materials are easily accessed via the college’s website, and additional books and study guides are shipped directly to the student. Lessons are completed online at the student’s own direction, and webinars and discussion forums round out the learning process. Instructional support is available by phone and email, as is direct contact with course instructors. Once each lesson area is completed, an examination is administered. Once a passing score has been achieved, the next lesson in the sequence can be accessed. At the conclusion of each semester, a proctored final exam is given to all students. In order to receive an Associate of Science Degree, a student must receive passing grades in all courses, and earn a Quality Point Average (QPA) of 2.0 or greater.
Tuition & Fees
Options for Paying Penn Foster College Tuition and Fees
Penn Foster College offers a number of options for payment of tuition and fees, including financing assistance. The full cost of the first of four required semesters is $1,535.00, which includes registration and admissions fees. The price also includes all course materials, books, and related items. However, a $225.00 discount is offered for students able to pay the full amount upon enrollment. Students who make an initial down payment followed by monthly automatic credit card payments or bank withdrawals will pay $1,410.00 for the semester. All others will pay the full tuition and fee amount.
Students who choose to make monthly payments will receive an invoice each month by mail or email indicating the amount due and the date it should be paid by. Payment is also accepted by telephone through Customer Service at 1-888-427-1000.
Tuition and fees are refunded in accordance with state laws in the event that students drop courses before their start date or withdraw within 30 days after their start date.
VTNE Pass Rate By School
The AVMA recently granted initial accreditation to two veterinary technician programs—Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, and Cape Fear Community College in Castle Hayne, North Carolina—and withdrew accreditation from two others—Argosy University-Twin Cities in Eagan, Minnesota, and Vista College in Lubbock, Texas.
The AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities made these decisions during its April 25-28 meeting in Schaumburg, Illinois. The committee also placed three schools on terminal accreditation—The Vet Tech Institute at International Business College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which will close in February, and the Baker College programs in Flint and Clinton Township, Michigan, which will both close this coming May.
The Commission on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) has approved the accreditation of 15 new programs at the associate degree level and 6 new programs at the bachelor’s degree level. It also recognized 19 continuing education providers.
In addition to these accreditation decisions, the CVTEA made changes to its Standards of Accreditation policy, specifically in Standard 9e, Standard 10d, and Standard 10e. In addition, the committee made changes to its essential and recommended skills list. The committee is requesting feedback regarding its standards and sections of Appendix H, equipment and instructional resources list; and Appendix I, essential and recommended skills list for January 2020. Those comments and feedback can be sent to Julie Horvath, CVTEA accreditation manager in the AVMA Education and Research Division.
VTNE Scores update
As previously reported by JAVMA News, the CVTEA made a change to its Accreditation Policies and Procedures Manual to require that every veterinary technology program publicly report the number of students who took the Veterinary Technician National Exam for the first time and the three-year mean pass percentage. Programs are no longer required to post the number of eligible first-time candidates.
The VTNE evaluates whether graduates of veterinary technology programs have the entry-level knowledge needed to practice and be credentialed.
Based on publicly available information, several programs have improved their three-year mean pass percentage. The following 12 programs have improved their pass rate to above 50% for the most recent period of July 2016-June 2019:
- Platt College-Ontario (California): 53%.
- Platt College-Riverside (California): 75%.
- Pima Medical Institute-Aurora (Colorado): 60.5%.
- Northeast Iowa Community College: 61.5%.
- Pima Medical Institute-Tucson (Arizona): 77.77%
- Carrington College-Pleasant Hill (California): 62.71%.
- Carrington College-San Jose (California): 68.86%.
- Colby Community College (on-campus students) (Kansas): 66.67%.
- Murray State College (Kentucky): 82.58%.
- Miller-Motte College (North Carolina): 59.6%.
- Wilson College (Pennsylvania): 62.5% (July 2014–June 2017).
- McLennan Community College (Texas): 74%.
Pima Medical Institute, a private for-profit medical career college that operates veterinary technology programs at 12 locations, has worked to improve the scores of its Tucson, Arizona, and Aurora, Colorado, campuses over the past year. These institutions have increased their scores partly by implementing weekend and evening tutoring sessions and creating a curriculum with an increased focus on math and pharmacology, according to Pima Medical.
“We have also spent significant time concentrating on the emotional side of taking a board exam. We focus on exam preparation, stress management, and other exam performance techniques. Now that we have increased our VTNE pass rates, our students are even more motivated to take and pass the VTNE,” said Kate Arnold, a certified veterinary technician and veterinary technician program director at Pima Medical Institute-Aurora.
The following programs are publicly reported as below the 50% pass rate for the period of July 2016-June 2019:
- Platt College-Alhambra (California): 49.49%.
- San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno (California): 32.33% (July 2015-June 2018).
- Fort Valley State University (Georgia): 46% (July 2015-June 2018).
- Independence Community College (Kansas): 35%.
- Northshore Technical Community College (Louisiana): 38.88%.
- Ross College-North Canton (Ohio): 37.50%.
- Pierpont Community and Technical College (West Virginia): 40% (July 2015-June 2018).
- Southern Regional Technical College (Georgia): 46.4% (July 2015–June 2018).
If these school don’t make improvements within the next year, they may face a change in their accreditation status.
Veterinary technology programs must update their VTNE information on the program’s website by Sept. 1 of each calendar year, according to the CVTEA. If a program fails to update its scores by the deadline, CVTEA staff will send a letter to notify the program that it needs to update its information. Typically, programs are given 30 days to do so; however, there are some challenges with updating a webpage as website maintenance usually falls beyond the direct purview of the program.
Some programs had not received the official results of the last VTNE testing window, as of publication, and could not update the scores.
Penn Foster Veterinary Technician
Veterinary Studies Online
For over a century, Penn Foster has been one of the leading names in distance education. We offer programs for every level of student, from high school diploma courses to advanced degrees. Whatever your interests or skill set, we can help you find the right program to grow your skills.
If you love animals and want to learn more about their care, Penn Foster offers a variety of online veterinary and pet care programs. Our Veterinary Academy is one of the leading animal health programs in the United States, and includes faculty members who are real practitioners and experts in their fields, with some who have published books in their area of study.
You can learn on your own schedule and at a pace that’s right for you, so whether you want to get started quickly or take more time to master a subject, we are here to support you throughout your learning journey!
Penn Foster College¹
Degrees
- Veterinary Technology Bachelor’s Degree
- Veterinary Technician Associate Degree
Career Diplomas
- Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor Career Diploma
- Veterinary Assistant Career Diploma
Undergraduate Certificate
- Veterinary Practice Management Undergraduate Certificate
Penn Foster Career School
Career Certificates
- Pet Grooming Certificate
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