Prepare for the growing Veterinary field as a Veterinary Technician
Pursue your passion and play a crucial role in improving the health and wellbeing of animals with our Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning – Online Program
Job Growth & Stability
Employment of veterinary technicians is projected to grow 19% from 2023-2033, much faster than the average for all occupations per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rising number of households with pets and the availability of advanced treatment options will contribute to the increasing need for these professionals over the next decade.
Opportunities for Advancement
The field of veterinary medicine is constantly evolving with new advancements in technology, treatments, and procedures. The mission of Murray State College Veterinary Nursing program is to produce graduates who will be a credentialed professional member of the veterinary medical team and excellent providers of quality health care for animals.
Distance Learning Options
With our Distance Learning Program, you can learn at your own pace. We have constructed 3 different tracks for our students that we hope will promote learning in addition to yielding optimal results upon taking the national exam post-graduation. Currently, we are offering
- Online courses
- 2-Year Track, 3-Year Track, and 4-Year Track.
- Hands on skills performed in an approved veterinary clinic
Is the Murray State College Veterinary Nursing program accredited?
Yes! The Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Nursing is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA), which develops standards and reviews programs in veterinary technology and represents the highest standard of achievement for veterinary medical education in the US.
Program Requirements and Course Details
Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Nursing
Discover the perfect blend of passion-driven learning, purposeful education, and opportunities for professional growth within our Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Nursing program.
Embedded hands-on experiences allow students to apply course concepts in real-life veterinary nursing environments, culminating in a formal externship designed to facilitate occupational experience with an approved veterinary practice or allied area. Areas of study include:
- Veterinary Nursing Principles – The anatomy, physiology, diseases, pathology, and pharmacology of small and large domestic animals and the handling, restraint, nutrition, breeding, and common diseases of wild, zoo, and laboratory animals
- Vet Technician Skills – Clinical pathology, surgical nursing, veterinary dentistry, dental hygiene, veterinary imaging (radiology, ultrasound), and clinical nutrition
- Veterinary Hospital Management – Building a winning team, management/supervision of employees, front office procedures, revenues and financial controls, accounting/bookkeeping, industry software, inventory control, marketing, client relations, and personnel skills
- Client Education – Effective interpersonal and communication skills to convey information, build rapport with clients and colleagues, and provide instructions to help improve the health and well-being of animals
Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), offered through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), used by most states* and provincial agencies to evaluate competency and credential Registered Veterinary Technicians.
Registered Veterinary Technicians can perform in a variety of roles with diverse responsibilities, such as:
- Anesthetists
- Animal Nurses
- Behavioral Consultants
- Clinical Laboratory Techs
- Critical Care Specialists
- Dental Hygienists
- Laser Therapists
- Nutritional Consultants
- Pharmacy Techs
- Phlebotomists
- Practice Managers
- Radiology Techs
- Rehabilitators
- Surgical Assistants
- Veterinary Educators
- Wound Managers
Veterinary technicians serve an integral role in providing quality healthcare for animals in a variety of settings, with career opportunities in diverse work environments such as:
- Companion Animal Practice
- Diagnostic Laboratories
- Emergency and Critical Care Practice
- Equine Practice
- Equine Race Tracks
- Exotic Practices
- Farm Management
- Federal and State Regulatory Agencies
- Food Animal Practice
- Medical Research
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Rescue and Humane Associations
- Specialty Practices
- US Armed Forces
- Veterinary Supplies and Sales
- Veterinary Teaching Hospitals
- Wild Animal Parks
- Zoological Parks
Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Nursing Degree Requirements
18-20 credit hours in general education courses
56 credit hours in core requirements
If you would like to receive a tentative evaluation of transfer credit,
please contact Online Admissions at 580.319.5453 or online@mscok.edu
General Education Requirements
| Course # | Course Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 1113 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 1213 | English Composition II (or) SPC 1113 Fundamentals of Speech | 3 |
| HST 1483 | US History to 1877 (or) HST 1493 US History since 1877 | 3 |
| GVT 1113 | American Federal Government | 3 |
| BIO 1114 | General Biology (or) BIO 1404 Principles of Biology (or) CHM 1114 Chemistry I | 4 |
| General Education Elective (1-3 Credit) See catalog for a list of courses. | 1-3 | |
| COL 1211 | Success Strategies | 1 |
Veterinary Nursing Core Requirements
Note: The Associate of Applied Science Degree and/or the credits in Veterinary Nursing are discipline specific and do not substitute for or transfer to pre-veterinary medical school curriculum.
| Course # | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| VN 1112 | Veterinary Nursing Math for Meds | 2 |
| VN 1114 | Anatomy of Domestic Animals | 4 |
| VN 1121 | Introduction to Veterinary Nursing Clinical Skills | 1 |
| VN 1123 | Introduction to Veterinary Nursing | 3 |
| VN 1211 | Veterinary Clinical Pathology I Clinical Skills | 1 |
| VN 1213 | Veterinary Clinic Pathology I | 3 |
| VN 1223 | Physiology of Domestic Animals | 3 |
| VN 1233 | Veterinary Nursing Pharmacology | 3 |
| VN 1241 | Small Animal Medical Nursing Clinical Skills | 1 |
| VN 1243 | Small Animal Medical Nursing | 3 |
| VN 2111 | Veterinary Imaging Clinical Skills | 1 |
| VN 2112 | Veterinary Imaging | 2 |
| VN 2133 | Veterinary Anesthesia and Pain Management | 3 |
| VN 2143 | Diseases and Clinical Nutrition of Domestic Animals | 3 |
| VN 2151 | Veterinary Clinical Pathology II Clinical Skills | 1 |
| VN 2153 | Veterinary Clinical Pathology II | 3 |
| VN 2201 | Veterinary Hospital Management | 1 |
| VN 2211 | Large Animal Medical Nursing Clinical Skills | 1 |
| VN 2213 | Large Animal Medical Nursing | 3 |
| VN 2221 | Veterinary Dentistry | 1 |
| VN 2231 | Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgical Nursing Clinical Skills | 1 |
| VN 2233 | Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgical Nursing | 3 |
| VN 2241 | Laboratory, Avian, & Exotic Animals Clinical Skills | 1 |
| VN 2242 | Laboratory, Avian & Exotic Animals | 2 |
| VN 2336 | Veterinary Nursing Externship | 6 |
*To learn more about registration requirements for your state, please visit “Find Regulatory Board Information” supported by the AAVSB.
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