Veterinary Assistant Training

Veterinary assistants have been identified by the U.S. Department of Labor as one of the fastest-growing professions! Vet assistants work with veterinarians in private practice, animal shelters, animal control facilities, pet stores, kennels, and veterinary drug companies. Working with veterinarians and veterinarian technicians, they help to provide medical care to sick and injured animals.

Graduate from MCC's National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)-approved veterinary assistant training and you'll be eligible to sit for the Approved Veterinary Assistant examination. Successfully complete the exam and you'll be entitled to use the designation Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) and you'll receive a documenting certificate.

This is a noncredit career training certificate program that will prepare you to earn an industry-recognized credential.

This course includes 150 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of mandatory clinical experience.

To apply for a scholarship, submit a completed application to the Friends of MCC Foundation. 

See course dates and register for Veterinary Assistant Training »

• How much does the veterinary assistant training program cost?

  The veterinary assistant course is $2,499, which includes the text books, scrubs to be worn to your externship, and course supplies. High school students pay $1,250.

• Is the veterinary assistant training program accredited?

  MCC is one of three community colleges in Illinois to offer NAVTA-approved training. Pass MCC's veterinary assistant course and you'll be eligible to sit for the Approved Veterinary Assistant exam and use the designation “Approved Veterinary Assistant” (AVA) upon successfully passing that exam. The cost of your initial attempt at this exam is included in the course fee.

• Will I gain any real-life experience during this course?

  As part of this course, you complete 100 externship hours at an approved veterinary clinic. Times of clinical experience will vary based on availability and hours of the clinical sites. In order to successfully complete the class, you must successfully complete the clinical hours.

• Will MCC help me find employment as a veterinary technician?

  We don't have a formal job placement program; however, we do receive job opening notices from local employers interested in hiring our graduates and we pass that information along to students who have completed the course. Occasionally, MCC students are hired at the locations where they complete their clinic assignments. Be sure to check Hire A Scot for employment opportunities and schedule an appointment with Career Services to discuss career goals, internship and job search strategies, resume and cover letter development, and practice interviews.