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What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Lake Havasu City AZ area and across the United States, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Lake Havasu City AZ area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Lake Havasu City AZ vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Lake Havasu City AZ veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Lake Havasu City AZ veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Lake Havasu City AZ schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Lake Havasu City AZ home, you need to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lake Havasu City AZ. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.