Are you interested in working with animals?
One excellent career option for those who want to work with animals is a vet tech. If this career interests you, you may wonder what type of degree you need.
And one common question many also ask is, “Can I become a Vet Tech with a Biology Degree?”
Let’s find out the answer to that question and learn more about vet techs.
Can I Become A Vet Tech With A Biology Degree?
Yes, a biology degree can help you in becoming a vet tech. But it is best to focus on more specific degrees if vet tech is your ultimate dream career.
The phrase “vet tech” can actually refer to two separate occupations that are remarkably similar: veterinary technician and veterinary technologist.
What’s the Difference Between the two Vet Techs?
An associate’s degree is typically necessary for employment as a veterinary technician, and most jobs are found in private clinical veterinary clinics. Before vet technicians can start work, they must also pass a certification exam, which most states require.
On the other hand, to work as a veterinary technologist, you need to have a bachelor’s degree. In this career, most of the time, you’ll be working in laboratories or research facilities.
Both jobs involve providing care for animals, as well as conducting tests, collecting samples, taking X-rays, and delivering treatment.
There are degree programs specifically in Veterinary Technology. Both associate’s degrees and Bachelor of Science degrees are available. These programs offer students the opportunity to get a significant amount of coursework in pre-veterinary studies.
Students also can earn a bachelor’s degree in a broader field, such as general science or biology. If you do, you’ll want to make sure you take the prerequisite classes for becoming a vet tech.
How To Become A Veterinary Technician
According to the data provided by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, you often need to become a vet tech to get a two-year associate’s degree in veterinary technology. This allows you to work in the field as a technician. If you want, you can do this while continuing your education and work toward earning your bachelor’s degree.
The curriculum emphasizes the study of clinical and laboratory procedures in veterinary medicine, animal behavior, veterinary technology, dentistry, animal nutrition, pharmacology, medical terminology, and hospital management.
Other topics include veterinary technology. These types of programs can be found online and are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. If you want to become a veterinary technician, you should enroll in one of these programs.
How To Be A Veterinary Technologist
Students who get a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology are better prepared for more advanced positions in the field of veterinary technology. Students enrolled in programs leading to a bachelor’s degree have the chance to receive educational experience not only in the classroom but also in laboratories and clinics outside of the university.
The bachelor’s degree program curriculum includes studies on emergency care, large animal nursing, and veterinary hospital marketing.
These subjects are in addition to the basic animal biology and medical courses that are taken in an associate’s degree program. Animal husbandry, veterinary technology, and animal hospital administration are some of the fields that offer employment opportunities to graduates.
To sum it up, it is possible to be a vet tech with a biology degree, but it is best to focus on vet tech degrees if vet tech is your goal.
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