Turn your love of animals into a career. Midwest Institute’s AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technician program prepares you to work alongside veterinarians in clinics, animal hospitals, shelters and research labs. You’ll earn an Associate of Occupational Science (AOS) degree in 64 weeks, with hands-on labs at our Earth City campus near St. Louis.
Vet Tech Program at a Glance
- Next start: Dec 28, 2026 (apply by Dec 18)Apr 5, 2027 (apply by Mar 26)Contact admissions for the next start date
- Credential: Associate of Occupational Science (AOS) degree in Veterinary Technology
- Program length: 64 weeks (73.5 semester credits, 1,440 contact hours)
- Format: Online blended (about 65% online, 35% on campus) or fully on campus
- Schedule: Daytime
- Hands-on training: On-campus veterinary clinic and farm, plus a 240-hour clinical rotation
- Accreditation: AVMA CVTEA programmatic accreditation; ABHES institutional accreditation
- Campus: 4260 Shoreline Drive, Earth City, MO 63045
- Financial aid: Available for those who qualify
Veterinary Technician Program Rabies Vaccination requirement Disclosure
Rabies vaccination is required for all Midwest Institute Veterinary Technology students. The cost of the vaccination is included in the program fees and will be charged to your account upon the start of the program. Students must schedule this vaccination within the first three weeks of the program to be eligible for clinical labs and animal related work. Students must provide documentation of immunization to be compliant with AVMA accreditation standards. It is the student’s responsibility to get the vaccination scheduled and completed in order to remain in the program. Students may schedule individually or the school can schedule a group with the health department.
Each vaccination is $300 to $400 per dose, resulting in an overall cost of $600 to $800 for the 2-dose series. Additional information and guidance on .
What Does a Veterinary Technician Do?
Vet techs are to animals what nurses are to people. A vet tech handles the technical and clinical work so the veterinarian can focus on diagnosing, performing surgery and prescribing medication. The work is incredibly varied, from comforting injured animals (and their worried owners) in an emergency to running routine lab tests.
As a vet tech, you’ll typically:
- Observe the behavior and condition of animals
- Provide nursing care or emergency first aid to recovering or injured animals
- Administer anesthesia and monitor animals’ responses
- Collect blood, urine and tissue samples and run lab tests such as urinalyses and blood counts
- Take X-rays
- Prepare animals and instruments for surgery
- Administer medications, vaccines and treatments prescribed by a veterinarian
- Record patients’ case histories
Vet Techs Are in High Demand
According to the , employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow 9% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3% average for all occupations, with about 13,400 openings each year. The median annual wage was $47,380 in May 2025.
With a vet tech degree from Midwest Institute, you’ll be trained to work in settings like these:
- Veterinary clinic
- Veterinary hospital
- Research laboratory
- Animal control facility
- Humane society or animal shelter
- Zoo or aquarium
- Biomedical facility
- Diagnostic laboratory
- Wildlife facility
- Ranch or farm
What You’ll Learn in Our Vet Tech Program
Our curriculum combines classroom instruction with extensive hands-on training. Instructors include veterinarians and registered veterinary professionals, and our program mascots, along with other patients, give you real experience handling and treating live animals.
- Anatomy and physiology of dogs, cats, birds, horses and ruminants
- Clinical lab work, including hematology, urinalysis, parasitology, dermatology and culture
- Surgical assisting, sterile technique and post-operative care
- Applied veterinary pharmacology and drug calculations
- Radiology
- Public health and zoonotic disease
- Client communication, ethics and veterinary office procedures
You’ll finish with a capstone course and a 240-hour clinical rotation in a working veterinary practice, where you put your skills to work under supervision.
Real Labs. Real Animals.
These are our students, not stock photos. You’ll practice surgery, lab work and patient care with live animals every week.
Hear From Our Vet Tech Students
“Surgery days are my favorite!”
I chose Midwest because of the small class sizes and the online blended classes. On surgery day I got to be an anesthesia technician, which meant I monitored my patient’s vitals and calculated the correct amount of premedication we needed. I felt very supported by my instructors and the DVM!
“My favorite lab was Equines!”
One of my favorite parts of the Vet Tech program has been getting hands-on experience in labs and learning skills that I’ll be able to use in my future career. I chose Midwest Institute because I wanted to turn my passion for animals into a career where I can make a difference.
“Hard, but so rewarding.”
I love how hands-on the program is, and the professors are so sweet. This program has shown me you can accomplish anything as long as you put your mind to it!
Next start: Dec 28, 2026 (apply by Dec 18)Apr 5, 2027 (apply by Mar 26)Contact admissions for the next start date. Talk to admissions about your spot.
Online Blended Vet Tech Program: Online Classes, On-Campus Labs
Need more flexibility? Our online blended format delivers about 65% of the program online, with theory courses taught through live remote classes. Labs are held on campus in Earth City every week, so you still get real, hands-on experience with animals.
- Theory courses online through live remote classes that follow the program schedule
- Weekly hands-on labs at our Earth City campus
- Same curriculum, accreditation and degree as the on-campus program
- Online coursework available to students located in Missouri
Prepare for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)
Graduates of an AVMA-accredited program are eligible to take the VTNE, the national credentialing exam for veterinary technicians. Our program is built to prepare you for it.
Midwest Institute VTNE 3-Year Pass Rate
All students are prepared to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) to work in the field. Our VTNE Results for the January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025, reporting period are available here.
Veterinary Technician AOS Program Graduation and Placement Rates
The Midwest Institute Veterinary Technician Program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau for Health Education Schools (ABHES) and reports graduation and placement rates each year. The current graduation and placement rates for the Veterinary Technician program are available here.
If you have any specific questions, contact us, and one of our knowledgeable admissions counselors will respond promptly to assist you.
See our Veterinary Technician students in action!
Vet Tech Admission Requirements
Midwest Institute looks for students with a sincere interest in veterinary technology. To be considered, you’ll need to:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass an entrance exam (verbal, reading comprehension and math) and submit an essay
- Complete an online readiness assessment if you choose the online blended format
For full admissions criteria, transfer credit information and how to apply, visit our Admissions Policy page.
Financial Aid for the Vet Tech Program
Financial Aid is available for those who qualify. To find out more about financial aid and how to qualify, visit the . Financial Aid information is also available by filling out our online form, or by calling 314-344-4440.
Vet Tech Program FAQs
How long is the vet tech program at Midwest Institute?
The Veterinary Technician program takes 64 weeks to complete. You earn an Associate of Occupational Science (AOS) degree, which includes 73.5 semester credits and a 240-hour clinical rotation in a working veterinary practice.
Is the vet tech program accredited?
Yes. The Veterinary Technician program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). Midwest Institute is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Can I take the vet tech program online?
You can take it in an online blended format. About 65% of the program is delivered online through live remote classes, and hands-on labs are held on campus in Earth City every week. The program is not fully online because vet tech training requires hands-on work with animals. Online coursework is available to students located in Missouri.
How much does the vet tech program cost?
Current tuition and fees are listed in our catalog addendum and cost of attendance. You can also estimate your cost with our net price calculator. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
What is the VTNE?
The Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) is the national credentialing exam for veterinary technicians. Graduates of AVMA-accredited programs are eligible to take it, and many states require a passing score to work as a credentialed vet tech.
Are any vaccinations required?
Yes. All Veterinary Technician students are required to receive the rabies pre-exposure vaccination. The cost is included in program fees, and the vaccination must be scheduled within the first three weeks of the program.
