Veterinary technicians, or vet techs, take on many responsibilities on a day-to-day basis.
These professionals assist veterinarians in various tasks, including animal handling, administering medications, conducting laboratory tests, and providing emergency care to injured and sick animals.
Whether they work at large animal hospitals or small private veterinary practices, they play a key role in a veterinary healthcare team.
In Nashville, vet techs can expect an average salary of around $34,000 to $40,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.
If you are considering this career path, you should be ready to take a vet tech course.
To become a vet tech, individuals typically pursue an associate degree in veterinary technology from an accredited program.
They have to complete coursework and hands-on training in animal care, anatomy, pharmacology, and medical techniques.
Upon completion, they then need to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) to become certified.
To start your journey to becoming a vet tech, check out the vet tech schools in Nashville, TN below.
Volunteer State Community College
About the School
Volunteer State Community College is a public community college that serves the suburban Nashville community.
They offer quality, innovative educational programs, support, and services.
Established in 1971, they have 100+ academic programs in the following areas of interest:
- Health Sciences
- Nursing
- Humanities
- Business and Technology
- Social Science and Education
- Math and Science
They are committed to building partnerships and strengthening internal and external community engagement.
They are also dedicated to promoting diversity, cultural awareness, and economic development to prepare students for successful careers, university transfer, and meaningful civic participation in a global society.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, they have campus locations in Gallatin (Main), Cookeville, Livingston, and Springfield.
Courses Offered
The Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology Program gives students the classroom and clinical experiences needed to prepare them for a veterinary technician career.
It provides students with plenty of opportunities to gain hands-on experience in various veterinary settings, including referral centers and private clinical practices.
It can be completed in four or six semesters.
Accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Recommended Schedule Plan covers the following courses:
First Year – Fall Semester (14 Credits)
- Introduction to Biology or Essentials of Biology or General Biology I
- Fundamentals of Chemistry or General Chemistry I
- Medical Terminology
- Fundamentals of Communication or Public Speaking
First Year – Spring Semester (16 Credits)
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- Applied Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
- Laboratory Animal Care
- English Composition I
- Principles of Microeconomics or Introduction to Psychology
First Year – Summer Semester (14 Credits)
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Clinical Practicum I
- Veterinary Imaging
- Introduction to Ethics
Second Year – Fall Semester (14 Credits)
- Microbiology for Veterinary Technicians
- Small Animal Medical Nursing
- Veterinary Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Practicum II
Second Year – Spring Semester (12 Credits)
- Large Animal Medical Nursing
- Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgery
- VTNE Review
- Clinical Practicum III
Upon successful completion, graduates become eligible to sit for the National Veterinary Technology Exam to obtain their license to practice in Tennessee.
Career options include large animal, small animal, or specialty/referral veterinary practice, humane societies, and animal control facilities, exotics or zoo species, agricultural businesses, wildlife rehabilitation, and laboratory animals and research facilities.
Address: 1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066, United States
Austin Peay State University
About the School
Austin Peay State University is a public university located in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Established in 1927, they strive to be the region’s university of choice for seeking to improve their lives through student-centered teaching, unique developmental opportunities, and focus on innovative research and public service.
They are committed to providing transformational experiences through innovative, creative, and scholarly activities to their diverse community of learners.
They offer 50 Bachelor’s Degree Programs, 21 Master’s Degree Programs, and 2 Doctoral Degree Programs.
Their areas of study include the Arts, Behavioral and Health Sciences, Business, Education, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and Technology and Public Management.
They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technology Program is offered by the University’s Department of Agriculture.
It aims to equip students with the important qualities of a future vet tech.
It teaches communication skills, compassion, detail-orientedness, manual dexterity, and physical strength.
Delivered in small class settings with individual attention from expert faculty, it covers coursework in veterinary technology and agricultural, biological, and chemical sciences.
The Four-Year Plan features the following courses:
First Year (Fall Semester)
- Freshman Orientation
- English Composition I
- Animal Science
- Mathematics Core
- Intro to Biology or General Biology I
First Year (Spring Semester)
- English Composition II
- Public Speaking
- Intro to Chem I or General Chem I
- History Core
- Guided Elective
Second Year (Fall Semester)
- Intro to Veterinary Technology
- Humanities and Fine Arts Core
- History Core
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Topics in World Literature
- Companion Animal Management
Second Year (Spring Semester)
- Animal Health and Disease
- Humanities and Fine Arts Core
- Exotic Animal Management
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Core
- Forage Crops
- Companion Animal Management
Third Year (Fall Semester)
- Vet Tech I
- A&P of Domestic Animals
- Veterinary Terminology
- Animal Nutrition
Third Year (Spring Semester)
- Genetics of Crops and Livestock or Genetics
- Vet Tech II
- Veterinary Clinical Experience I
- Agriculture Economics
Fourth Year (Fall Semester)
- Vet Tech Medical Nursing and Critical Care
- Veterinary Clinical Experience II
- Veterinary Tech Dentistry
- Veterinary Tech Business
- Land Use
Fourth Year (Spring Semester)
- Vet Tech Surgical Nursing and Pharmacology
- Veterinary Clinical Experience III
- Electives
- Vet Tech Pharm Therapies
- Preparation for the VTN
Upon successful completion, graduates may take the Veterinary Technician National Exam to obtain their license in the state of TN.
They may find employment in animal clinics, laboratory and research facilities, zoos, wildlife rehabilitation facilities, agricultural businesses, animal control facilities, and pharmaceutical research and development.
Address: 601 College Street, Clarksville, Tennessee, 37044
University of Tennessee at Martin
About the School
University of Tennessee at Martin is a public university and one of the five campuses of the University of Tennessee System.
Established in 1900, they are the only public university in West Tennessee outside of Memphis.
They operate a large experimental farm and multiple satellite centers in the region.
Through the years, they have established themselves as a fixture in West Tennessee’s educational landscape.
They have more than 6,800 students enrolled in their 150+ academic areas of study in Applied Sciences, Business and Global Affairs, Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences, Engineering and Natural Sciences, and Humanities and Fine Arts.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, they are committed to educating and engaging responsible citizens to lead and serve in a diverse world.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technology Program can help students put their passion for animals to work.
It is a comprehensive program that trains qualified professionals in the animal healthcare field.
Accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), it teaches how to work with:
- Large Animals
- Exotic Animals
- Companion Animals
- Equine
Workplace settings include:
- Vet clinics
- Zoos
- Research institutions
The curriculum includes a variety of courses, such as:
General Education Courses (38 to 39 hours)
- Biological and Physical Systems
- Communication
- Fine Arts
- Humanities
- Mathematics
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
Veterinary Science and Technology Core Courses (35 to 43 hours)
- Introduction to Animal Science
- Farm Animal Health
- Animal Nutrition
- Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals
- Applied Animal Reproduction
- Small Animal Clinical Nutrition in Veterinary Medicine
- Essentials of Algebra
- Precalculus
- Calculus I
Concentration Requirements (47 hours)
- Introduction to Horse Science
- Companion Animal Laboratory
- Exotic and Companion Animal Management
- Animal Nutrition Laboratory
- Veterinary Technology Medical Terminology
- Veterinary Technology Diagnostic Imaging
- Veterinary Technology Animal Nursing
- Veterinary Technology Parasitology
- Veterinary Technology Pharmacology
- Veterinary Technology Surgery, Anesthesia, and Dentistry
The full program consists of eight semesters and takes four years to complete.
Upon successful completion, graduates will receive a Bachelor of Science Degree.
They will also be eligible to take the Veterinary Technology National Licensing Exam to obtain their license.
Address: 554 University Street, Martin TN 38237
Veterinary Technician Schools by City in Tennessee
