The Veterinary Assistant Program is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills required to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in clinical settings. This comprehensive program covers essential topics such as animal anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, animal behavior, and veterinary pharmacology. Students will learn to perform administrative and clinical tasks, including record-keeping, patient handling, diagnostic imaging, laboratory procedures, and assisting with surgical and medical procedures. This program will require two semesters to complete. The first semester is 150 hours of online and in-person instruction. The second semester is 100 hours and is all clinical work in the field.
| Course Name | Section Number | Dates | Day | Time | Hours | Location | Fee | Free/Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vet Assistant | 55687 | Aug. 17-Dec. 18 | MWF | 6:00 pm-9:00 pm | 150 | B8 826 | $204.25 |
Veterinary assistant clinicals are hands-on training experiences where students apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-life veterinary settings. Typically taking place in animal hospitals, clinics, or shelters, clinicals allow students to work alongside veterinarians and veterinary technicians to gain practical experience in animal care. During this time, students learn essential skills such as animal restraint, basic nursing care, surgical preparation, laboratory procedures, and client communication. They may help feed and groom animals, clean kennels, assist with exams and treatments, and observe surgeries. Clinicals also introduce students to record keeping, practice management software, and the daily operations of a veterinary facility. These rotations are supervised and structured to build competence and confidence, giving students a realistic view of the veterinary field while preparing them for entry-level employment. Professionalism, reliability, and a willingness to learn are key expectations throughout the experience. Clinicals are 100 hours and are done in the second semester.
| Course Name | Section Number | Dates | Day | Time | Hours | Location | Fee | Free/Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vet Assistant Clinicals | 52321 | Sept. 1-Dec. 31 | Mon.-Sun. | 8:00 am-8:00 am | 100 | Various | $194.25 | YES |
The Department of Continuing Education is also pleased to partner with Education to Go (Ed2Go) to provide veterinary-related training courses. Please see Ed2Go to register!
Become a Veterinary Assistant
Learn what a veterinary assistant does in the veterinary office or hospital setting.
| Location | Hours | Dates | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 24 hrs | Start Dates: See Ed2Go site | Fee: $70 |
Veterinary Medical Terminology
This online course uses an anatomical approach to teach you the medical word components used in veterinary medicine. You will learn medical terms unique to the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and treatment of animals.
| Location | Hours | Dates | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 24 hrs | Start Dates: See Ed2Go site | Fee: $70 |
Become a Veterinary Assistant II: Canine Reproduction
This online course will teach you to manage the entire canine breeding cycle, from assessing the health of parents to puppy care.
| Location | Hours | Dates | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 24 hrs | Start Dates: See Ed2Go site | Fee: $70 |
Become a Veterinary Assistant III: Practical Skills
Learn the practical skills you’ll need to be a valuable veterinary assistant or educated pet owner. This is the third installment in the series.
| Location | Hours | Dates | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 24 hrs | Start Dates: See Ed2Go site | Fee: $95 |
You can view the available classes at ed2go.
For more information or to register, please contact:
Continuing Education Registration & Records Clerk
Phone: 252-940-6375
Email: [email protected]
Online: beaufortccc.edu/register
