Veterinary Assistant Program

The veterinary assistant program at University of Alaska Anchorage prepares students to assist veterinarians, laboratory animal specialists, and zoological professionals in treating animals. They also have the option to become a kennel attendant, animal caretaker, groomer, zookeeper, or animal trainer. The program focuses on providing patient management, care, and clinical procedure assistance, and owner communication. Program courses include: animal health and nutrition, animal handling, clinical pathology, radiology, anesthesiology, dental prophylaxis, surgical assisting, and clinical laboratory procedures. Get more details below including other Alabama colleges that offer veterinary assistant program.

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University of Alaska Anchorage

1411 Indiana Avenue, Jasper, AL

About
The University of Alaska Anchorage, located in Anchorage, Alaska, is a public, four year institution founded in 1954. The school is the largest of the three that comprise the University of Alaska System. The university is divided into six sections, each with its own specialization: Education, Health and Social Welfare, Business and Public Policy, Art and Sciences, the School of Engineering and the Community and Technical College.

UAA also maintains four satellite campuses that offer associate and vocational degrees. The school was originally a community college and then become a four year institution in 1976.  University extensions and community colleges were merged together in 1987 to form the current institution.

Academics
The University of Alaska Anchorage offers bachelor degrees typically requiring four years of study. Programs require students to take lower and upper division courses related to their major, general studies and electives in order to complete the required curriculum. Students may also opt take on a minor degree, requiring additional courses of study in a secondary field of expertise.

Students may also pursue vocational or two year degree programs through the school's community college subdivision or extensions. Transfer programs allow students to mirror the first two years of a four year education for the purposes of transfer, followed by applying for admission to four year school or programs in order to continue one's education and eventually earn a bachelor's degree. Transfer within the system is made easier through agreements and requirements that guarantee admission if certain academic criteria are met.

Vocational and career programs allow students to receive an education in a specific industry or field with the intention of seeking employment opportunities after graduation. Programs are taught by industry professionals, providing supervision and guidance for skill development and training. Most programs take between one and two years to complete, resulting in an associate degree or certificate upon completion.

Programs offered include:

• Accounting
• Culinary Arts
• Nursing
• Liberal Arts
• Sociology

Admissions and FInancial Aid
Students interested in enrollment at UAA must complete and submit the application for admission, along with transcripts, test scores, recommendations, and essay. UAA will review all applications and based on the strength of each individual application, will make a decision regarding enrollment.

Once the decision is made applicants will be notified, and those accepted will be provided with material to prepare them for their education. Individuals entering a two year program through the community college subdivision will only submit an application and transcripts, and pay all fees in order to enroll.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, work study programs and scholarships. Students in need of financial aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Data from the FAFSA will be used by the school to determine the need and aid program eligibility of the applicant when constructing his or her aid packet. Aid must be applied for prior to each academic year, and should be done in a timely fashion in order for the school to complete the aid packet prior to the start of classes.

Athletics
The UAA Seawolves participate in athletics through intercollegiate and intramural sports. The school's colors are green and gold. Individuals participating in athletics will be required to meet certain academic standards in order to continue play, and those that do will learn skills useful in their personal and professional lives, such as leadership, discipline and teamwork.  Interested individuals may contact the school's athletic department to begin the process.

Athletic programs include:

• Basketball
• Gymnastics
• Hockey
• Volleyball
• Cross Country
• Skiing
• Track and Field

Students Enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. University of Alaska Anchorage offers a less than one year certificate program in veterinary assistant.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Description

Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, veterinary technologists and technicians employment is expected to grow at a rate of 18.7% from 2014 to 2024

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).