Jump to featured news Jump to other news and events
Purdue signature
College of Veterinary Medicine

PVM Directory | Intranet

Distance Learning

Learn more about the Purdue Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program

The Veterinary Technology program is a science based veterinary nursing program offering an Associate of Science degree. The Veterinary Technology Distance Learning (VTDL) program at Purdue University is designed to allow a student to gain the knowledge, information, and skills necessary to practice as a veterinary technician.

Typically, most students who complete the VTDL:

  • are already employed with a veterinarian
  • enjoy their job working with a veterinarian and plan to continue working with them
  • are willing to make a long-term commitment to develop the skills and acquire the extensive knowledge required to be a Veterinary Technician

Distance Learning students must:

  • maintain self-motivation and self-discipline
  • set own pace for learning
  • manage time effectively
  • be a self-learner/discoverer
  • set aside time for studying

Study time formula:

- 1 credit hour = 3 study hours per week

- Most VTDL students report spending 4 - 6 study hours per credit hour per week

Program Information

Program Curriculum and Fees

The curriculum for VTDL contains 35 didactic courses and 17 clinical mentorships. For an overview of the curriculum, suggested plans of study, and fees - click here.

For information about how to apply for Financial Aid and important dates, click here.

For financial aid information specific to the VTDL program, click here.

For current fees, click here

IT Requirements

  • Internet connection of 56k or better (higher speeds strongly recommended)
  • Blackboard approved web browser. For a list of supported browsers, please visit the Blackboard website
  • CD / DVD drive
  • Monitor capable of displaying 800 x 600 resolution or better
    • Resolution of 1024 x 768 or more is recommended for best performance

Proctor Information

A proctor is the person who insures exam security. The VTDL communicates with the proctor the necessary information for the student to complete course exams.

  • Proctor must be a licensed veterinarian, a credentialed veterinary technician (RVT, LVT, CVT), or a practicing teacher in a school, college, or university
  • Proctor may not be a spouse or relative
  • Proctor must have high speed internet connection available
  • For information the roles of the proctor or mentor, click here

Admission Requirements and Procedures

  • High school graduation or equivalent (high school transcript required)
  • Minimum high school subject matter prerequisites (deficiencies may be made up with college-level courses)
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age prior to entering clinical courses
  • SAT or ACT scores

 

Click to view the admissions procedure instructions

Transferring Credits

The program contains 70 credit hours for graduation. Of these 70 credit hours, 62 are specific to the veterinary technology program. The 8 that you may transfer in break down as follows: 3 hours of freshman English composition, 2 hours of elective credits and 3 hours of an introductory Animal Agriculture course.

Completing the Program

Historically VTDL students who maintain their employment status and family life will take an average of 4-5 years to complete the program in a part-time status. While this may seem to be a long time, it is the same effort that the on-campus students log in their intensive program. On-campus students are in class, labs, and rotations from 7:30 AM until 4:30 PM five days a week. DL students are typically unable to make that kind of time commitment because of their life/job situation, and thus it is important for DL students to remember that they are going to need to take this curriculum at a slower pace to prevent significant disruption of their other obligations and responsibilities, and to prevent their inability to meet the academic load.

Students NOT Residing in the United States

It is essential that students learn techniques that are considered state of the art of veterinary medicine. All veterinary facilities must meet the requirements for Clinical Mentorship facilities. See information above about the Clinical Mentorship Experience.