Homeschool Program
- Students work with a parent or homeschool instructor to complete the required curriculum and apprenticeship. Parents/leaders assign lessons and activities and track student progress.
- Students must complete the curriculum and apprenticeship in their chosen career track (outlined below).
- Students who complete both curriculum and apprenticeship receive Veterinary Assistant (VA) classification in their chosen career track.
- Graduates of the clinical track are eligible for certification through the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) by examination.
Career Tracks (students complete 75 core lessons and 25 lessons in their chosen career track)
- Clinical track: companion, livestock, and exotic animal health – classification Veterinary Assistant (VA). Student completes 75 core lessons and 25 clinical lessons (identified in the table of contents) for a total of 100 lessons. Students following the clinical track require 1 book. Students earn the Veterinary Assistant title and become eligible for certification through the TVMA.
- One Health track: animal, human, and environmental health – classification Veterinary Assistant (VA). Student completes 75 lessons in the core curriculum and 25 laboratory lessons in the One Health supplement for a total of 100 lessons. Students following this track require 2 books. Students earn the veterinary assistant (VA) title, but are NOT eligible for TVMA certification.
- Laboratory track: animal health research and diagnostics – classification Veterinary Assistant (VA). Student completes 75 lessons in the core curriculum and 25 laboratory lessons in the laboratory supplement for a total of 100 lessons. Students following this track require 2 books. Students earn the veterinary assistant (VA) title, but are NOT eligible for TVMA certification.
Print & Web-Based Curriculum:
- Books: available through the Texas A&M AgriLife Bookstore – 979-985-5259.
- Web-based resources available through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (Vet Science Catalog) – 979-458-8692. Web-based resources are separated by track and intended for use along with corresponding book.
- Students are required to complete 100 lessons: 75 core lessons and 25 supplemental lessons in their chosen career track.
| Veterinary Science Certificate Program – Curriculum Options |
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| Track | Option 1: Clinical |
Option 1: One Health |
Option 1: Laboratory |
| Option 1: includes both print books and online teacher resource |
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| Track | Option 2: Clinical | Option 2: One Health | Option 2: Laboratory |
| Option 2: includes online curriculum only (no print books needed) |
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Web-Based Teacher Resources – Prices
- Web-Based: Veterinary Science Teacher Resource – Clinical Track ($110 annual subscription)
- Web-Based: One Health Teacher Resources – One Health Track. ($75 annual subscription)
- Web-Based: Laboratory Science Teacher Resources – Laboratory Track. ($75 annual subscription).
Apprenticeship: Students complete a minimum of 500 clinical skill hours in an apprenticeship role under a professional in the filed.
- Veterinarian or credentialed veterinary technician (clinical track) in veterinary practice
- One Health professional (One Health track) related industry
- Laboratory professional (laboratory track) diagnostic or research laboratory
- Students may download the application form and level I clinical skills checklist from the TVMA website at: tvma.org < Certifications < CVA < CVA Applications and Checklists (for Hospitals)
Completion of the Program: (completion of program certificate)
- Students who complete both the curriculum (100 lessons, questions, and 50 activities) and 500 hands-on clinical skills hours receive Veterinary Assistant (VA) classification.
Certification: Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA)
- Graduates of the Veterinary Science Certificate Program are eligible for TVMA CVA certification by examination.
- The TVMA application form/skills validation checklist is available on the TVMA website: http://www.tvma.org/ > Certifications > CVA > CVA Applications and Checklists > Level I Hospital Application and Checklist