Veterinary Assistant

The Veterinary Assistant program is designed to provide the student with the knowledge and skills required for entry-level work performing the administrative and clinical functions of a veterinary assistant. Program topics include animal behavior and restraint, small-animal nursing, office and hospital procedures, client relations, medication dosage and administration, surgical preparation, and laboratory procedures.

In addition to office procedures, you'll learn how to:

• Administer common medications.
• Handle animals.
• Assist in filling prescriptions.
• Set up lab work.
• Assist with nursing care and surgical preparation.

Veterinary assistants are the 'jack of all trades' in the veterinary profession. A veterinary assistant performs reception functions, fills prescriptions, keeps exam rooms and kennels cleaned and prepped, sets up lab work, assists with inventory, updates medical records, assists with nursing care, surgical preparation and procedure, and performs radiographic procedures.

Student learning outcomes.

• Describe the interpersonal skills and professional characteristics of an effective veterinary assistant, and outline typical daily responsibilities.
• Use appropriate veterinary terminology to describe basic concepts of anatomy and physiology, pathology and disease, pharmacology, dentistry, and nutrition, as they apply to animals.
• Describe how to determine the difference between emergency medical conditions and less critical medical ailments.
• Explain the fundamental quality control processes used to safely handle and treat both healthy and sick/injured animals.
• Identify standard procedures used in the animal care laboratory and surgical center and the specialized equipment and instruments found there.
• Interact with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, clients, and animals, displaying professional skills, appearance, and ethics in a work-experience setting.

A student must have a 2.0 grade point average, met 80% of total clock hours, and have satisfied all financial obligations. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will receive a certificate of achievement.

What makes us different? Stellar Career College always puts students first.

• Being a smaller college with less students is the secret to our success. Having a smaller student population allows us to keep students on track and provide real-time support all the way through the programs.
• We do not have any online curriculum or automated responses, instead you will be able to get assistance any time you need by a real person.
• Once you're enrolled you can trust that our staff and faculty will not only treat you like family but will go above and beyond to help you reach your goals.

Small class size. Stellar Career College has a maximum of 20 students per class.

Methods of training. Training by an instructor, individual one-on-one training, hands-on training, multimedia training, guest speakers from the community, and lectures and demonstrations.

Applicants are accepted on the basis of an admission's interview and suitability for the required training program. Applicants who fail to show to their admission's interview may not be considered for enrollment. Stellar Career College reserves the right to decline admission to a candidate.

A high school diploma, General Education Diploma, or High School Proficiency are not required for entrance into a program; however, obtaining one is strongly encouraged. Title IV recipients must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent (as defined by US Department of Education). An applicant must be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in California.

Applicants from another country. No visa services are provided. If an applicant graduated high school in another country and wishes to apply for Title IV funding, the applicant must provide a translated and certified transcript of U.S. high school equivalency by a recognized evaluation agency, and shall demonstrate English and math proficiency with a minimum score of 200 Verbal on the Wonderlic Basic Skills and a minimum score of 210 Wonderlic Quantitative Skills.

Transfer of credit. Students who have completed similar training courses at other institutions may apply for transfer of credit by submitting a Transfer of Credit Application and an official transcript before the program starts. A maximum of 25% of the total program academic credit may be awarded, and Stellar Career College does not charge any fee for evaluating or accepting transfer credits.

36 Week Course - Morning. Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. (Fridays off). 754 clock hours plus 140 outside prep hours, 37 credits (Dept. of Education clock hours: 754; FSA quarter credits: 34). Training is on campus in Modesto, with a minimum 166-hour externship in a veterinary hospital or clinic. All healthcare students must have open availability to work up to 40 hours at their assigned externship site.

Classes are scheduled based on enrollment. Students will be advised of probable starting dates at the time of enrollment. Our classes begin year-round; contact the admissions office or visit the Modesto campus to find out exactly when the next round of classes starts. Stellar Career College is closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Winter Break.

Tuition and fees (as of February 12, 2024, per the current catalog).

• Registration Fee: $100.00
• STRF: $0.00
• Lab Fee: $725.00
• Books & Materials: $348.00
• Tuition: $12,827.00

Total cost of program: $14,000.00. Total cost of program = charges for the period of attendance and the entire program; total cost includes all required text books but doesn't include uniforms etc.

Federal financial aid. Stellar Career College participates in federal and state financial aid programs. Students who wish to apply for Direct Loans or Pell Grants should make an appointment with the Financial Aid Officer, who will assist the student in completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The school code is 037593; the school name may appear as Computer Tutor Business and Technical Institute, the former name of the college.

You may be eligible for the following financial options:

• Federal Pell Grants
• Direct Student Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
• Private Lender Alternative Loans
• Trade Adjustments Act (TAA Funding)
• Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA Funding)
• Scholarships
• Workers Compensation (limited)
• California Department of Rehabilitation, Tribal Funding, third-party scholarships and Employer Reimbursement

Payment plans. Interest-free payment plans are offered by Stellar Career College on a case-by-case basis and determined by the Campus Director.

Refunds. You have the right to cancel your agreement without any penalty through attendance at the first class session or the seventh calendar day after enrollment, whichever is later. After that, you may withdraw and receive a pro rata refund if you have completed 60 percent or less of the scheduled days in the current payment period, less a registration or administration fee not to exceed $100.00 and less any deduction for books/supplies not returned in good condition.

Housing. The College does not provide on-campus housing; the estimated cost of housing near the campus ranges from $1,200 to $2,500 per month.

Net Price Calculator. An estimate of the net price is available from the school's Net Price Calculator at https://modesto.stellarcollege.edu/net-price-calculator/.

This program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue entry-level employment in the field, or jobs in related fields, the specific job titles of which may not be represented in the program title. Although the School will assist students with job placement, finding a job is the individual responsibility of the student.

Occupational outcomes.

• Veterinary Assistant

The school's website lists Veterinary Assistant, Animal Caretaker / Kennel Assistant, Surgical & Clinical Veterinary Aide and Animal Shelter Assistant, with opportunities in veterinary hospitals, emergency animal clinics, shelters, animal control centers, and research facilities.

Student outcomes reported to ACCSC (Veterinary Assistant - 8 month, data for 4/1/2024-3/31/2025, revised 09/2026). Total starts: 19. Graduates within 150% of program length: 15. Graduation rate: 79%. Employment rate: 53%.

Stellar Career College offers all students support, services, coaching and resources to help them meet their educational goals. All staff and faculty are here to help our students overcome life challenges that may get in the way of those goals and serve as an advocate to our students.

Some of the things we can help with include:

• Transportation
• Academic Advising
• Study and Time Management Skills
• Connecting with Peers
• Drug/Alcohol Counseling
• Campus and Community Resources

Career services. Job placement advising, interview seminars and preparation, professional resume and cover letter assistance, job search skills seminars, portfolio-building assistance, job and internship postings, on-campus recruiting and employer information sessions, and networking tips. While this institution will provide employment assistance, it can make no guarantee for a position.

Campus. Stellar Career College occupies 9,714 square feet of a modern office building on Sisk Road, with classrooms with computer workstations, a study hall, and a student lounge with modern kitchen facilities. The Modesto Area Express (MAX) has a bus stop in front of the building. Stellar Career College maintains a professional dress code; uniforms and ID badges must be worn during class and externship hours.