BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University's Veterinary Technology program has received initial accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), effective September 19, 2024. Accreditation by AVMA CVTEA represents the highest standard of achievement for veterinary technology education in the United States.
All veterinary technology programs accredited by AVMA CVTEA must meet the CVTEA's Standards of Accreditation to ensure the quality of the educational experience and the assessment of student knowledge and skills. Initial Accreditation is granted to new programs that have made significant progress towards meeting the Standards of Accreditation. To earn Initial Accreditation, Appalachian State's Veterinary Technology program underwent a rigorous review, concluding with a site visit in September.
Made possible by a multimillion-dollar commitment from Banfield Pet Hospital®, Appalachian State's four-year Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology degree was established in 2022 to address market demand for skilled veterinary professionals, especially in rural areas. The App State Online program is housed in the Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation within the College of Arts and Sciences and is directed by Jennifer Serling, a credentialed veterinary technician. The program, the first of its kind, provides 76 credit hours of core training in veterinary technology, preparing students to become registered veterinary technicians (RVTs). In May, the program celebrated its first graduating class of five students.
"I am incredibly proud of the program, faculty, staff and students, as well as the support we received from everyone at the University preparing for the accreditation process. It was truly a team effort," said Serling. "I am so excited that we achieved this milestone and now our graduates are one step closer to becoming credentialed veterinary technicians."
To learn more about Appalachian State's Veterinary Technology program, visit rri.appstate.edu/vet-tech.
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About the Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation
Appalachian State University’s Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation is one of 17 academic departments in the College of Arts and Sciences and serves as a hub for App State faculty, staff and students working on scholarship, teaching and service with rural community partners. The department, which launched in summer 2021, is home to App State’s online, four-year Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology degree and offers seed grants to fund research or service-learning class collaborations that address challenges faced by rural American communities. Learn more at rri.appstate.edu.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at cas.appstate.edu.
By Lauren Gibbs
November 13, 2024
BOONE, N.C.
Appalachian State University's Veterinary Technology program is housed in the Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation within the College of Arts and Sciences.
Appalachian State University's Veterinary Technology program is housed in the Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation within the College of Arts and Sciences.