Blinn Veterinary Technology Program ranks No. 1 in the State of Texas
Graduates' first-time national board examination pass rate is No. 1 in the state
October 24, 2019
The Blinn College District Veterinary Technology Program ranks No. 1 among Texas community colleges in preparing its students to pass the national board examination on their first attempt. Nationally, Blinn ranked 17th out of 183 veterinary technology programs that reported their results.
Over the past three years, Blinn graduates averaged a 92.86% first-time pass rate on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), one of two tests required to become a licensed veterinary technician (LVT).
“Our No. 1 ranking is a testament to the quality of our faculty and the dedication of our students,” said Dr. Catherine Pfent, Veterinary Technology Program Director. “Our innovative program, coupled with small class size and diverse clinical affiliate support, prepares our graduates to succeed on their VTNE exam and equips them with the tools to embark on a rewarding career.”
Blinn’s Veterinary Technology Program is a two-year program designed to prepare students to become fully credentialed LVTs.
The College District’s partnership with Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences allows Blinn students to receive hands-on training in every aspect of the wide-ranging field. Blinn is the only community college that has an agreement in place with Texas A&M University to complete laboratories and clinicals at its Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.
“The training and support I received as a student in Blinn’s Veterinary Technology Program was key to preparing me for my current position and enabling me to pursue my life’s passion, providing for the health and welfare of animals,” said graduate Morgan Badley, an LVT at Retama Equine Referral Hospital in Selma. “The learning opportunities and clinicals provided a real-life application to what we learned and needed to know to be successful when taking the VTNE.”
Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared for a variety of careers in animal shelters, educational institutions, government agencies, laboratory facilities, research, veterinary clinics, and zoological facilities, to name a few. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinary technicians earn a median salary of $34,420 per year. Employment opportunities have expanded as veterinarians increasingly rely on technicians and technologists to perform general care and laboratory work. Between 2018 and 2028, the demand for veterinary technicians is expected to grow 19%, creating an additional 21,100 jobs nation-wide.
Due to Blinn’s reputation for excellence and a state-wide shortage of veterinary technicians, program graduates often accept jobs prior to graduation and many have multiple opportunities to choose from.
The next application cycle for the Fall 2020 cohort will open in the spring. For more information regarding Blinn’s Veterinary Technology Program, visit www.blinn.edu/veterinary-technology.
