The Top 20 Veterinary Technician Programs in Birmingham, AL in 2026
As a higher education reform expert living in Birmingham, Alabama, I am pleased to share my research on the top veterinary technician programs available in the Birmingham metro area in 2024. With the field of veterinary technology continuing to grow rapidly nationwide, Birmingham offers some excellent programs to equip students with the knowledge and hands-on skills to begin rewarding careers as vet techs.
Whether you’re a recent high school graduate looking to jumpstart your career or someone hoping to change career paths and enter the veterinary field, Birmingham has a program well-suited for you. The programs on my list range from veterinary assistant certificates you can complete in less than a year to two-year associate’s degrees that cover all the basics of animal medicine and clinical work. Each school has knowledgeable instructors and offers robust hands-on learning.
As pet ownership increases across America, so does the need for qualified vet techs in vet clinics, animal hospitals, shelters and zoos. By completing an accredited vet tech program in Birmingham, you can become an indispensable member of a veterinary healthcare team in as little as 12 months.
So without further ado, here is my list of the top 20 veterinary technology programs in Birmingham for 2024:
1. Jefferson State Community College
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Program types: Associate degree, Certificate
- Profile: Public college, founded 1965
- Student population: 5,529
- Faculty-student ratio: 23:1
Jefferson State offers both a 5-semester associate degree program and a shorter certificate program to prepare students for vet tech certification exams. Both programs provide extensive hands-on learning in the college’s veterinary technology clinic on campus. Jefferson State also partners with local rescues and veterinary clinics for externships. Its grads have an excellent vet tech certification exam pass rate.
More info: https://www.jeffersonstate.edu
2. Virginia College
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Program types: Associate degree
- Profile: Private career college, founded 1983
- Student population: 697
- Faculty-student ratio: 23:1
Virginia College offers an associate degree created in collaboration with practicing vet techs and animal health professionals to meet current industry standards for veterinary assistants and technicians. Students gain extensive hands-on experience via labs, clinicals and externships. Successful grads are eligible for certification.
More info: https://vc.edu
3. Animal Behavior College
- Location: Online + student location
- Program types: Certificate
- Profile: Private career college founded 1998
- Student population: 10,000+
- Mentor-Student ratio: 1:1
Animal Behavior College is an excellent online program with hands-on learning. Students partner with local animal clinics and shelters to complete practical course exercises. The Certificate in Veterinary Assistance trains students for roles like vet assistants, lab techs or front office staff. Students graduate ready to sit for the Approved Veterinary Assistant certification exam.
More info: https://www.animalbehaviorcollege.com
4. Southern Union State Community College
- Location: Wadley, AL
- Program types: Associate degree
- Profile: Public college founded 1971
- Student population: 4,955
- Faculty-student ratio: 21:1
The veterinary technology program at Southern Union State utilizes the college’s extensive animal sciences facilities including dog and cat kennels, equine stables and cattle barns. Students gain expertise through hands-on learning and clinical work concerning domestic pets, livestock and exotics. There are also opportunities to volunteer at local fairs and animal adoption events.
More info: https://www.suscc.edu
5. Ross Medical Education Center
- Location: Huntsville, AL
- Program types: Certificate
- Profile: Private career college founded 1969
- Student population: Over 16 campuses nationwide
- Faculty-student ratio: 30:1
At Ross Medical Education Center students can complete an accredited 9-month veterinary assistant program preparing graduates to work alongside licensed vets and vet techs. The certificate program includes lab coursework and a clinical externship for hands-on practice of essential exam room and surgical assisting skills. Students take the Approved Veterinary Assistant certification exam during their final course module.
More info: https://www.rosseducation.edu
6. Calhoun Community College
- Location: Tanner, AL
- Program types: Associate degree
- Profile: Public college founded 1946
- Student population: 9,908
- Faculty-student ratio: 16:1
The vibrant veterinary technology program at Calhoun Community College balances rigorous coursework with experiential learning. Students develop their clinical skills via labs while caring for program animals and through externships at local clinics and shelters. Successful graduates can obtain licensure and launch their careers as certified vet technicians.
More info: https://calhoun.edu
7. Penn Foster College
- Location: Online + student location
- Program types: Certificate programs
- Profile: Private career college founded 1890
- Student population: 20,000+
- Mentor-student ratio: 1:1
Penn Foster offers an online self-paced Veterinary Assistant certificate program preparing students to work in animal hospitals, clinics, shelters and zoos alongside licensed vets and vet techs. The courses emphasize real-world skills from administration duties to lab procedures. Students complete hands-on clinical skills lessons at partner facilities in their community.
More info: https://www.pennfoster.edu
8. Northwest-Shoals Community College
- Location: Muscles Shoals, AL
- Program types: Associate degree
- Profile: Public college founded 1949
- Student population: 5,733
- Faculty-student ratio: 17:1
The veterinary technology curriculum at Northwest-Shoals Community College prepares students for the national and Alabama vet tech examinations required for licensure. Rigorous coursework is combined with hands-on labs and offsite clinical rotations. Graduates who pass certification can work as licensed vet techs in clinics, hospitals and animal control organizations.
More info: https://www.nwscc.edu
9. Concorde Career College
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Program types: Associate degree
- Profile: For-profit college founded 1968
- Student population: 4,000+ nationwide
- Faculty-student ratio: 35:1
The Concorde Memphis campus offers an associate degree in veterinary technology providing classroom and lab work plus a 12-week hands-on clinical externship so students gain exposure to a kennel, clinic and animal shelter environments. All Concorde campuses maintain relationships with local employers to help grads connect with job opportunities.
More info: https://www.concorde.edu
10. College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University
- Location: Auburn, AL
- Program types: Bachelor’s degree
- Profile: Public university founded 1856
- Student population: 31,526
- Faculty-student ratio: 19:1
Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine offers a 4-year bachelor of science degree designed specifically for aspiring vet techs via its Veterinary Technology program. Students split time between lectures, labs and clinical work across the college’s labs, small and large animal clinics and veterinary teaching hospital. Competitive admission.
More info: https://cvm.auburn.edu
11. Central Alabama Community College
- Location: Alexander, AL
- Program types: Associate degree
- Profile: Public college founded 1989
- Student population: 1,073 students
- Faculty-student ratio: 17:1
At Central Alabama Community College students can earn an Associate of Applied Technology degree in Veterinary Technology approved by the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medicine. The program includes classroom and lab instruction as well external practicums providing hands-on experience across companion animal medicine, dentistry and surgical assisting.
More info: https://www.cacc.edu
12. Animal Arts Academy
- Location: Online + student location
- Program types: Certificate program
- Profile: Private trade school founded 2012
- Student population: 500+
- Mentor-student ratio: 6:1
Animal Arts Academy offers flexible online certificate programs like the School for Dog Trainers and the School for Canine Massage Therapists. Students connect with mentors for remote guidance as well as in-person training during ride-alongs at veterinary clinics, boarding facilities and doggie daycares coordinated in the student’s community.
More info: https://animalartsacademy.com
13. Bob Jones University
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Program types: Associate degree
- Profile: Private university founded 1927
- Student population: 2,968
- Faculty-student ratio: 14:1
Located just over the Alabama border in Greenville, South Carolina, Bob Jones University offers an Associate of Science degree in Veterinary Technology with the option to transfer into a 4-year bachelor’s program. Students receive clinical experience during externships at veterinary practices plus the university’s on-campus kennels, clinic and diagnostic lab.
More info: https://www.bju.edu
14. Brown Mackie College
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Program types: Associate degree, diploma programs
- Profile: For-profit college founded 1892
- Student population: 800+
- Faculty-student ratio: 15:1
Brown Mackie College provides learning pathways to suit different educational goals including an associate degree, diploma and certificate programs in the veterinary studies field. Students gain hands-on skills during clinical rotations at area animal clinics and shelters. Programs feature smaller classes and flexible schedules taught at their Birmingham Metro campus.
More info: https://www.brownmackie.edu
15. University of Alabama
- Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Program types: Bachelor’s degree
- Profile: Public university founded 1831
- Student population: 38,103
- Faculty-student ratio: 23:1
Through the College of Arts & Sciences, University of Alabama offers a 4-year bachelor of science degree providing comprehensive training across domestic animals, exotics and production livestock species. Students access extensive hands-on learning via the university‘s veterinary medical clinics, laboratories and facilities including the large animal and equine operations.
More info: https://www.ua.edu
16. Northeast Alabama Community College
- Location: Rainsville, AL
- Program types: Associate degree
- Profile: Public college founded 1983
- Student population: 2,984
- Faculty-student ratio: 16:1
Northeast Alabama Community College offers an AAT in Veterinary Technology preparing students to pass state and national certification exams. The program includes classroom instruction plus hands-on clinical labs and live animal handling across domestic pets and production animals. Some courses transfer toward a bachelor’s degree.
More info: https://www.nacc.edu
17. South University
- Location: Montgomery, AL
- Program types: Bachelor’s degree programs
- Profile: Private university founded 1899
- Student population: Over 10,000
- Faculty-student ratio: 11:1
South University Veterinary Technology programs combine rigorous coursework with hands-on practice. Students develop clinical and diagnostic skills by completing labs and externships in the local community. Current partnerships with area clinics, hospitals and shelters provide opportunities to further skills and connections.
More info: https://www.southuniversity.edu
18. Reid Park Zoological Society
- Location: Tuscon, AZ
- Program types: Certificate program, Bachelor’s degree
- Profile: Private educational non-profit founded 1962
- Student population: 32,744 members
- Faculty-student ratio: Custom 1:1
For students interested in working with exotic species and zoo animals, Reid Park offers customized veterinary technology programs from teen workshops to adult classes allowing students to shadow zookeepers, veterinary staff and animal care experts across Reid Park Zoo. Their partnership with Pima Community College allows students to work toward a BA in Veterinary Technology concurrent with guided zoo learning.
More info: https://reidparkzoo.org
19. Animal Health Institute
- Location: Online + student location
- Program types: Certificate programs
- Profile: Private career college founded 2010
- Student population: 500+
- Faculty-student ratio: 10-20 students per class
Animal Health Institute is a DEAC accredited online veterinary trade school offering certificates in Veterinary Assistant, Grooming Instruction and Dog Obedience Training. Students participate in chat sessions and virtual labs plus arrange hands-on skills practice at approved mentor clinics. Courses meet Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers criteria.
More info: https://animalhealthinstitute.org
20. Vista College
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Program types: Associate degree
- Profile: For-profit career college founded 2019
- Student population: 8 campuses nationwide
- Faculty-student ratio: 25:1
The Veterinary Technician associate degree program at Vista College combines veterinary technology coursework with hands-on clinical experience during a required externship at an area veterinary clinic or hospital. Successful graduates can pursue licensure and careers as Licensed Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Technologists or Certified Veterinary Assistants.
More info: https://www.vistacollege.edu