The top veterinary schools in Missouri may be difficult to choose from among the many programs offered nowadays. You can enroll in one of the many respected online institutions in addition to conventional schools that demand in-person visits.
In Missouri, several veterinary colleges even provide a mixed education. In addition, you have the option of enrolling in a vocational program that will give you knowledge in a certain industry.
To assist you in choosing the best school, we’ve produced a list of the top veterinary medicine colleges in Missouri along with in-depth profiles of each institution and the programs they provide.
How Long do Missouri’s Veterinary Schools Last?
In veterinary schools in Missouri, becoming a veterinary technician requires two years of study. Your associate’s degree in veterinary technology is earned as a result.
However, you need a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate in animal science, veterinary medicine, or public health to work as a veterinarian or surgeon. 4 years are needed.
What Does A Veterinarian Do In Missouri?
The National Veterinary Technicians Association of America (NAVTA) states that these animal health workers are responsible for a variety of duties, including assisting qualified veterinarians with procedures (such as dental, radiology, anesthesia, and surgery); collecting and analyzing laboratory samples; maintaining records of veterinary patients and pharmaceutical stocks; giving basic first aid to animals; and keeping facilities and equipment sterile. The range of practice for this profession also differs by state.
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Is Missouri in Need of Vets?
There is good news for Missourians who are interested in a career in animal health: it is a quickly expanding industry. The number of openings for veterinary technicians will rise by 16% nationwide between 2019 and 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2020).
The average increase anticipated for all occupations during this time period is 4%, therefore this number is four times higher.
Veterinarians have a projected growth rate of 30% between 2016 and 2026, making them the Department’s fastest-growing vocation for those with advanced degrees.
Qualifications Needed to Enroll in Veterinary Schools in Missouri
Missouri’s accredited veterinary medicine programs are quite competitive. The challenge of producing a cycle of top-tier applicants competing for a small number of openings is met by the combination of an outstanding academic reputation.
High academic standing and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject (such as biology or anatomy) are prerequisites for admission to the top veterinary colleges in Missouri.
The program will likely consist of four years of rigorous academic coursework, research projects, laboratory work, and lectures.
You will receive a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree after finishing the veterinary medicine program.
Before submitting an application for a license with the Missouri VMB, you must pass the NAVLE, a nationally recognized test.
Cost of Veterinary Schools in Missouri
The resident tuition rate at the Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine is $505.10 per credit hour for a total of 16 credits. These estimates do not account for textbooks, study materials, or application expenses.
There can be additional charges. Each department sets its own price for the course. The costs of your program will be different from these projections.
Estimates are for Missouri residents only and do not take into account the potential $94.10 per credit hour non-resident cost.
The governing board of the Veterinary Schools in Missouri reserves the right to alter, raise, or lower the costs associated with enrollment and other university services, including but not limited to tuition, at any time.
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How Much Does a Vet Get Paid in Missouri?
Missouri’s vets make, on average, $24.00 an hour. Veterinarians in Missouri earn an average yearly salary of $50,835, which is 39% higher than the state average and 24% higher than the average wage for all jobs in the country.
Due to the specialized education needed and the licensing requirements, Missouri’s employment of veterinarians is only available to those who are actively seeking employment.
A regular stream of ambitious college graduates seeking to have a long-lasting impact on the lives of others in and around Missouri are filling the rising need for trained veterinarians and overcoming the educational hurdle to admission into the industry.
Top Veterinary Schools in Missouri
1. Crowder College
One of the top veterinary schools in Missouri, Crowder College of Neosho has a recognized AAS program in Veterinary Technology.
A campus with over 300 acres of farmland, numerous barns with paddocks, an indoor small animal kennel, and an outdoor canine kennel is ideal for this 78-hour program, which is held there.
Additionally, the Agricultural Science Center provides field technology, an X-ray anatomy lab, and surgery. Candidates must finish the necessary requirements and spend at least 20 hours shadowing or working with a certified veterinarian.
Farm animal health, radiology and electronic processes, chemistry for health sciences, laboratory animal and avian technologies, large animal medicine and surgery, and other topics are covered in the courses. A board evaluation, two clinical sessions, and labs are also required of the students.
2. Jefferson College
Another Missouri veterinary school that provides an AAS in Veterinary Technology that has received CVTEA accreditation is Jefferson College.
This program offers classes in applied pharmacology, microbiology for health sciences, clinical medicine fundamentals, veterinary hospital technology, applied radiography, large animal machinery, and more.
A final course and a clinical internship are also completed by students. First-time graduates made up 76.36% of VTNE from 2017 to 2020.
3. Metropolitan Community College
Additionally, an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Veterinary Technology is provided at Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods Kansas City.
Since 1975, MCCKC has held AVMA accreditation, and as part of its selective program, it has conducted clinical research with 12 different animal species.
Laboratory animal technology, veterinary hospital technology, radiological and electronic procedures, clinical pathology methods, administration of veterinary practice, and other topics are included in the courses.
Throughout the program, mentors work with the students. Between 2016 and 2019, an amazing 93 percent of MCCKC alumni successfully completed the VTNE on their first try.
4. Midwest Institute
One of the greatest veterinary schools in Missouri is Midwest Institute in Fenton, which offers a very practical veterinary associate of occupational science (AOS) degree.
Students can perform a variety of tasks after graduating, including sedating animals, preparing them for surgery, giving them medications and vaccinations, caring for patients in an emergency, taking X-rays, and more.
Public health and parasitology, medical cases, veterinary office calculations, job preparation, applied veterinary pharmacology, and other topics are included in the courses.
Students engage in veterinary practice in addition to laboratory work. It is intended that the program be finished in 64 weeks.
51.2 percent of AOS Midwest Institute alumni who took the VTNE between 2017 and 2020 passed it the first time.
How to Become a Veterinarian in Missouri
Veterinarians in Missouri must be registered in order to practice. The Missouri Board of Veterinary Medicine is the main issuing body, and it demands the following of applicants for veterinary registration:
- filled out application and payment
- transcripts from a U.S. official
- school or program that has received board approval from the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activity (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
- passport photographs
- official VTNE results (no less than 425 points)
- a certified copy of your employment
- obtaining passing marks on the Missouri State Board Exam (at least 70%)
Finally, candidates must renew their registration every year by November 30 after completing at least five hours of continuing education (CE) in order to keep their Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) status active.
Advice for Applying to Vet School
Veterinary school admissions can be extremely tough. As a result, you should start early in your academic career to establish yourself as a strong candidate. It’s crucial to keep your grades high as you work toward your bachelor’s degree. Good grades show the school that you are willing to put in the effort in addition to reflecting your academic strengths. It will also be crucial to have as much hands-on experience with animals as you can through volunteering, job shadowing, or collaboration with a veterinarian. Keep a record of the times you spend with animals.
As was previously mentioned, it’s crucial to make sure you’ve finished all necessary coursework needed by the veterinary school(s) you’re applying to. Additionally, you ought to make time to see your instructors when they are in the office. Discuss the course subject, seek out suggestions for additional reading, and talk about your career goals and other pertinent issues.
Why is getting to know your teachers important? In addition to helping you with your schoolwork, they can also provide letters of recommendation for you when you go to veterinary school.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal major for veterinary medicine?
Pre-veterinary students typically major in either basic sciences (such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, or zoology) or sciences applied to working with animals (such as animal sciences or wildlife biology), as the majority of them are interested in biology and/or working with animals.
What is the veterinary profession’s entry-level degree?
You must complete a four-year undergraduate program and obtain a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in order to become a licensed veterinarian. This degree, which may be obtained in four years, is frequently referred to as a DVM or a VMD.
What constitutes a serious issue in veterinary medicine?
A lot of difficulties are being faced by the profession. The management of the upcoming generation of vets, navigating the virtual world (via telemedicine and other methods), and enhancing welfare and mental health results are a few of these difficulties.
Conclusion
Each state’s certified veterinary technology programs are listed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
The four programs in Missouri are: Crowder College (Neosho, MO), Jefferson College (Hillsboro, MO), Maple Woods Community College (Kansas City, MO), and Midwest Institute (Fenton, MO), according to information provided by the AVMA.
The program with the most experience was initially accredited in April 1975 by Maple Woods Community College.
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