Being a good vet starts with passion and love for animals and continues with enrolling in the best veterinary schools in West Virginia if you reside in the state. Although the number of vet schools in West Virginia is small as compared to the best vet schools in Florida or California, the few make a tremendous impact.
Generally, vet schools in West Virginia are accredited and offer a variety of academic degrees and different specialties in veterinary studies. Making a choice of vet school is daunting and can be difficult especially if you have no idea what to look out for. That’s where we come in.
Here you will find a list of accredited schools and colleges in West Virginia with accredited vet programs. We have also written down insights about these schools and their unique details and why you should choose any of them as your possible school.
If you decide to change your mind about the choice of location at the end of this article, click on the link Veterinary Schools to explore other areas with great vet schools.
How Many Veterinary Schools Are In West Virginia?
As of 2023, there are just 4 veterinary colleges in West Virginia all offering veterinary technology & assistance programs that give you an associate degree upon completion.
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What Are The Requirements To Go To Vet Schools In West Virginia?
Before enrollment into any school in West Virginia, you must pass through a series of requirements that certifies you are worthy to study in the school. With each school comes different requirements.
Also, depending on the academic program you’re enrolling in, the academic entry requirements will also differ. However, because you’re enrolling in an associate degree vet program, the requirements are minimal.
To enroll in an Associate degree program in Veterinary Technology program in one of the Vet schools in West Virginia, you will need to provide official documents of the following;
- Animal experience
- Applicant interviews.
- High school transcripts
- Written personal statement
- Letters of recommendation.
- Admission fee (Specific to each school)
- Proof of health insurance and vaccinations
- Test scores such as TOEFL for non-native English speakers)
- Certain high school coursework (e.g., biology, chemistry, algebra).
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What You Should Consider Before Going to Vet Schools in West Virginia.
There is only one reason why choosing the best vet school for you is a difficult thing, veterinary students have to study at accredited schools and be trained appropriately.
Just before you enroll in a vet program in any school in West Virginia, there are key factors you must put into consideration. Even though veterinary colleges in West Virginia come highly recommended, you need to consider the following points before making a choice;
- Accreditation
- Acceptance Rate
- Curriculum strength.
- Number of Programs.
- Location of school and safety
- Graduation & Employment Rate.
- Presence of professional teachers.
- Availability of hands-on practical training.
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What Are The Best Veterinary Schools In West Virginia?
Helping you find the perfect school for you is our plan here at Zikky. As such we have done our research and come up with the best veterinary colleges in West Virginia for students seeking to become a veterinarian.
Our choice of schools was made based on the overall quality of the school, the quality of the veterinary program they offer based on universal rankings, and the structure of the school to ensure the students gain hands-on training for practice upon graduation.
Now here is the list of the best West Virginia vet schools;
1. Carver Career Center
- School Tuition Cost: Not Specified
- Veterinary Degree Program: Associate
- School Area Safety: Safe and good campus safety rating.
- Location of School: 4799 Midland Dr, Charleston, WV 25306-6397
If you’re looking to study in a small school setting in West Virginia, your first consideration for a vet school is Carver Career Center. Carver Career Center is not just a good option for vet school, over the years it has even been reckoned as one of the best schools in West Virginia.
The veterinary program at Carver Career Center is an associate’s degree in Veterinary and Animal Health Technology and Assistance. This prepares you to become a veterinary assistant or a veterinary technician.
With an excellent rating for on-campus safety, you couldn’t be more excited to enroll in Carver Career Center. When it comes to ranking the best veterinary colleges, Carver Career Center comes 1st in West Virginia, 32nd in the South, and 96th in the United States. On the other hand, in the list of best technology & assistance school rankings, Carver Career Center ranks 1st in West Virginia, 13th in the South, and 41st in the United States.
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2. Mountwest Community and Technical College
- School Tuition Cost: $14,000 a year.
- Veterinary Degree Program: Associate
- School Area Safety: Safe and good campus safety rating.
- Location of School: One Mountwest Way Huntington, WV 25701
Next on our list of best veterinary colleges in West Virginia is Mountwest Community and Technical College. Mountwest Community and Technical College is also a public school offering many courses including a veterinary program. The college veterinary program is in Veterinary and Animal Health Technology Assistance which offers an Associate degree upon completion.
Some reason to enroll in Mountwest Community and Technical College is that the school is affordable, the campus is safe, and as such has an excellent rating for campus safety. Also, on the ranking of the best vet schools, Mountwest Community and Technical College ranks 2nd in West Virginia, 65th in the South, and 219th in the United States. On the other hand, Mountwest Community and Technical College ranks 2nd in West Virginia, 41st in the South, and 151st in the United States when it comes to the ranking of the best veterinary technology & assistance schools.
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3. BridgeValley Community & Technical College
- School Tuition Cost: $13,000 a year.
- Veterinary Degree Program: Associate
- School Area Safety: Safe and good campus safety rating.
- Location of School: 2001 Union Carbide Dr, South Charleston, WV 25136
If you are considering the best veterinary colleges in West Virginia, one of the schools on your list should be BridgeValley Community & Technical College: one of the small public schools in the state. The school BridgeValley offers associate’s degrees in Veterinary and Animal Health Technology and Assistance.
The good news about BridgeValley Community & Technical College is that the campus area is safe and as such you do not have to worry about your safety while on campus. Also, tuition is very affordable hence why it is one of the cheapest colleges in West Virginia.
Following the evaluation of the best veterinary schools, BridgeValley Community & Technical College ranks as the 3rd in West Virginia, 72nd in the South, and 240th in the USA. On the list of best technology & assistance schools, BridgeValley Community & Technical College ranks 3rd in West Virginia, 47th in the South, and 170th in the United States.
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4. Pierpont Community and Technical College
- School Tuition Cost: $36,000 a year.
- Veterinary Degree Program: Doctorate
- School Area Safety: Dangerous and bad campus safety rating.
- Location of School: 1201 Locust Ave, Fairmont, WV 26554
Lastly, one of the schools with the best veterinary programs in West Virginia is Pierpont Community and Technical College. Pierpont Community and Technical College is also small and a public school with diverse course options for students including veterinary programs. Currently, the Pierpont Community and Technical College is offering both certificates and associate’s degrees in Veterinary and Animal Health Technology and Assistance.
Tuition is affordable at Pierpont however, the school area is reported unsafe and as such has a very bad rating for personal safety. You may have to put that into consideration before enrolling in college.
On the ranking of best vet schools, Pierpont Community and Technical College ranks 4th in West Virginia, 81st in the South, and 277th in the United States. On the flip side, in the ranking of best technology & assistance schools, Pierpont Community and Technical College ranks 4th in West Virginia, 56th in the South, and 198th in the United States.
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How Do I Become A Veterinarian In West Virginia?
Most of the schools in West Virginia offer veterinary technology programs which means you’re gaining an associate degree upon completion.
So to become a veterinary technician in West Virginia, you need to get a degree from any of the best veterinary schools in the state. After graduation, write and pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) with a high score.
Follow the series of steps outlined for candidates in West Virginia to qualify for a license. Go on to apply for a license with the appropriate body in West Virginia. Finally, applicants must pass a crime screening and provide a letter of recommendation from a West Virginian veterinarian.
Where Do Veterinary Technologists Work?
Veterinary technologists work in a research facility and receive one of the three levels of certification offered by the American Laboratory Animal Association: Assistant Laboratory Technician, Laboratory Technician, or Laboratory Animal Technologist.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Best Veterinary Schools In West Virginia
Do I need to go to college to become a veterinary technician in West Virginia?
Although love and care for animals can lead you to a career in veterinary studies, having a degree certifies you as a vet. Therefore, yes, a career as a veterinary technician begins with a degree in veterinary technology. So you need to attend and go to one to become a veterinary technician in West Virginia.
To become a veterinary technologist, you will need a bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology to kickstart your career. Ensure the school you enroll in is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Must I go to an accredited school to become a veterinarian in West Virginia?
Yes, an accredited school is of necessity when considering enrolling in a vet school. Without a school accreditation, the program you enrolled in is considered not worth it.
Conclusion
Having read through this detailed guide above, we believe you have all you need to know about veterinary colleges, schools, and the best institutions for vet programs in West Virginia.
It is important to select a school that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) when pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. After choosing an institution, we recommend visiting the school’s website to review the application requirements. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific tuition costs for the program you plan to enroll in.
References
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