Name: Veterinary Office Assistant
Brand: Veterinary Office Assistant

all about

Veterinary Office Assistant

Be the important member of the veterinary office team that has essential administrative skills. Learn the common health issues of companion animals. Topics covered include financial management, veterinary computer software, client care, and veterinary terminology. Students also learn clinical assisting skills in animal handling and surgical instrument preparation. Graduates have excellent employment prospects with a high rate of recruitment.

Time commitment

This is a one-year (two term) certificate program. A standard course load is five courses per term. Students can maintain full time status with at least three courses. Taking less than five courses per term will take longer to complete the program.

Program Delivery

Courses are available both in class and online. Please note that not all courses may be available online each semester. Consult with Academic Advising Team to assist with your program planning.

Available intakes

Starts in

Registration opens in

Domestic

International

September 2026

Transcripts due:

Domestic

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Open

Applications closes:

Application Opens:

Transcripts due within two weeks of application submission.

Transcripts due:

International

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Open

January 2027

Transcripts due:

Domestic

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Open

Applications closes:

Application Opens:

Transcripts due within two weeks of application submission.

Transcripts due:

International

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Open

Starts in

Registration opens in

March 9, 2026 for May 2026 course start dates

July 6, 2026 for September 2026 course start dates

To register in an Open Studies course, find the course in the list below and click on the course code. Select the offering of the course that you would like to take, add it to the cart, proceed to checkout, and pay with a credit card.
‍Registration for all courses opens at 9:00 A.M. Calgary time.

March 9, 2026 for May 2026 course start dates

July 6, 2026 for September 2026 course start dates

Program availability and start dates are subject to change. Admission is based on first applied, first qualified.

Admission requirements

Credit in English Language Arts 30-1 or minimum 65% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent
Credit in a Grade 10 math (excluding Math 10-4 and Math 16 levels)

Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test that consists of five tests with a minimum score in the following sections:

Language Arts: Reading and Writing: 520 minimum standard score
Math Test: 450 minimum score

Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admission and Placement Test

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English proficiency

If English is not your first language, please review the English language proficiency requirements.

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Academic upgrading

Missing a required admission criteria? Complete academic upgrading before applying.

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Provincial equivalencies

If you studied outside of Alberta, you can see which of your courses is equivalent to an admission requirement.

International Students:
‍Check whether your previous studies completed outside Canada meet the admission requirements using our country-specific document list.

Tuition and fees

Term

Tuition fees

Additional fees

Total fees*

Term 1

$2,600

$605

$3,205

Term 2

$3,346

$564

$3,910

Estimated total tuition:

total cost

Term

Tuition fees

Additional fees

Total fees*

Term 1

$6,374

$605

$6,979

Term 2

$8,857

$564

$9,421

Estimated total tuition:

total cost

*All tuition and fees are subject to change. Program tuitions are estimates only. Your actual tuition and fees are calculated on actual course registrations and can be viewed under "Statement of Account" in MyBVC or by requesting a Statement of Account from Registrar Services.

Courses

Legend:

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Zero Textbook Cost

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Course is eligible for PLAR

Not all delivery modes are available for all courses or programs, and not all courses are available each term. Students should follow up on their individual program areas or their MyBVC for information for courses delivery types and availability.

‍Delivery modes, descriptions, and availability of courses each term are subject to change.

Term 1

Complete the following courses:

Code	Course	Credits	PDF
HUCL1101	Professional Practice and Communication in Health Care	3	picture_as_pdf
HUCL1401	Medical Terminology	3	picture_as_pdf
VOAS1202	Small Animal Health Management	3	picture_as_pdf
VOAS1301	Financial Management for the Veterinary Office	3	picture_as_pdf
VOAS1100	Introduction to the Veterinary Profession	3	picture_as_pdf

Term 2

Complete the following courses:

Code	Course	Credits	PDF
MGMT1201	Business Communication	3	picture_as_pdf
MGMT1302	Computer Applications	3	picture_as_pdf
VOAS1401	Clinical Skills for the Veterinary Office	3	picture_as_pdf
VOAS1402	Small Animal Behaviour and Handling	3	picture_as_pdf
VOAS1601	Administrative Skills for the Veterinary Office	3	picture_as_pdf

Earn at least 3 credits from the following courses:

Code	Course	Credits	PDF
VOAS1997	Veterinary Office Assistant Applied Research and Capstone Project	3	picture_as_pdf
VOAS1998	Veterinary Office Assistant Service Learning	3	picture_as_pdf
VOAS1999	Field Placement for Veterinary Office Assistants	3	picture_as_pdf

Frequently asked questions

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Veterinary Office Assistant

If you enjoy spending your day with four-legged friends from the animal kingdom, then this Veterinary Office Assistant program could be for you.