Planning to work as a veterinary technician or technologist? Two-year associate degree programs in veterinary technology are offered at McLennan Community College in Waco and Cedar Valley College in Lancaster. Cedar Valley College also offers a veterinary assistant certificate in small or large animal care that can be earned in one year. Several Dallas universities feature strong biology programs to prepare for post-graduate studies in veterinary medicine. For students pursuing careers in health professions, including animal health, the bachelor of science degree in biology at the University of Texas, Dallas is ideal. The pre-med program at Southern Methodist University serves pre-veterinary students looking for a private college atmosphere. Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Waco is the nearest school awarding doctoral degrees to veterinarians, with degree options that include veterinary integrative biosciences, large animal clinical studies, small animal clinical studies, and veterinary pathobiology.

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, job growth for veterinary technologists in the Dallas area is predicted at a hearty 38% through 2012. Veterinarians can expect 19% job growth through 2012, and job growth for veterinary assistants and animal care workers is predicted to be 21% during that period.