The Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine has expanded its online Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate program to give educators a simple, affordable way to introduce high school students to the veterinary profession.
Through the program, high school students can now earn a Junior Veterinary Scribe Certificate that provides practical skills and experiences they can highlight on college and job applications. For those considering veterinary or animal science careers, the certificate offers a strong head start, while students exploring other fields benefit from strengthened communication, problem-solving and client interaction skills.
For a one-time fee of $99, schools receive three years of access to the asynchronous online platform, which is automatically updated with the most current veterinary information. The license can be used with an entire classroom, subsections, or individual students at no additional cost. All course materials, instructor grading keys, and support resources are included, so no prior veterinary knowledge is required to teach the courses. Educators and students also have access to WSU’s Paraprofessional Program Support Team, which can provide additional resources and live lectures upon request.
“This program was designed to make it as simple as possible for teachers to give students a meaningful introduction to veterinary medicine,” said Hilary Koenigs, director of WSU’s Paraprofessional Certificate Program. “They don’t need a veterinary background to lead it, and the affordability means schools can offer it broadly to students who are interested.”
All course materials, instructor grading keys, and support resources are included, so no prior veterinary knowledge is required to teach the courses.
The Junior Veterinary Scribe Certificate introduces students to medical terminology, pharmacology, anatomy, medical record transcription, and professional communication. It is designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the veterinary field, including as scribes, while also reinforcing concepts students may later encounter in veterinary technician programs, pre-veterinary studies, and other biology-related fields.
“The program offers a unique opportunity that equips students with a solid foundation and the essential skills needed for a career in veterinary medicine,” said Veronica Sweeney, who serves as the program’s administrative manager. “The certificate is great for students who are thinking about veterinary medicine as a career path.”
The flexible online format allows the program to be used in the classroom or as an extracurricular option.
“Our hope is that teachers see this as a tool they can easily bring into their classrooms to inspire the next generation of veterinary professionals,” Koenigs said.
Students can also individually pursue the Junior Veterinary Scribe Certificate or a Companion Animal Preventative Health Certificate, which focuses on spay and neuter protocols, vaccinations, parasite prevention, zoonotic diseases, diagnostics, dental care, nutrition, behavior, and senior and end-of-life care. Course material is reinforced with case-based scenarios, quizzes, and interactive learning exercises designed to promote strong, positive communication with clients. Complex case-based assessments also help students practice in-depth client interaction skills needed as new team members in veterinary hospitals.
“Preventative health and communication are at the heart of veterinary practice, so we built the preventative health certificate around the skills students will need most,” Koenigs said. “Both certificates not only introduce them to the profession but also provide experiences they can highlight on college and job applications.”
Each certificate consists of 10 online learning modules that students can complete at their own pace. Upon successful completion of the requirements, students receive a certificate of completion from the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine.
For additional information about the paraprofessional certificate program, including program syllabi or to schedule a presentation for your school about the program, email veronica.sweeney@wsu.edu.
