10 Best Online Vet Office Manager Programs

The pet care industry has experienced astounding growth in recent years.

The need for qualified people to care for animals and pets in the U.S. is not limited to veterinarians.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that there will be “much faster than average” job growth in other areas where people care for and treat animals.

One career option for people who do not want to complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and obtain a license to become a veterinarian is to work as a vet office manager.

Vet office managers have important responsibilities on the non-clinical side of a veterinary practice.

Completing one of the best online vet office manager programs prepares people to have a good job with good pay without spending years completing a degree.

Best Online Vet Office Manager Training Programs

The best online vet office manager training programs give students the skills and knowledge that they need to work on the non-clinical side of a vet clinic, private practice, or vet hospital.

They provide an in-depth curriculum that includes courses that cover office skills, technology, and other skills that people need to become vet office managers.

The best programs also include some veterinary assistant courses.

People who complete a vet office manager program likely know how to manage a vet office, compared to job applicants who do not complete a program.

The average salary for vet managers in the U.S. in March 2025 was $87,824.

People who enroll in the best online vet office manager programs are likely to earn a higher salary, compared to vet office managers who do not complete a program.

1. Broward College

Broward College offers a Veterinary Office Manager program that has open enrollment.

Students have up to 12 months to complete the 382-course-hour program.

Students learn the essential skills that are required to manage the business side of a vet practice.

They learn essential Microsoft Office Skills, QuickBooks, and the basic skills for vet assistants.

Some things that students learn about include bookkeeping, basic accounting, and the technology used by vet office managers.

They also learn basic vet assistant skills.

The program costs $3,795.

The cost includes tuition, course materials, and a voucher to sit for the QuickBooks Certified User (QBCU) exam.

2. Idaho State University

Students who enroll in the Online Veterinary Office Manager program at Idaho State University have 12 months to complete the self-paced program.

The program focuses on preparing students to work in the non-clinical role of a vet office manager.

It teaches them office management skills, technology, and the day-to-day responsibilities of vet office managers.

Study key Microsoft Office skills.

Learn professional bookkeeping skills and the skills that are required of vet assistants.

A few of the QuickBooks courses include Introduction to Bookkeeping, Recording Expenses and Paying Bills, Managing Inventory, and Payroll.

Students who complete the program receive a voucher for the QuickBooks Certified User exam.

The cost of the program is $3,795.

3. Valdosta State University

The Office of Professional and Community Education at Valdosta State University offers its Veterinary Office Manager program in an online, self-paced format.

Students have up to a year to complete the program.

Students learn to efficiently use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and QuickBooks.

They learn the duties of vet office managers, how to create or send information and data, and how to handle patient medical records.

They also learn about legal standards that apply to accounting and about the duties of vet assistants.

The program’s cost of $3,795 includes tuition, instructional materials, and a QuickBooks Certified User exam voucher.

4. Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University Innovative Education and Partnerships has a 382-course-hour Veterinary Office Manager program that students complete at their own pace.

Start a new career as a vet office manager or transition from another vet job to become a vet office manager.

Students learn the latest skills in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and QuickBooks.

They also gain basic knowledge of some vet-assisting duties.

Some topics include handling medical records, analyzing accounts and reports, managing inventory, and handling customer issues and complaints.

Students learn safety and infection control, how to handle emergencies, team culture, and communication.

The program cost is $3,795, which includes tuition, materials, and a voucher for the QuickBooks exam.

5. Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is home to Kirkwood College.

The school has a 12-month Veterinary Office Manager program that gives students the knowledge and skills that they need to start their career in the vet industry.

The online program features open enrollment and a self-paced method of study.

Learn the basic skills of the office management side of a vet practice.

The program also includes courses in veterinary medical terminology and working as a member of the vet healthcare team.

Students learn QuickBooks Online, which is important for working as an office manager.

The school gives students who complete the program a voucher to sit for the QuickBooks Certified User (QBCU) exam.

The tuition and all instructional materials are included in the $3,795 program cost.

Students receive a one-year membership to QuickBooks Online.

6. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Start a career or transition from another vet job by completing the online Veterinary Office Manager program offered at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

The 12-month self-paced program consists of 382 course hours of study.

Students learn the basic skills and the more advanced skills to work as a vet office manager.

They take courses in office management and learn the key skills of Microsoft Office.

Students learn about communicating with animal owners and being a team member at a vet practice.

Students learn important things about the role of vet assistants.

They learn to care for small and large animals and exotic species.

They also learn about animal nutrition, administering medications, and assisting during procedures.

Students learn QuickBooks Online and receive a voucher to sit for the certified user exam.

They also receive a one-year membership to QuickBooks Online as part of the $3,795 program cost.

7. Central Michigan University

Enroll in the Central Michigan University Online Veterinary Office Manager program and take up to one year to complete the program.

Students gain the knowledge to operate and manage the business side of a vet practice.

Learn Microsoft Word, Excel, and QuickBooks Online.

Complete the program with basic bookkeeping and accounting skills.

Gain the knowledge and skills that are needed for vet assistants.

Students also learn about veterinary medical terminology, communicating with clients and co-workers, and professional development.

The program’s cost of $3,795 includes tuition, instructional materials, and a voucher for the QuickBooks Certified User exam.

8. University of Houston

The University of Houston offers a 382-course-hour Veterinary Office Manager program that students complete in an online format.

Learn how to communicate with pet owners, clients, vendors, and team members.

Students learn Microsoft Word, Introductory Excel, and Intermediate Excel.

They also learn QuickBooks Online.

Some topics covered in the courses include recording expenses and paying bills, credit cards and loans, managing projects and sales, and managing inventory.

Students complete some veterinary assistant course hours.

The topics include what to do in an emergency, laboratory procedures, pharmacy procedures, and safety and infection control.

The program costs $3,795.

The cost covers tuition, instructional materials, and a voucher to sit for the QuickBooks Certified User exam.

9. University of Louisiana, Lafayette

Enroll in the Online Veterinary Office Manager program at the University of Louisian,a Lafayet,te and take up to 12 months to complete the program.

The program has open enrollment, which means that students can enroll at any time.

The program prepares students to work on the non-clinical side of a vet clinic, private practice, or hospital.

Students learn about working as part of the vet office team, communicating with the vet team, animal owners, and vendors.

They learn Microsoft Word, Excel, and QuickBooks.

Students complete several hours of vet-assisting courses, including topics on animal nutrition, vaccines, and assisting with small and large animal care.

The program’s cost is $3,895, which includes tuition, a voucher for the QuickBooks Certified User exam, and instructional materials.

10. California State University San Bernadino

The Online Veterinary Office Manager program at California State University, San Bernardino is offered by the College of Extended and Global Education.

Students have the benefit of open enrollment.

They also benefit from taking up to one year to complete the self-paced program.

Students gain the skills that are needed to manage the business side of a veterinary practice.

Some things that they learn are Microsoft Word, Introductory Excel, and Intermediate Excel.

They complete QuickBooks Online and receive a voucher to sit for the certification user exam.

Students learn the duties of vet office managers, office etiquette, and communication skills.

The syllabus includes some veterinary assistant courses.

The cost of the program is $3,895, which includes tuition and all instructional materials.

What Courses Are in an Online Vet Office Manager Program?

Students complete 382 course hours in most online vet office manager programs.

The Microsoft Essentials courses include Introduction to Microsoft Word, Introductory Excel, and Intermediate Excel.

Students take several Professional Bookkeeping with QuickBooks Online Courses.

Some courses include Introduction to Bookkeeping, Accounting Basics, Billable Expenses and Customer Credits, and Invoices, Estimates, and Customizing Sales Forms.

Some other courses include Managing Inventory, Adjusting and Reviewing the Books, and Payroll.

The Vet Assistant courses include Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology, and Terminology, Small Animal Nursing Procedures, and Hospitalized Patient Care.

Can You Earn a Vet Office Manager Certification Completely Online?

The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) introduced the Certified Veterinary Office Manager program in 2024. C

andidates must have one year of practice experience in certain duties and two letters of reference.

People who take the exam do so through a computer-based testing format that is in a proctored setting.

The testing centers are conveniently located throughout North America.

Remote testing is not available for this exam.

Certified vet office managers submit proof that they have completed 18 continuing education hours along with the required fee for their recertification.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Vet Office Manager Certification Online?

Vet office managers who want to have an edge over other job applicants usually complete an online vet office manager program.

Completing the 12-month online program gives students the skills and knowledge that they need to work on the non-clinical side of a vet practice.

The certification process requires that vet office managers have at least one year of experience during the last three years before they are eligible to take the certification exam.

How Much Does an Online Vet Office Manager Certification Cost?

People who want to enroll in a vet office manager program should pay attention to the cost.

Most vet office manager programs cost less than $3,800.

Some schools charge more than $4,500 to complete their vet office manager program, even though the coursework is the same as other, less expensive programs.

The cost includes tuition, instructional materials, and a voucher to sit for the QuickBooks Certified User exam.

It does not cover the cost of becoming a Certified Veterinary Office Manager.

The March 1, 2025, exam fee for VHMA members was $495. Non-members pay $595 to take the certification exam.

Summary

People who want a career in the veterinary industry do not have to spend several years in college or obtain a license to work in a veterinary practice.

Completing one of the best online vet office manager training programs gives students the benefits of completing coursework at home, at their own pace.

The best online programs give students the knowledge and skills that are needed to manage a vet practice office.

The programs also have vet assistant courses. Students usually complete the program within a year.

The program cost includes all materials and tuition.

Vet office managers who meet the requirements can earn a certification from the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA).

A Certified Veterinary Office Manager has an edge over other applicants and is likely to earn a higher salary.