Veterinary Medicine Distance Education Key Terms

Understand terminology that will help you choose an appropriate distance education program

By Kristina Seleshanko

Whether you want to become a veterinary technician or you need to continue your education to work elsewhere in the veterinary medicine field, distance education is affordable, adaptable and becoming a more and more common choice. Most properly accredited distance education programs for veterinary medicine offer traditional classroom programs, which can make it a good option for motivated individuals with limited time.

AVMA

AVMA stands for the American Veterinary Medical Association. The AVMA is a professional organization for veterinarians, and it accredits some distance learning schools to teach in the field of veterinary medicine.
Try: The AVMA's website lists schools it accredits for veterinary technology education and training.

Consortium

In distance education, a consortium is two or more distance education schools that create or teach distance education courses together.
Try: National Network of Education discusses the future of veterinary education as seen by the North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium.

CE

CE stands for continuing education, or education received by someone who already has a veterinary degree. In order to keep a veterinary medical license, vets must obtain CE.
Try: The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) discusses CE and offers information on it Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) program.

Computer-based training

Computer-based training, or CBT, refers to instruction received under the guidance and feedback of a computer, instead of a human instructor. Most people receive computer-based training via the Internet or a CD-ROM.
Try: "Veterinary Practice Medicine," published by Elsevier Health Sciences, discusses how computer-based training can fit into a veterinary education.

Telecourse

A telecourse is an entire class delivered via television. Lessons may arrive through local access stations, cable television or DVDs.
Try: The Digital Library and Archives at Virginia Tech offers an article on innovative uses of technology, including telecourses, for veterinary medicine.

Video conferencing

Video conferencing is when distance learning takes place via satellite. Video conferencing allows students and teachers to see and hear each other, interacting much as they would in a traditional classroom, even though they may be in different cities, states or countries.
Try: PennState discusses its continuing education courses for those in veterinary medicine, including the use of video conferencing and similar technologies.