Veterinary Medical Receptionist Certificate

Program Details

• Admission Requirements

  • 50% or better in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
  • 50% or better in Math 20-1 or 20-2
  • 50% or better in one of Biology 20, Chemistry 20 or Science 20
  • Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement 

  Academic Upgrading and High School Applicants: Applicants currently in high school or who are completing academic upgrading must submit proof of enrollment and any available interim/midterm marks. Final marks must be submitted within one month following the completion of the course(s) and no later than one month prior to the program start date.

  Alternate Admission: Alternate Admission status may be offered to applicants who have not or will not complete one of the academic admission requirements. To be considered under Alternate Admission Status, applicants will be asked to provide the following:

  1. (Required) Transcript(s) showing any completed high school and post-secondary courses
  2. (Required) Letter of Introduction and Intent, outlining the following:
     • Introduce yourself
     • Indicate why you wish to enrol in the program
     • Elaborate on your career goals
     • Detail your experience relevant to this program and the industry
  3. (Required) A resume of your work history, extracurricular activities, volunteer service, etc. for the last 5 years
  4. (Optional) Include copies of any tickets and/or certificates you currently hold (e.g.: first aid, safety tickets, etc.)
  5. (Optional) Letter(s) of reference from current or past employers/coaches/etc. (maximum of two letters)

  *Submitting Alternate Admission material does not guarantee admission*

  Transfer Options: Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has developed agreements with other educational institutions to allow for transition to Olds College, or to another institution to continue your education. Articulations & Agreements

  Out of Province Applicants: Please refer to the Provincial Equivalency Chart for course equivalencies.

  International Applicants: Olds College welcomes applications from International Applicants and those who have completed their high school education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency.

• Tuition, Fees & Affordability

  Estimated Tuition & Fees for Domestic Applicants

  Year	Tuition	Fees	Books & Supplies	Estimated Total
  Year 1	$5,900	$2,100	$800.00	$8,800

  • These fees are provided as estimates only based on the current academic year.
  • The estimate only includes tuition, mandatory fees and books & supplies.
  • Refer to the appropriate academic year Fee Schedule for the most up to date information.
  • International students pay a differentiated tuition rate and should refer to the appropriate academic year Fee Schedule.

  Tuition, Fees & Payments

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  Housing & Meal Plans

  Olds College offers two residence options — Centennial Village and College Courts. Students living on campus are required to choose a meal plan. Housing and meal plan costs are based on the full academic year (September to April), but students in single-term programs will only pay for the corresponding term. 

  For more details, visit Dining at Olds College and Campus Housing.

  Scholarships & Student Awards

  Olds College of Agriculture & Technology offers over 450 awards, valued at $500,000+ in scholarships, bursaries and prizes. Thanks to our industry partners, alumni, and friends of Olds College we are fortunate to offer a generous student awards program to students.

  For additional information on scholarships, bursaries and prizes at Olds College, visit Scholarships & Awards.

  Student Funding

  For information on how to apply for government student loans, financial aid or for help with financial planning, visit our Student Funding page.

  Entrance Awards

  Entrance awards range from $250 - $1,500 for students applying for the upcoming academic year and have paid the tuition deposit by the deadline.

  Awards are selected randomly from those that have applied and qualify based on the criteria. Award will be applied as a tuition credit to the student's account after the add/drop course deadline, confirming full-time attendance.

• Courses

  Please review the 2025/2026 Academic Calendar for current program details. 

  Term 1

  • Completed the following:

    • ANH1050 - Introduction to the Veterinary Profession
    • ANH1010 - Small Animal Behaviour and Handling
    • ANH1020 - Small Animal Clinical Foundations
    • ANH1030 - Veterinary Instruments and Equipment
    • ANH1040 - Essential Client Communication and Animal Care

  Term 2

  • Completed the following:

    • ANH1530 - Communication Skills for Client Care
    • ANH1550 - Veterinary Digital Applications
    • ANH1510 - Veterinary Medical Terminology
    • ANH1540 - Large Animal and Exotic Clinical Foundations
    • ANH1590 - Applied Industry Skills

• Admitted Students

  Immunizations

  Admitted students should be aware of occupational programs where potential for exposure to animals with disease/infection is high. Please read more about program specific Immunization Information.

  Program Dates

  Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.

  Class Registration

  You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

  Technology Recommendation

  It is strongly recommended that you come to Olds College with the following technology:

  • A laptop is preferred (Mac or PC)

  As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:

  • Go to portal.office.com
  • Enter your Olds College email address and password
  • Once logged in, there is a button on the right that says “Install Office Apps”

  This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.
  

  Materials & Supplies

  The following items are required to be purchased prior to the start of your program:

  • Coveralls recommended (short or long sleeve/washable/no bib brands)
  • Minimum of two sets of scrubs (can be any colour or pattern)
  • Rubber boots recommended
  • Indoor shoes to be worn in hospital areas
  • Soft leather gloves to be worn during large animal labs (optional)

  Information on other required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.

  Required Textbooks:

  • The Veterinary Receptionist - ISBN: 9780702029288 - $64.95 + GST

  Other Important Information:

  • Immunization Requirements: This program requires specific immunization requirements. Learn More