• Students in Pennsylvania can study to be veterinary technicians.frau doktor image by Yvonne Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
  
  Four-year universities are simply not for everyone. Rather than working toward a degree for several years, students in technical and vocational schools are able to complete training in two years or less---some in less than 12 months. Pennsylvania is home to vocational schools that cater to fields like business, medicine and criminal justice. By enrolling in one of these schools, you can focus on the training you need for the career you want.
  
  

Vet Tech Institute

• At Pittsburgh's Vet Tech Institute campus, future veterinary technicians are trained in all aspects of the field. Students learn how to take and read X-rays, analyze tests, and perform surgical and other procedures, such as animal neutering. Though the institute has campuses across the country, the Pittsburgh campus offers amenities that make it particularly well-equipped for training vet techs. For example, there is an on-site kennel where students can gain experience working with real animals---not just examples in a textbook. The school is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, so students may take the national licensing exam after graduation, meaning you could become a licensed technician in a year and a half.
  
  Vet Tech Institute
  125 7th St.
  Pittsburgh, PA 15222
  (412) 391-7021
  vettechinstitute.edu
  
  

Bradford School

• Bradford School offers hands-on training across three major fields, with many programs that can be completed in one year or less. Business students can study to work in legal administration, accounting or marketing, complete with externships that offer genuine experience in the field. Students who want to work in health care may train to become dental or medical assistants---dental assistant students even have the opportunity to train in a simulated dental clinic. Students at Bradford can also study computers, from the ins and outs of networking and programming to art of graphic design. The school offers financial aid and career placement opportunities, and in 2009, 98 percent of students who utilized the Career Placement Department found jobs.
  
  Bradford School
  125 Station Square Dr.
  Pittsburgh, PA 15219
  (800) 391-6810
  bradfordpittsburgh.edu
  
  

Central Pennsylvania College

• Central Pennsylvania College, located just outside the state capital of Harrisburg, offers both associates and bachelors degrees, making it a versatile school where students can continue their educations past the associates level. It offers associates degrees in fields like criminal justice and marketing. Criminal justice students, for example, have the opportunity to complete hands-on training in the skills professionals must possess---they also complete internships with local and statewide agencies. Marketing students learn sales, promotions and advertising skills, as well as experience working for an on-campus business. These and other associates degree programs are available either on campus or online through Central Penn's distance learning program.
  
  Central Pennsylvania College
  College Hill & Valley roads
  Summerdale, PA 17093
  (800) 759-2727
  centralpenn.edu