College Requirements for a DVM
A student aspiring to be a veterinarian must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, or DVM, in order to be licensed. A DVM is licensed to diagnose and treat medical conditions and injuries to animals. Many major universities in the United States offer DVM programs to qualifying students. The college requirements for a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine can be found on most college program websites.
Earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree
- An aspiring vet med student should graduate with a bachelor’s degree from a university. Some schools offer pre-veterinary science, but this type of degree is not necessary to be admitted into a DVM program. Veterinary medical colleges require courses in: chemistry, biology, physics, biochemistry, animal biology, animal nutrition, vertebrate embryology, microbiology, zoology, English, humanities and social sciences.
- When applying for admission to vet school, students must make sure that the school is accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). There are 28 colleges in the United States that meet the accreditation standards set by the AVMA.
- Depending on the college application plans, the student must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT), or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
- Earning a DVM takes about four years to complete and three semesters spent in clinical rotations at animal health facilities, in addition to attending classroom lectures.
- Some of the courses required include: animal anatomy, human and animal relationships, immunology, veterinary medicine and law, veterinary anesthesia, large and small animal surgery, canine dentistry, exotic animal health and immunology.
Obtaining Licensure
- Licensing may vary by state. All states require the completion of a DVM degree and passing the national board examination, the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam.
- Some states also require veterinarians to pass a test covering state laws and regulations.
- Most states have continuing education requirements for licensed veterinarians.