Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 University Catalog 
    
2015-2016 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Veterinary Medicine, DVM


About the Program

The veterinary profession is a diverse, exciting and rewarding occupation that allows for pursuits in a variety of fields including community health, food resource management, wildlife preservation, marine biology and many others. It allows you to take your passions and apply them to advance animal, and even human, health. If you are ready to explore what it takes to become a veterinarian, check out our DVM Program for requirements and additional information including an early admission program for high achieving high school seniors. Whether you are in high school, middle school or grade school, it’s never too early see what drives you. For high school and middle school students interested in a week long summer camp to experience the world of veterinary medicine, we host Boiler Vet Camp every summer.

Summary of Program Requirements

The Summary of Program Requirements for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine  is a comprehensive list of those categories which a student must fulfill in order to earn their degree. Unlike the full Detailed Program Requirements listed below, complete lists of selectives for any given category are not shown. These summaries are intended to be printer-friendly and less expansive in detail.

Detailed Program Requirements

Please see below for detailed program requirements and possible selective fulfillments.

Program Requirements


18 Credits


18 Credits


18 Credits


18 Credits


Year 3


  • Core/elective approach
  • Courses organized along species lines
  • Core courses
    • required for all tracks
    • cover all major domestic species and all major disciplines
  • Core - selection required courses
    • student must take a minimum number of credits in the discipline but can choose the species focus
  • Electives
    • chosen based on track and student’s career goals
    • choices made in consultation with faculty advisor

Fall Semester


Spring Semester


Year 4


The fourth year consists entirely of clinical rotations. There are no didactic courses in the fourth year. The fourth year begins the Monday following semester 6 final examinations and continues for a full 12 months.

The fourth year curriculum is determined by the student’s track. Track selection occurs during semester 5 while selecting electives for semester 6. The track chosen determines the required and elective blocks for the fourth year. There are seven tracks:

1. Equine track

2. Food animal track

3. Small animal track

4. Companion animal track (horses and small animals)

5. Large animal track (horses and food animals)

6. Mixed animal track (all species)

7. Non-practice track (for individuals targeting a career in industry or research)

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical. A Critical Course is one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.