Degree in Veterinary Medicine: Program Overviews
There is only one program that qualifies graduates to work as veterinarians, which is the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). A DVM program takes four years of full-time study to complete and prepares graduates for careers in private practice, research or teaching. This degree can be combined with a Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program teaches the anatomy, physiology and life processes of animals. This understanding of common animal health functions provides a foundation for learning the detection and treatment of diseases and ailments. The first three years of study provide a foundation in animal disease prevention, diagnosis and clinical therapy. Depending on the program, areas of specialization may also be offered.
DVM programs feature clinical rotations during the final year. These allow students to gain practical experience and apply their knowledge of veterinary medicine. Some DVM programs offer a thesis option. Completion of a thesis is strongly encouraged for those students who plan to pursue a master's or doctoral degree in veterinary science. Thesis research proposals should be submitted during the first or second year of enrollment.
Educational Prerequisites
Many veterinary schools do not have formal degree requirements. However, they do have course requirements in the physical sciences, biological sciences and mathematics. Those applicants with an undergraduate degree in either the biological or physical sciences will be best prepared for veterinary study. Veterinary schools may request scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as well as letters of personal or professional recommendation. A resume listing any animal health science experience may be required.
Program Coursework
Classes almost always feature a laboratory component. Coursework may become more specialized during the third year of study. Typical subjects include:
- Pharmacology
- General pathology
- Histology
- Gross anatomy
- Large animal surgery
- Small animal medicine
- Animal behavior
- Bovine procedures
Career Outlook and Salary Information
Many graduates of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program pursue careers as veterinarians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, vetertinarins earned an average annual salary of $79,050. From 2008-2018, this career field is expected to grow by 33% due to increasing emphasis on pet healthcare, especially for small pets (www.blos.gov).
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Medicine
A combined Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Medicine program prepares students for careers in the veterinary sciences research industry. Specialty tracks may be available, and may affect whether the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is completed before or after the Doctor of Philosophy. Most combined DVM-Ph.D. programs are structured as four years of DVM study plus three years of Ph.D. study. Program length could take longer than seven years if a student is slowly progressing with research, but a maximum limit is usually set by the school.
A DVM-Ph.D. degree in veterinary medicine combines core coursework and clinical rotations with research in biomedical sciences. Research interests vary but may include veterinary surgery, pathology, pharmacology, immunology and anatomy. Prior to choosing an area of specialization, students complete a series of laboratory rotations that introduce the various sub-specialties of veterinary science. Schools of veterinary medicine may offer fellowships for graduates of a combine DVM-Ph.D. program so that they can continue their research upon graduation. The DVM-Ph.D. degree is the terminal degree in the field of veterinary medicine and veterinary science.
Educational Prerequisites
An undergraduate degree in the sciences is required for admission into a combined Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy program. Admissions committees also seek evidence of outstanding academic achievement. Typically, only select few candidates are admitted into DVM-Ph.D. programs. Letters of recommendation are required, as are scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Program Coursework
The DVM-Ph.D. curriculum combines general veterinary medicine coursework with classes that focus on aspects of veterinary science research methodology. Topics include:
- Veterinary anatomy
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Veterinary practice
- Immune system
- Animal care
- Physical examination methods
- Virology
Popular Career Options
Many graduates of a combined degree program in veterinary medicine secure employment with universities, government agencies and biomedical research facilities. Possible careers include:
- Professor of veterinary medicine
- Veterinary medicine research scientist
- Biomedical research scientist
Continuing Education Information
Graduates of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or Doctor of Philosophy of Veterinary Science program who are pursuing careers as veterinarians first have to pass a national board exam. The North American Veterinary Licensing Exam covers all areas of veterinary practice and consists of 360 multiple-choice questions. Those eligible to sit for the exam must complete all areas in eight hours or less.
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