List of Veterinarian Colleges and Universities in the United States
Higher Education Articles February 19, 2013Students who are unsure about which veterinary college they should join, they have to take into account the location of a school, the fees it charges and the nature of programs it offers before they will be able to decide on their final selection of the college or university to pursue. For instance, students may want to complete a doctoral degree or concurrently earn a graduate degree in a supplementary field.
Selecting a Veterinarian School
A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) is the standard credential students will need, if they want to practice in the field. Admission to some schools would allow students to simultaneously earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree or a Master of Public Health (MPH) even while completing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. If students aspire to work in a public health agency, they will be well off in enrolling into a DVM-MPH program. On the other hand, if they plan to set up their own veterinary business, they should choose a joint DVM-MBA program. If students want to practice veterinary medicine, but currently work in academia, they should pursue a DVM-Ph.D. program.
Students should consider the length of the course before selecting a program. It takes four years to complete a traditional DVM program. In some schools, the addition of a master degree would take an additional year. It takes about seven years to complete a DVM-Ph.D. program.
When students consider the location of a school, they should not ignore the fact that only twenty-eight schools in twenty-six states carry accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Given the few universities offering education in the field, they may have to relocate from their current place of residence. This is especially true if students want to enroll in a joint program.
Students should consider the cost factor. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs can be expensive and lengthy. Technology and lab fees, loan and tuition costs or funding availability effect a student’s decision on the veterinarian college or university; however, if a student agrees to work in a rural or underserved area for a period of time then some states may offer loan forgiveness, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Overview of Veterinary Program
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Applicants to a DVM program are required to have satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores and prior experience in the field. Coursework includes subject areas such as pathology, pharmacology, animal anatomy. Epidemiology, equine care and diagnostic radiology are also covered. Completion of courses must be followed by passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination.
