What education is required to be a veterinarian

Veterinarians provide medical services to a wide variety of creatures, ranging from small animals such as cats and dogs to larger farm animals and exotic species. Becoming a veterinarian requires years of hard work and dedication, as well as specific educational requirements.

The first step to becoming a veterinarian is completing an undergraduate degree from a four-year college or university. While there is no specific degree program required for admission into veterinary school, students can benefit from majoring in biological sciences. It is also beneficial for aspiring veterinarians to have taken courses in zoology, animal behavior, animal nutrition, genetics, anatomy and physiology. Beyond the technical courses related to biology, skills classes like communications and critical thinking are important for helping future veterinarians think clearly and develop problem solving skills.

The next step is gaining admission into veterinary school. Because the field of veterinary medicine is so competitive, applicants should have stellar grades in their coursework that show their commitment to learning. Strong performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) will also help demonstrate academic prowess. Additionally, many schools look favorably upon experience working with animals such as volunteering at animal shelters or doing research at zoos or aquariums prior to applying.

Assuming they gain admission into veterinary school and all goes according to plan, prospective veterinarians are looking at investing another four years of their life in pursuit of their dream career. Veterinary students typically complete clinical rotations in different departments within veterinary schools so they get exposure to a broad array of medical specialties like emergency care, nutrition counseling, surgery and zoological medicine. Upon completion of their studies – which generally includes passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam – a veterinarian can pursue further specialization within the field if desired (e.g., focusing on small animals or equine medicine).

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