DVM Program Road Map for Students Entering Fall 2024 (Class of 2028) and Beyond

With a curriculum that focuses on comparative, integrated learning complemented by a wide array of elective and enrichment activities, our students are able to pursue their passions. By choosing one of our five species priority areas, as a DVM student, you are able to increase your depth of training with particular species of interest while working with advisors who can help you identify and prepare for the many career paths that your DVM degree can lead to.

Three years of pre-clinical coursework. One year of clinical training.

This academic professional program is comprised of two phases of education: a preclinical three-year phase and a clinical phase in the fourth year of training. The first through the third years of the professional program are concerned with a gradual progression from a basic science presentation to a more clinical application of veterinary science. Students have summer vacation after years one and two. Year Three leads directly into a full year of clinical training.

Year One

First year students engage in exploration of foundational science and medical concepts using a comparative (multi-species) approach designed around bodily systems. This learning is supplemented by training in communications, team-based problem solving, professionalism and clinical reasoning.

First Year
Fall Semester		Hours
VET 910	Professional Year One Seminar Series	1
VET 911	Animal Health & Disease 1	4.5
VET 912	Becoming a Professional 1	2
VET 913	Exams & Interventions 1	2
VET 914	Form & Function 1	9
VET 915	Integrated Applications 1	1.5
	Selective	1
	Hours	21
Spring Semester
VET 920	Professional Year One Seminar Series 2	1
VET 921	Animal Health & Disease 2	6
VET 922	Becoming a Professional 2	1.5
VET 923	Exams & Interventions 2	2
VET 924	Form & Function 2	7.5
VET 925	Integrated Applications 2	1
	Selective	1
	Hours	20
	Total First Year Hours	41

Year Two

Second year students build upon their foundational learning through application of skills in live and simulated contexts. This practice is supplemented by communications labs with live actors, tackling complex case scenarios, and discussion of career path opportunities.

Second Year
Fall Semester
VET 931	Animal Health & Disease 3	8.5
VET 932	Becoming a Professional 3	2
VET 933	Exams & Interventions 3	6
VET 934	Form & Function 3	4.5
VET 935	Integrated Applications 3	1
	Selective	1
	Hours	23
Spring Semester
VET 941	Animal Health & Disease 4	9.5
VET 942	Becoming a Professional 4	3
VET 943	Exams & Interventions 4	4
VET 944	Form & Function 4	1
VET 945	Integrated Applications 4	1
	Selective	1
	Hours	19.5
	Total Second Year Hours	42.5

Year Three

Third year students kick off the Fall Semester with a four week preceptorship field experience. On returning to campus, they practice advanced application of their medical skills and knowledge with complex cases across multiple species and contexts. Supplemental content reviews core principles from Year One and prepares students for entry to clinics. Students will have the opportunity to choose from a menu of core electives, with a requirement to take two credit hours in Fall and four credit hours in the Spring. These allow for targeted learning fit to their specific career interests.

Third Year
Fall Semester
VET 950	DVM Preceptorship	3
VET 951	Animal Health & Disease 5	8
VET 952	Becoming a Professional 5	2
VET 953	Exams & Interventions 5	7
VET 955	Integrated Applications 5	1
	Selective	1
	2 Credits of Core Electives	2
	Hours	24
Spring Semester
VET 961	Animal Health & Disease 6	10
VET 962	Becoming a Professional 6	2
VET 963	Exams & Interventions 6	4.5
VET 964	Form & Function 6	1.5
VET 965	Integrated Applications 6	1
VET 992	Clinical Pathology & Lab Medicine Selective	2
	4 Credits of Core Electives	4
	Hours	25
	Total Third Year Hours	49

Year Four

Students must complete 49 credits in the fourth year: 46 credits of clinical rotations and three credits in Clinical Conference. The clinical year consists of a combination of core and elective rotations that are determined based upon a student’s declared focus area with two vacation blocks. Clinical Conference presentations are required of each student.

Fourth Year
	Internal Medicine (Species Priority)	4
	Urgent/Emergency Medicine (Species Priority)	4
	Surgery (Species Priority)	4
	Primary Care (Species Priority)	4
	Diagnostic Concentration	4
	Anesthesia	4
	Population Medicine/Shelter Medicine/Epidemiology	2
	Non Species Priority Rotation	2
	Nine two week elective rotations (defined by Species Priority)	18
	Three VMC 995 Clinical Conference (summer, fall & spring)	3
	Total Fourth Year Hours	49
	Total DVM Curriculum Hours	181.5

Core Electives, Electives and Selectives

Students are given multiple opportunities to explore new and advanced topics through extra courses in the first three years. Selectives are required week-long courses occurring at the end of the first five semesters during which students may choose from a variety of options.

Core electives allow for targeted learning to fit specific career interests in the third year of study.  In the fall students will take 2 credits of core electives and 4 credits in the spring semester.  Some species priority areas may require specific core electives to be taken.  

Electives are optional courses available during the normal semester. Some species priority areas require students to complete certain Selectives or Electives in preparation for the Clinical year. Please visit the elective catalog for more information.

Graduation Requirements

Graduates of the DVM degree are required to complete the following courses in accordance with academic performance standards as listed in the Academic Handbook.

• All required semester courses (those not designated electives or core electives) in years one through three.
• Completion of five credit hours of selective courses, inclusive of required selectives.
• Completion of six credit hours of core electives
• Completion of all clinical rotation requirements associated with the candidate’s species priority area.
• Completion of the required and 90% of core clinical competencies as summarized here.
• Completion of 181.5 credits hours

Academic Advising

Thoughtful Guidance

Every DVM student is assigned a faculty advisor responsible for introducing that student to veterinary medicine, advising the student on selective/elective choices, signing the clinical competency book yearly and helping the student choose a species priority area. Once the student chooses a species priority area, the species priority area advisor usually replaces the original advisor, but it can remain the same person. Advising throughout the DVM program is a cornerstone of success at CVM. Read more about how advising works. 

Species Priority Areas

Students will identify a Species Priority in their second year to be their focus. Species Priority will allow students to prioritize their learning through access to selectives, electives, preceptorships, and rotations specific to their focus. Some species priority opportunities may require prerequisite courses for access. While it is possible to change your species priority after second year, students are encouraged to plan ahead and explore options in years one and two before selecting.

Students will select one from the following Species Priority Areas:

• Small Animal
• Farm Animal
• Equine 
• Mixed Animal
• Zoological and Lab Animal Health