DVM Curriculum

The academic professional program calls for two phases of education. A preclinical three-year phase is followed by a clinical phase in the fourth year of training.

The first through the third year of the professional program are concerned with a gradual progression from a basic science presentation to a more clinical application of veterinary science. Two summer vacation periods are allowed in the first three years of the professional program. Each of the first 6 semesters in the curriculum are divided into a 13 week core course period followed by two weeks of “selectives.” Individual selectives are one or two weeks in length, each week corresponding to one academic credit. All students are required to complete two credits of selectives in each of the first six semesters.

The format of the last or fourth year of the professional program calls for a “block system” approach to clinical education.The academic calendar is divided into 2- or 3-week block segments. Students are required to successfully complete a minimum number of courses for graduation. Off-campus experiences are possible in private practice, industry, federal government, and/or post-doctoral opportunities. Four 2-week vacation blocks are possible during the fourth year of the program.  The clinical program provides a heavy emphasis for actual “hands-on” clinical practice and is demanding both physically and mentally. Students are required to select ” focus areas” that determine the required rotations for the senior year and give priority for elective blocks in those focus areas. 

Clinical Competencies

Veterinary graduates must have the basic scientific knowledge, skills and values to practice veterinary medicine, independently, at the time of graduation. At a minimum, graduates must be competent in providing entry-level health care for a variety of animal species. Learn more about the process and tracking competencies through the links below.