1 answer
Taylor
Student
Goodyear, Arizona
2
Questions
Updated
300 views
How hard is the program to become a veterinarian? How many years of schooling will i need to complete my degree?
I would like to study veterinary medicine and also participate in women's college basketball #fall2025
Login to comment
1 answer
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Taylor,
Just like medicine, veterinary medicine is a graduate degree. That means, you first have to earn a bachelors degree in any field. There is also a list of pre-requisites that you must pass before you can apply to veterinary school. Often, the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) are required as well. I left a link to the application requirements for University of Arizona for you below. You need to look up similar information for veterinary school you would consider to make sure you have correct and up-to-date information.
Veterinary school usually takes 4 years just like medical school. Some schools offer accelerated graduate programs, e.g. University of Arizona has a 3-year program (https://vetmed.arizona.edu/why-arizona-cvm/accelerated-program). Other schools, like Cornell and University of Florida have programs that integrate undergraduate and graduate phase into a shorter program.
After earning your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), you need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) and, if you want to practice in Arizona, the Arizona state-specific veterinary exam. You can then apply for a license from the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. If you want to specialize, there might be additional years of specialized training in residency.
Nobody will be able to tell you how hard YOU will find this education path. Just like medical school, veterinary school is very competitive, so you need to make sure that you want this and can put a competitive application forward. Also choose your undergraduate major so you can make career of it if things change and you don't want vet school any more.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.aavmc.org/pre-vet-students/
https://www.avma.org/education/center-for-veterinary-accreditation
https://vetmed.arizona.edu/admissions/prerequisites
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/veterinarian-rankings
Just like medicine, veterinary medicine is a graduate degree. That means, you first have to earn a bachelors degree in any field. There is also a list of pre-requisites that you must pass before you can apply to veterinary school. Often, the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) are required as well. I left a link to the application requirements for University of Arizona for you below. You need to look up similar information for veterinary school you would consider to make sure you have correct and up-to-date information.
Veterinary school usually takes 4 years just like medical school. Some schools offer accelerated graduate programs, e.g. University of Arizona has a 3-year program (https://vetmed.arizona.edu/why-arizona-cvm/accelerated-program). Other schools, like Cornell and University of Florida have programs that integrate undergraduate and graduate phase into a shorter program.
After earning your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), you need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) and, if you want to practice in Arizona, the Arizona state-specific veterinary exam. You can then apply for a license from the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. If you want to specialize, there might be additional years of specialized training in residency.
Nobody will be able to tell you how hard YOU will find this education path. Just like medical school, veterinary school is very competitive, so you need to make sure that you want this and can put a competitive application forward. Also choose your undergraduate major so you can make career of it if things change and you don't want vet school any more.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, Karin!
Taylor