Britanny
How many years should it take to become a veterinarian ?
#animal-health #veterinary-medicine #veterinarian #animals #veterinary
9 answers
Sheila Jordan
Sheila’s Answer
Hello Britanny: It's awesome that you want to work with our furry four legged friends. In the United States, veterinary school is a four-year (4) degree program following undergraduate Bachelor’s degree level education (a total of 7 to 9 years: 3 to 5 years undergraduate plus four (4) years of veterinary school).
After graduating from veterinary school, many new graduates choose an additional year of general or specialty clinical training as interns. Some pursue 2 to 5 years of additional residency training leading to board certification and practice within a wide variety of medical or surgical specialties, such as neurology, cardiology, dermatology, orthopedic surgery, equine medicine, zoo medicine, etc.
Here are a few sites that I researched that could help you get started in the right direction:
How long do I need to go to veterinarian school?
http://iwanttobeaveterinarian.org/default.aspx?pid=5585&id=7789623
How do I prepare for veterinary school? Is there a "good" major? What experience do I need?
http://iwanttobeaveterinarian.org/default.aspx?pid=5585&id=7789631
Occupational Outlook Handbook
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinarians.htm
I wish you the best in your career to become a Veterinarian. Our furry friends need you. :)
Good Luck to You!
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Tristan
Ralph Yerex
Ralph’s Answer
Tania Hunt
Tania’s Answer
Hi Britanny,
I noticed you are in Jamaica. The veterinary school in your country in a 5 year program right out of secondary/high school. This is true for a lot of countries around the world.
Tania recommends the following next steps:
Isaac Pratt
Isaac’s Answer
Courtney Riel
Courtney’s Answer
You're looking at 8-10 years of college. First you'll need to get your Bachelor's degree. If you're really dedicated, you can get that done in 4 years (5 years if you need to retake classes). Then you apply to vet school to get your DVM (Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine). It will take you another 4 years to get your DVM (or 5 if you need to retake classes). After that, you'll have to pass the state licensing exam before you can start practicing.
Mary McKinney
Mary’s Answer
Becka Walker Byrd
Becka Walker’s Answer
Good Question! The usual course is 8 years, 4 in undergraduate school and 4 in veterinary school. If you want to be a specialist (oncologist, dermatologist, neurologist, etc) that will require additional schooling. My own path took 9 years because I also went to graduate school and earned a Master’s Degree while I was in vet school. Sometimes it takes a little longer because vet school is particularly difficult to get into. In that case people try over several years so they may take more schooling or courses, like earn a Master’s, prior to gaining admittance to vet school.
Becka Walker recommends the following next steps:
Monalisa Lima
Monalisa’s Answer
IN BRAZIL It´s FIVE YEARS. I think in your country too... Good luck!
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Embarking on the journey to become a veterinarian requires a dedicated commitment of approximately 8 years.
The first step in this rewarding career path is to acquire a Bachelor's degree, which is typically a 4-year endeavor. Although there's no mandatory major, it's advantageous to focus on subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics to lay a strong foundation.
Following your undergraduate studies, the next milestone is to apply for and complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. This graduate-level program usually spans another 4 years. During this period, you'll delve into topics such as animal anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology. Additionally, you'll gain practical skills through clinical rotations and internships.
After graduating from a DVM program, some aspiring veterinarians opt to undertake a one-year internship or residency program. This offers further training and experience in a specific area of interest. While this step isn't mandatory, it could be a valuable asset if you're considering a career in research or academia.
To sum it up, the journey to becoming a veterinarian generally involves 8 years of post-high school education and training: 4 years for an undergraduate degree and 4 years for a DVM program. Some may choose to extend this period with additional training through internships or residencies after obtaining their DVM degree.
May God bless your journey!
James Constantine.