First Professional Degree:
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

The DMV (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), requires at least 7 years of education; 4 years of veterinary studies beyond the third year of undergraduate studies, though most students obtain a BS before entering the 4 years of veterinary studies (post-secondary education), extending the total to 8 years.

There are 27 colleges of veterinary medicine accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Entrance to the DVM programs usually requires:

Completion of designated undergraduate science courses with a "B" average
Either the Veterinary Aptitude Test, Medical College Admission Test, or the GRE
Evidence of experience working with animals

The programs are extremely competitive and frequently limited to residents of the state in which the school is located. However, according to Peterson's Graduate Programs in Business, Education, Health, and Law, at least half of the professional veterinary programs offer a limited number of positions to international students, so while difficult it is not impossible for foreign applicants to gain admission.

Licensure

Most states require that applicants have a DVM from an accredited college of veterinary medicine, and pass a State Board Examination. Foreign-trained veterinarians must be certified by the Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates, which has both English language and clinical evaluation requirements.

Graduate Programs (MS, Ph.D.)

Master's and Ph.D. programs are offered in a great variety of veterinary sciences such as large animal clinical science, animal parasitology, veterinary pathobiology, etc. Most such programs require the GRE general and the TOEFL for foreign applicants. Those that are more clinically oriented may require the DVM for entrance, while others would require undergraduate preparation in one of the sciences. They lead to research and teaching positions.

Residency Programs

Three-year residency positions, followed by an examination, are required for veterinarians who seek specialty certification in fields such as surgery or radiology.

References

Colleges of Veterinary Medicine Evaluated by Council on Education,
American Veterinary Medical Association. Schaumburg, IL: Council on Education, American Veterinary Medical Association, Division of Scientific Activities. Annual. Includes approved first professional degree programs abroad.

Information for Graduates of Colleges of Veterinary Medicine Outside the United States and Canada. Schaumburg, IL: Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates, American Veterinary Medical Association. For foreign-trained veterinarians interested in U.S. licensure.

Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements in the U.S. and Canada. Bethesda, MD: Betz Publishing Co. Annual, November.