Undergraduate Degree

Veterinary Nursing

Program:
Veterinary Nursing
Plan Code:
VETNUR_BS1
Program Level:
Undergraduate
Award Type:
Bachelor of Science
College:
College of Veterinary Medicine
Department:
Veterinary Medicine Dean


Excerpt from the official Academic Programs Catalog:

Listed below are the approved requirements for the program from the official Academic Programs Catalog.
Students must consult their advisors to learn which specific requirements apply to their degree programs.


College of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Nursing


Taylor Epp, Director

Veterinary nurses are compassionate, highly motivated paraprofessionals dedicated to animal health care. As integral members of the veterinary health care team, they are entrusted with diverse medical responsibilities that include animal nursing care, laboratory specimen analysis, surgical assistance, anesthesia, radiographic imaging (x-ray), nutritional management, dental prophylaxis, physical therapy, and client education. These varied duties afford the veterinary paraprofessional a profound impact on every aspect of animal care. Their involvement enables veterinary hospitals and animal care and research facilities to offer expanded services efficiently and effectively.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recognizes two levels of training for the veterinary paraprofessional:  a two-year certification and a four-year bachelor's degree.  The Certificate of Completion at Michigan State University is a two-year training program. After completion of the pre-clinical courses, students complete clinical clerkship training at the Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center. Through the clinical clerkships, the students develop and apply their knowledge and problem-solving skills in a functional hospital setting.  The two-year level of training is most appropriate for individuals who seek employment in privately owned veterinary clinical practices.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing requires four years of academic training. In addition to the core curriculum of the Certificate of Completion, the students complete the general education requirements of Michigan State University and elective courses.  The elective courses allow the students to focus on potential career paths within the veterinary profession such as production animal medicine, equine and companion animal medicine, pathology, biomedical research, and practice management. Their training offers exposure to clinical specialty areas such as emergency medicine, cardiology, ophthalmology, equine anesthesia, and necropsy.  The four-year bachelor's degree level of training is linked with employment in research facilities, vivaria, industry, educational institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and large-group or specialty practices.

The state of Michigan requires that any person practicing as a veterinary professional must be licensed and registered with the state. Regulation of veterinary professionals is the responsibility of the Veterinary Board of Examiners in the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation. The credentialing examination is only available to qualified graduates of accredited training programs. The Veterinary Nursing Program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and graduates of the Certificate of Completion or Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing are eligible to take the National Board Examinations for licensure.

Enrollment in the Veterinary Technology Program’s academic certificate and degree options is limited.  Students are admitted for fall semester only.  Applications for admission are accepted through early February of the year that admission is sought. For additional information, contact the Veterinary Nursing Program, Veterinary Medical Center, 736 Wilson Road, Room A-22, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1316 or visit https://cvm.msu.edu/future-students/veterinary-nursing-program.

The Certificate of Completion articulates with an Associate in Applied Sciences degree from Lansing Community College.  For specific degree requirements for the Associate in Applied Science, contact Lansing Community College at http://www.lcc.edu.

Bachelor of Science

Admission

The number of students who can be admitted to the Bachelor of Science degree program in veterinary technology is limited.  All persons who are interested in applying for admission to the bachelor's degree program in veterinary nursing must complete an application which can be found, along with the application process instructions, by visiting https://cvm.msu.edu/future-students/veterinary-nursing-program.

Applications for admission to the bachelor's degree program in veterinary nursing are accepted through early February of the year that admission is sought.

Students who are enrolled in colleges and universities other than Michigan State University should contact Michigan State University's Office of Admissions and the College of Veterinary Medicine regarding admission to the bachelor's degree program in veterinary nursing as transfer students.

To be considered for admission, an applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.75 and a minimum of a 2.5 grade-point average of the last 12 credits completed and a minimum of a 2.0 grade in all math and science courses:

  1. Completion of at least 28 credits of the University graduation requirements or transfer equivalents including:
    1. One of the following: (Mathematics 101 and 103) or (Mathematics 103 and 114) or (Mathematics 116 or 124 or 132 or 152H). See item 2. b. under Requirements for a full list of applicable math combinations.
    2. Biological Science 161 and 171.
    3. Tier I writing course.
    4. Additional credits selected from an Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities course numbered below 211, an Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities course numbered 211 or higher, an Integrative Studies in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences 200-level course, and an Integrative Studies in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences 300-level course.

The final selection of students to be admitted to the baccalaureate degree program in veterinary nursing is based on the cumulative grade-point average of all courses taken, the grade-point average calculated on all courses in mathematics and the physical and biological sciences, and the grade-point average of the last 12 credits. The selection process also  includes submission of a personal statement, letters of recommendation and documentation of 80 hours of veterinary related experience.

Students who complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing will be qualified to take the National Board Examinations for licensure as veterinary-technicians.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Veterinary Nursing

  1. The requirements for a bachelor's degree as specified in the Undergraduate Education section of the University catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing.
    The completion of the Mathematics courses referenced in item 2. b. below may also be used to satisfy the University mathematics requirement.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Veterinary Nursing major is met by completing the following courses:  Veterinary Medicine 410 and 412. Those courses are referenced in items 2. a. below.

    Students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing may complete the alternative track in Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that consists of the following courses: Biological Sciences 161, 162, 171, and 172; and Chemistry 141. The completion of Biological Science 171 satisfies the laboratory requirement. Biological Science 162 and 172 and Chemistry 141 may be counted toward both the alternative track and the requirements for the major referenced in item 2. below.
  2. The following requirements for the major (90 to 97 credits):
    a. All of the following courses (75 credits):
    BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
    BS 162 Organismal and Population Biology 3
    BS 171 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 2
    BS 172 Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory 2
    CEM 141 General Chemistry 4
    VM 110 Veterinary Medical Terminology 1
    VM 120 Veterinary Comparative Nutrition 2
    VM 130 Comparative Anatomy for Veterinary Nurses 2
    VM 140 Pharmacology for Veterinary Nurses 2
    VM 150 Hospital Procedures and Communication 2
    VM 155 Veterinary Nursing Careers and Professional Development 1
    VM 160 Small Animal Nursing Skills 3
    VM 165 Large Animal and Laboratory Animal Nursing Care Techniques 2
    VM 170 Hematology and Immunology for Veterinary Nurses 2
    VM 175 Clinical Pathology Laboratory I for Veterinary Nurses 1
    VM 176 Clinical Pathology Laboratory II for Veterinary Nurses 1
    VM 205 Preventive Animal Health Care for Veterinary Nurses 3
    VM 210 Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Nurses 2
    VM 215 Surgical Nursing and Anesthetic Management Laboratory 1
    VM 245 Parasitology for Veterinary Nurses 2
    VM 250 Veterinary Comparative Clinical Physiology 5
    VM 255 Small Animal Diseases and Management 3
    VM 265 Dentistry Techniques for Veterinary Nurses 1
    VM 270 Advanced Skills Development for Veterinary Nurses 1
    VM 275 Large Animal Diseases and Management 3
    VM 295 Biomedical Research and Regulatory Issues for Veterinary Nurses 1
    VM 303 Anesthesiology for Veterinary Nurses 2
    VM 304 Radiology for Veterinary Nurses 2
    VM 305 Hospital Practice Management for Veterinary Nurses 2
    VM 410 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Anesthesiology (W) 3
    VM 411 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Radiology 3
    VM 412 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Companion Animal Medicine (W) 3
    VM 413 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Companion Animal Surgery 3
    and
    One of the following courses (3 credits):
    VM  414 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Equine Medicine and Surgery 3
    VM  415 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Food Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery 3
    VM 450 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Emergency Medicine 3
    VM 451 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Cardiology 3
    VM 452 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Neurology 3
    VM 453 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Ophthalmology 3
    VM 454 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Critical Care 3
    VM 458 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Companion Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound 3
    VM 466 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Large Animal Anesthesia 3
    VM 470 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Food Animal Medicine 3
    VM 480 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Clinical Pathology 3
    VM 482 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Necropsy 3
    VM 483 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Biomedical Research 3
    VM 484 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 3
    VM 486 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Clinical Parasitology 3
    VM 490 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Special Problems 3
    b. One of the following options (0 to 7 credits):
    (1) One of the following courses:
    MTH 116 College Algebra and Trigonometry 5
    MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3
    MTH 132 Calculus I 3
    MTH 152H Honors Calculus I 3
    (2) MTH 103 College Algebra 3
    and
    One of the following:
    MTH 101 Quantitative Literacy I 3
    MTH 102 Quantitative Literacy II 3
    MTH 114 Trigonometry 3
    MTH 201 Elementary Mathematics for Teachers I 3
    STT 200 Statistical Methods 3
    STT 201 Statistical Methods 4
    (3) MTH 103A College Algebra I 3
    MTH 103B College Algebra II 3
    and
    One of the following:
    MTH 101 Quantitative Literacy I 3
    MTH 102 Quantitative Literacy II 3
    MTH 114 Trigonometry 3
    MTH 201 Elementary Mathematics for Teachers I 3
    STT 200 Statistical Methods 3
    STT 201 Statistical Methods 4
    (4) Successfully complete the proctored mathematics placement exam with a score of 19 or higher.
    c. One of the following options, 15 credits from Elective Group 1 or 15 credits from Elective Group 2. Courses used to satisfy requirement 2. a. above may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
    Veterinary Nursing Elective Group 1
    VM 414 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Equine Medicine and Surgery 3 to 6
    VM 415 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Food Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery 3 to 6
    VM 450 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Emergency Medicine 3
    VM 451 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Cardiology 3
    VM 452 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Neurology 3
    VM 453 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Ophthalmology 3
    VM 454 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Critical Care 3
    VM 458 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Companion Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound 3
    VM 466 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Large Animal Anesthesia 3
    VM 470 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Food Animal Medicine 3 to 6
    VM 480 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Clinical Pathology 3
    VM 482 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Necropsy 3
    VM 483 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Biomedical Research 3 to 12
    VM 484 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 3 to 12
    VM 486 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Clinical Parasitology 3
    VM 490 Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Special Problems 3 to 12
    Veterinary Nursing Elective Group 2. Complete 15 credits in courses from one of the following concentrations. All course selections must be approved by the Veterinary Nursing Program.
    Business Communication
    ACC  230 Survey of Accounting Concepts  3
    AFRE  100 Decision-making in the Agri-Food System 3
    AFRE  130 Farm Management I        3
    AFRE 203 Data Analysis for the Agri-Food system    3
    AFRE  222 Agribusiness and Food Industry Sales       3
    AFRE  232 Commodity Marketing I              3
    AFRE  240 Food Product Marketing              3
    AFRE  315 Labor and Personnel Management in Agri-Food System    3
    AFRE  327 Global Agri-Food Industries and Markets               3
    AFRE  435 Financial Management in the Agri-Food System  3
    COM  100 Human Communication  3
    COM  225 An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication  3
    COM  240 Introduction to Organizational Communication  4
    EC  201 Introduction to Microeconomics               3
    EC  202 Introduction to Macroeconomics             3
    EAD  315 Student Leadership Training        3
    FI  320 Introduction to Finance  3
    HRLR  211 Introduction to Organizational Leadership       3
    HRLR  311 Applied Organizational Leadership           3
    General Animal Science
    ANS  110 Introductory Animal Agriculture           3
    ANS  110L Introductory Animal Agriculture Laboratory               1
    ANS  134 Dairy Production I            3
    ANS  200C Dairy Cattle Genetics and Evaluation    2
    ANS  200E Introductory Animal Welfare Assessment               1
    ANS  201 Animal Products               3
    ANS  201L Animal Products Laboratory        1
    ANS  210 Introduction to Disciplines in Animal Agriculture          3
    ANS  211 Animal and Product Evaluation  3
    ANS  222 Introductory Beef Cattle Management    3
    ANS  234 Dairy Production II           3
    ANS  252 Introduction to Management of Avian Species 3
    ANS  262 Introductory Sheep Management             3
    ANS  272 Introductory Swine Management             3
    ANS  305 Applied Animal Behavior              3
    ANS  305L Applied Animal Behavior Laboratory        1
    ANS  307 Animal Reproduction      3
    ANS  309 Animal Health and Disease Management               3
    ANS  313 Principles of Animal Feeding and Nutrition (W)             4
    ANS  314 Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals (W)            4
    ANS  334 Dairy Management I        3
    ANS  401 Ethical Issues in Animal Agriculture 1
    ANS  407 Food and Animal Toxicology        3
    ANS  413 Non-Ruminant Nutrition  4
    ANS  418 Animal Agriculture and the Environment 3
    ANS  422 Advanced Beef Cattle Feedlot Management 3
    ANS  425 Animal Biotechnology     3
    ANS  427 Environmental Toxicology and Society     3
    ANS  442 Advanced Horse Management    3
    ANS  445 Equine Exercise Physiology          4
    ANS  455 Avian Physiology              4
    ANS  472 Advanced Swine Management    3
    ANS  480 Animal Systems in International Development     3
    ANS  483 Ruminant Nutrition         3
    General Zoo and Wildlife
    EPI  390 Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health 4
    FW  101 Fundamentals of Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology and Management 3
    FW  110 Conservation and Management of Marine Resources 3
    FW  181 Introduction to Science, Technology, the Environment and Public Policy 3
    FW  364 Ecological Problem Solving 3
    FW  413 Wildlife Research and Management Techniques 3
    FW  423 Principles of Fish and Wildlife Disease 3
    FW  423L Principles of Fish and Wildlife Disease Laboratory 1
    FW  424 Population Analysis and Management 4
    FW  444 Conservation Biology 3
    FW  449 Wildlife Policy 3
    FW  491 Special Topics in Fisheries and Wildlife 1 to 3
    IBIO  313 Animal Behavior 3
    IBIO  341 Fundamental Genetics 4
    IBIO  355 Ecology 3
    IBIO  355L Ecology Laboratory (W) 1
    IBIO  369 Introduction to Zoo and Aquarium Science 3
    IBIO  408 Histology 4
    IBIO  413 Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience (W) 4
    IBIO  415 Ecological Aspects of Animal Behavior (W) 3
    NEU  300 Neurobiology 3
    Sustainability and Policy
    AFRE  100 Decision-making in the Agri-Food System  3
    AFRE  206 World Food, Population and Poverty        3
    ANR  250 Global Issues in Agriculture and Natural Resources 3
    ANS  124 Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems 2
    ANS  418 Animal Agriculture and the Environment 3
    ANS  424 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems: Integration and Synthesis  3
    ANS  480 Animal Systems in International Development     3
    CSS  101 Introduction to Crop Science       3
    CSS  120 Issues in Food and Agriculture     3
    CSS  124 Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems 1
    CSS  222 New Horizons in Biotechnology  2
    EC  201 Introduction to Microeconomics               3
    EC  202 Introduction to Macroeconomics              3
    EPI  390 Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health 4
    FW  434 Human Dimensions of Fisheries and Wildlife Management (W) 3
    FW  445 Biodiversity Conservation Policy and Practice  3
    IBIO  446 Environmental Issues and Public Policy    3
    HRT  251 Organic Farming Principles and Practices               3
    PHL  380 Nature of Science            3
    SOC  161 International Development and Change  3
    SOC  252 Introduction to Environmental Sociology 3
    Pharmacology and Toxicology
    ANS 407 Food and Animal Toxicology             3
    ANS  427 Environmental Toxicology and Society     3
    BMB  200 Introduction to Biochemistry      4
    EPI  390 Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health 4
    NEU  300 Neurobiology     3
    PHL  380 Nature of Science             3
    PHM  350 Introductory Human Pharmacology         3
    PHM  351 Fundamentals of Drug Safety       3
    PHM  431 Pharmacology of Drug Addiction               3
    PHM  450 Introduction to Chemical Toxicology        3
    Ecology and Resource Management
    AFRE  265 Ecology and Economics  3
    ANS  124 Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems 2
    ANS  418 Animal Agriculture and the Environment               3
    FOR  419 Applications of Geographic Information Systems to Natural Resources Management 4
    FW  181 Introduction to Science, Technology, the Environment  3
    FW  364 Ecological Problem Solving           3
    FW  413 Wildlife Research and Management Techniques         3
    FW  417 Wetland Ecology and Management          3
    FW  423 Principles of Fish and Wildlife Disease     3
    FW  423L Principles of Fish and Wildlife Disease Laboratory        1
    FW  424 Population Analysis and Management     4
    FW  434 Human Dimensions of Fisheries and Wildlife Management (W) 3
    FW  463 Wildlife Disease Ecology                              3
    IBIO  355 Ecology                3
    IBIO  355L Ecology Laboratory (W)      1
    Animal Management
    AFRE  130 Farm Management I       3
    ANS  110 Introductory Animal Agriculture           3
    ANS  110L Introductory Animal Agriculture Laboratory               1
    ANS  134 Dairy Production I            3
    ANS  222 Introductory Beef Cattle Management    3
    ANS  233 Dairy Feed Management              3
    ANS  234 Dairy Production II           3
    ANS  252 Introduction to Management of Avian Species  3
    ANS  262 Introductory Sheep Management             3
    ANS  272 Introductory Swine Management             3
    ANS  309 Animal Health and Disease Management              3
    ANS  334 Dairy Management I       2
    ANS  401 Ethical Issues in Animal Agriculture         1
    ANS  422 Advanced Beef Cattle Feedlot Management     3
    ANS  442 Advanced Horse Management    3
    ANS  472 Advanced Swine Management    3
    Animal Products and Nutrition
    ANS  110 Introductory Animal Agriculture           3
    ANS  201 Animal Products               3
    ANS  201L Animal Products Laboratory        1
    ANS  211 Animal and Product Evaluation  3
    ANS  233 Dairy Feed Management              3
    ANS  313 Principles of Animal Feeding and Nutrition (W)             4
    ANS  407 Food and Animal Toxicology        3
    ANS  413 Non-Ruminant Nutrition               4
    ANS  483 Ruminant Nutrition         3