Graduate Professional Degree

The professional veterinary medicine program is designed to provide basic and applied medical education with flexible, high-quality clinical training opportunities that prepare career-ready graduates. Graduates may become licensed as private veterinary practitioners in any state, and they are well positioned for successful pursuit of a wide variety of careers, including those in: (1) private practice, general or specialized by species or discipline; (2) government, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Public Health Service, the U.S. Army and Air Force, and state, county, and local health agencies, for important work related to livestock disease control, meat and poultry inspection, development of biological products, prevention of the entry of foreign animal diseases, and public health; (3) biomedical research at colleges and universities, government agencies, biological and pharmaceutical companies, or private medical research institutions, for the benefit of animals and people; and (4) education, typically at colleges of veterinary medicine.

The professional program leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Admission to the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine

The College of Veterinary Medicine strives to select individuals with the academic ability, preparation, motivation, emotional intelligence, and social competence to succeed as veterinary students and future veterinarians. Student diversity is promoted to help meet the needs of a diverse society. A wide variety of experiences are represented in each entering class, with academic backgrounds including the sciences, the arts and humanities, and various advanced degrees.

A new class of students begins the four–year professional program each fall semester. Applications for admission and related materials must be received by the deadline as specified by the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS).

Factors considered by the Admissions Committee in determining an applicant’s relative competitive position are:

1. Academic performance: A minimum last-3-semester grade-point average (GPA) in combination with a minimum science prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is required for an application to receive review.
2. File review of nonacademic experiences and attributes fitting to the values of the College.
3. Multiple Mini Interviews by faculty, staff, alumni, and other vested individuals trained to assess for the qualities considered important for positive professional outcomes (by invitation).

Applications, regular or transfer, are reviewed by the Committee on Student Admissions. Final selection of applicants is based on a combination of academic performance, evidence of significant accomplishments in nonacademic areas, and performance in interviews.

Applicants are considered for admission in the following order of priority:

1. Residents of the state of Michigan, as defined by Michigan State University. (Since Michigan State University is a public, tax-assisted institution, admission priority is granted to residents of Michigan.)
2. Residents of states other than Michigan, including U.S. Territories and Trust Possessions.
3. All others.

Requirements to be completed by students prior to enrollment:

All science prerequisite requirements must be completed by students prior to the application deadline each year. All science prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in each course and a minimum science prerequisite GPA of 3.0. Up to 50% of the science prerequisite requirements may be satisfied with binary grading. General education requirements must be completed by July 1 prior to fall matriculation. Each course must receive a minimum grade of 2.0.   

Science Prerequisite Courses
College Algebra and Trigonometry (or precalculus or calculus)
Physics I and II with laboratories
Chemistry I with laboratory
Biology I and II with laboratory
Organic Chemistry I and II with laboratory
Biochemistry
Physiology
Upper Level Biology Elective (3 credit minimum), such as Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Immunology, Genetics, Microbiology, or Histology
Advanced Placement (AP) credits are accepted for College Algebra and Trigonometry, Physics I and II, Chemistry I, and Introductory Biology I and II.

General Education Requirements

Prerequisite individual General Education courses must receive a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale. All general education requirements must be completed by July 1 of the matriculation year. If a bachelor's degree will be earned by July 1 of the matriculation year, all general education requirements are considered fulfilled and individual courses will not be reviewed. A Baccalaureate degree is not required.

Arts and Humanities - two courses.
Social Science - two courses.
English - one course (3 semester credits) of English composition.

Advanced Placement (AP) credits are accepted to fulfill any of these requirements.

VETERINARY SCHOLARS ADMISSION PATHWAY

This pathway has been established by the College of Veterinary Medicine in cooperation with the Honors College at Michigan State University in order to provide an admission avenue for students who wish to complete a bachelor's degree consisting of advanced, scholarly studies in concert with their entry to the four–year professional veterinary medical degree program.  All Michigan State University preveterinary students who are members of the Honors College may choose to participate in this program.  Up to ten MSU students may be chosen each year to be granted admission to the veterinary medical program contingent upon completion of a bachelor's degree in a major of the students choice.

The following components will be considered in selecting candidates for this admission pathway:

1. Completion of at least 50 percent of the required preveterinary science courses.
2. Minimum 3.5 cumulative and preveterinary science grade–point averages.
3. Bachelor's degree program proposal planned in consultation with the Honors College advising staff and a departmental honors advisor demonstrating enriched, advanced, and scholarly work in a major of the student's choice.
4. Evidence of quality veterinary and animal exposure.
5. Completion of at least three Honors College experiences beyond the minimum preveterinary requirements.
6. Performance in the regular veterinary admission criteria including grade–point averages, and file review.
7. Personal statement describing the scholarly content of the proposed bachelor's degree program and its relevance to the individual's career and personal goals.
8. Evaluations from the advisor in the student's degree program, a veterinarian, and an individual of the applicant's choice.

Students who wish to enter the professional veterinary medical program before earning a bachelor's degree may apply through the regular veterinary admission process.

The College of Veterinary Medicine's Committee on Student Admissions selects the candidates for this pathway and reserves the right to modify the criteria and process. Applications not meeting the above criteria will be dismissed.

Academic Standards

Once admitted to the Veterinary Scholars Pathway, students must maintain a 3.5 cumulative and preveterinary science grade-point average during completion of the Honors College degree.

Additional Information

For additional information concerning admission to the professional program, contact the Admissions Office, College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medical Center-South Building, 784 Wilson Road, Room F-104 Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824–1314. Note:  Prospective applicants should maintain contact with the College's Admissions Office for current information.

Statement on Advanced Status

Rarely will students be considered for admission to the program with advanced standing.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree

1. The University requirements for the bachelor's degree as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.
2. Preveterinary program requirements.
3. At least 56 credits of the professional program in Veterinary Medicine.

Health Requirements for Students in the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine

1. The student must be covered by a personal health insurance policy throughout enrollment in the program.
2. The student's tetanus vaccination must be current throughout enrollment in the program.
3. The student must have a rabies vaccination prior to participation in senior clerkships. Rabies vaccination is recommended for entering students.
4. The student must participate in TB monitoring which consists of two TB tests, one in the first semester and one at graduation.

Requirements for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in Veterinary Medicine

Completion of the following 157-credit, four-year professional program with a grade-point average of at least 2.0. Completion of the college's core competencies during the four-year professional program. Students must successfully complete all pre-clinical core competencies before matriculating to the clinical phase of the curriculum.

VETERINARY MEDICINE (YEAR 1)
SEMESTER 1 (Fall) (19 credits)									2
VM	500	Veterinary Science I							1
VM	501	One Health I							1
VM	502	Veterinary Doctoring I							1
VM	503	Veterinary Career and Practice Management I							2
VM	515	Animals in Society							3
VM	516	Musculoskeletal System I							3
VM	517	Nervous System I							3
VM	518	Cardiovascular System I							3
VM	519	Cutaneous System I
SEMESTER 2 (Spring) (19 credits)
VM	504	One Health II							1
VM	505	Veterinary Doctoring II							1
VM	506	Veterinary Career and Practice Management II							1
VM	520	Respiratory System I							3
VM	523	Immunologic and Hematologic Systems I							3
VM	525	Digestive System I							3
VM	527	Endocrine System I							3
VM	528	Reproductive System I							2
VM	529	Urinary System I							2
VETERINARY MEDICINE (YEAR 2)
SEMESTER 3 (Fall) (19 credits)
VM	507	One Health III							1
VM	508	Veterinary Doctoring III							1
VM	509	Veterinary Career and Practice Management III							1
VM	530	Veterinary Science II							4
VM	531	Immunologic and Hematologic Systems II							3
VM	534	Cutaneous System II							3
VM	535	Reproductive System II							3
VM	536	Respiratory System II							3
SEMESTER 4 (Spring) (19 credits)
VM	510	One Health IV							1
VM	512	Veterinary Doctoring IV							1
VM	537	Veterinary Career and Practice Management  IV							1
VM	565	Cardiovascular System II							2
VM	568	Urinary System II							3
VM	569	Musculoskeletal System II							2
VM	571	Nervous System II							3
VM	575	Digestive System II							3
VM	577	Endocrine System II							3
VETERINARY MEDICINE (YEAR 3)
SEMESTER 5 (Fall) (19 credits)
VM	539	Veterinary Career and Practice Management V							1
VM	578	Clinical Reasoning I							8
VM	579	Clinical Reasoning II							7
VM	580	Surgical and Anesthetic Skills							3
SEMESTER 6 (Spring) (17 credits)
VM	581	Clinical Reasoning III							5
VM	582	Veterinary Clinical Experience							3
Complete 9 credits in required or elective clerkships.
VETERINARY MEDICINE (YEAR 4)
SEMESTERS 7 (Summer), 8 (Fall), 9 (Spring)
Students will be required to complete 30 required clerkship credits and an additional 15 credits of elective clerkship credits. Students complete their 9-credits of Preceptorship during Year 4 through enrollment in VM 611. The 9 credits in VM 611 must be completed in three consecutive, separate enrollments in consultation with the student’s advisor. Satisfactory completion of semesters one through six of the professional curriculum is required for enrollment in any of the listed clerkships.
REQUIRED CLERKSHIPS (30 credits)
LCS	616	Large Animal Medicine and Surgery							6
PDI	630	Diagnostic Pathology Clerkship							3
SCS	611	Diagnostic Imaging Clerkship							3
SCS	625	Small Animal Primary Care Clerkship							3
SCS	626	Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery Clerkship							3
SCS	646	Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery Clerkship							3
SCS	647	Small Animal Internal Medicine Clerkship							3
SCS	648	Anesthesia Clerkship							3
SCS	695	Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Clerkship							3
ELECTIVE CLERKSHIPS
LCS	610	Clinical Problems in Large Animal Clinical Sciences							3
LCS	611	Research Problems in Large Animal Clinical Sciences							3
LCS	613	Special Problems in Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Off-Campus Sites							3
LCS	614	Equine Clinical Proficiency Clerkship							3
LCS	615	Equine Emergency and Critical Care Clerkship							3
LCS	621	Practice-Based Ambulatory Clerkship							3
LCS	622	Advanced Equine Clinical Clerkship							3
LCS	623	Equine Musculoskeletal Diseases Clerkship							3
LCS	624	Equine Theriogenology Clerkship							3
LCS	625	Equine Herd Health Clerkship							3
LCS	626	Advanced Equine Surgery Clerkship							3
LCS	627	Advanced Equine Medicine Clerkship							3
LCS	628	Techniques in Equine Anesthesia and Surgery							3
LCS	632	Advanced Food Animal Medicine and Surgery							3
LCS	640	Large Animal Anesthesia Clerkship							3
LCS	646	Equine Neonatal Medicine Clerkship							3
LCS	647	Concepts of Agricultural Practice Clerkship							3
LCS	660	Wildlife Disease Ecology and Management							3
LCS	677	Veterinary Preceptorship							3
LCS	678	Government and Corporate Veterinary Practice							3
LCS	679	Food Animal Production Medicine I							3
LCS	682	Food Animal Production Medicine II							3
LCS	685	Ruminant Health Problem Solving Clerkship							3
LCS	690	Veterinary Public Health Field Experience Clerkship							3
LCS	691	Veterinary Public Health Research Clerkship							3
MMG	690	Veterinary Microbiology Clerkship							3
PDI	610	Veterinary Gross Anatomy Dissection							3
PDI	611	Research Problems in Veterinary Anatomy							3
PDI	631	Necropsy Clerkship							3
PDI	632	Problems in Veterinary Pathology							3
PDI	633	Special Problems in Veterinary Pathology							3
PDI	634	Endocrinology Clerkship							3
PDI	635	Special Problems in Histopathology and Cytology Clerkship							3
PDI	636	Aquatic Animal Medicine Clerkship							3
PHM	658	Research Problems in Pharmacology or Toxicology							3
SCS	613	Diagnostic Ultrasound Clerkship							3
SCS	630	Spay/Neuter Clerkship							3
SCS	640	Cardiology Clerkship							3
SCS	641	Comparative Ophthalmology Clerkship							3
SCS	642	Zoo and Wildlife Clerkship							3
SCS	644	Dermatology Clerkship							3
SCS	651	Advanced Comparative Ophthalmology Clerkship							3
SCS	654	Clinical Medical Oncology Clerkship							3
SCS	670	Clinical Nutrition for Small Animals							3
SCS	690	Veterinary Molecular Biology Clerkship							3
SCS	693	Problems in Small Animal Clinical Sciences Clerkship							3
SCS	694	Small Animal Specialty Practice Clerkship							3
VM	611	Veterinary Externship							3
VM	690	Special Problems in Veterinary Medicine							3
VM	692	Career Development and Business Skills							3

Student Performance

The Committee on Student Performance monitors student performance in accordance with established College standards and offers assistance to students experiencing difficulties in the professional curriculum. An important function of this committee is to determine the reasons for student difficulties and recommend study schedules, counseling, and other means of helping the student perform in a satisfactory manner. The Committee on Student Performance may take appropriate academic disciplinary action consistent with the academic standards of the College and the Medical Student Rights and Responsibilities document.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Refer to the statement on Student Rights and Responsibilities in the General Information, Policies, Procedures and Regulations section of this catalog.