Path to
Veterinary Medicine

Becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is one of the most competitive and rewarding paths in science and healthcare. It demands strong academic preparation, meaningful hands-on experience, and a genuine commitment to the profession.

This page gives you a clear overview of what the DVM pathway involves and where to go next, whether that is exploring the 1890 schools that offer veterinary medicine programs or learning about the PVM Scholars Program that supports students across the network.

What it takes✦Where to go✦How to get there✦Tuskegee · UMES✦PVM Scholars✦What it takes✦Where to go✦How to get there✦Tuskegee · UMES✦PVM Scholars✦What it takes✦Where to go✦How to get there✦Tuskegee · UMES✦PVM Scholars✦What it takes✦Where to go✦How to get there✦Tuskegee · UMES✦PVM Scholars✦

THE DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE PATHWAY

What the DVM
pathway involves.

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree is a four-year professional degree, similar in structure to medical school. Before you can apply, you need to complete an undergraduate degree, typically with a strong foundation in the sciences, along with specific prerequisite coursework and documented hands-on experience.

The undergraduate years are where the foundation is built. The decisions you make about your coursework, your experiences, and your preparation during those years directly shape the strength of your application.

01Undergraduate degreeComplete an accredited bachelor's with all prerequisite coursework required by your target vet schools.
02Build experience hoursDocument veterinary, animal, and research hours across diverse settings — companion, food animal, and rural.
03Apply through VMCASThe centralized veterinary school application. Personal statement, transcripts, evaluations, the works.
04Four years of vet schoolThe DVM is a four-year professional degree, similar in structure to medical school.
05Licensing & specialtyPass licensing exams and, optionally, pursue specialty training or board certification.

DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE CAREER MAP

Where a DVM
can take you.

The DVM degree opens doors far beyond the companion animal clinic. Students with backgrounds in agriculture and rural communities are especially well positioned for food animal and rural practice — an area with significant and growing demand.

Companion animal medicine

Private practice caring for pets in clinical settings.

Large & food animal medicine

Livestock, horses, and food-producing animals — often in rural and agricultural settings.

Public health & government

USDA, FDA, CDC, and military veterinary corps roles.

Research

Biomedical and veterinary research at universities, agencies, and industry.

Wildlife & conservation

Wild animals, conservation programs, zoos and aquariums.

Specialty practice

Board-certified specialists in surgery, oncology, cardiology, and more.

1890 veterinary medicine schools.

DVM Schools

Two 1890 institutions are directly connected to veterinary medicine programs

Tuskegee University is home to the only accredited DVM program within the 1890 network. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is developing a new veterinary medicine program, expanding options for students across the network.

Visit the DVM Schools page for detailed information on each program, admissions requirements, and direct links to apply.

Explore DVM Schools→

Path to
Veterinary Medicine

What the DVM
pathway involves.