Pre-Vet

Veterinarians diagnose and treat illness and injuries in animals including, but not limited to, pets and livestock. The US Department of Labor identifies the median pay for a veterinarian as $84,460 a year. The job growth is expected to be 12% through 2022. Are you interested in becoming a veterinarian?

Requirements to apply to an accredited veterinary school vary, but generally include a baccalaureate degree (which may or may not be in a science related field), an admission exam (Graduate Record Examination or GRE), and the successful completion of veterinary-related courses. Following is an example of such course requirements. Please contact the veterinary school to which you attend to apply to see their specific requirements, which might vary form the example below.

If you are struggling to decide on a major for a bachelor’s degree to continue onto veterinary school, consider the Veterinary Science Bachelor Degree from the University of Arizona. This four-year Bachelor of Science program includes the courses listed above that can be taken at the community college level and transferred to the university. For transfer information please visit the PVCC transfer center.

IMPORTANT: Always check with an academic advisor at PVCC and at your chosen university before planning your coursework.

PVCC provides a quality and cost-effective way to begin your path to becoming a veterinarian. Pre-veterinary courses, along with the general education requirements for a baccalaureate degree (up to 90 out of 120 credit hours in some cases), can be completed at PVCC for a fraction of the cost a university may charge, without sacrificing quality. The PVCC campus is conveniently located, has state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, and has courses that are taught by experienced instructors that make your learning their number one priority.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to join HOSA-Future Health Professionals, which will help you build inter-professional working relationships, listen to interesting lectures by distinguished guest speakers, and provide you with internship opportunities.

There is one accredited veterinary college in Arizona: Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine - Glendale, although the University of Arizona is planning to open another veterinary school in late 2015. Midwestern offers a four-year, full-time program that leads to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

Consideration for admission to Midwestern requires (amongst other criteria) the successful completion of the pre-veterinary courses listed above (all of which can be taken at PVCC). In addition, there are over 30 other accredited veterinary schools in North America. For a complete list and links that describe each school’s specific requirements, please go to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges’ (AAVMC) website.