EDUCATING a new generation of veterinarians UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE UT INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE | KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE vetmed.tennessee.edu | 865-974-8387 Knowledge. Compassion. Discovery. These words form the driving framework for our everyday mission. The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) is one of only 30 accredited veterinary colleges in the United States. We educate professional and graduate students in the art and science of veterinary medicine and related biomedical sciences, provide exceptional veterinary healthcare for all species, and advance scientific research to benefit our world. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Degree neurology, dermatology, intensive care, ambulatory services, theriogenology, and anesthesia. Residents participate in a Our students prepare for their professional studies by first three-year program, specializing in one particular clinical area. completing three to four years of pre-veterinary course requirements as undergraduates. The professional veterinary Graduate Degree Programs curriculum is a four-year program, composed of nine semesters. During the first year, we emphasize developing The College is home to the intercollegiate Comparative and a strong basic science foundation, followed by the study Experimental Medicine (CEM) graduate degree program, the of diseases — their causes, diagnoses, treatments, and only biomedical-based graduate degree program located preventions — during the second and third years. Innovative in Knoxville. CEM awards both Master of Science (MS) features of the UTCVM curriculum include several student- and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, as well as a dual centered, small group, applied learning exercises; dedicated DVM-PhD. Graduate studies in CEM focus on a comparative clinical experiences in the veterinary medical center; and approach to understanding biomedical and veterinary elective course opportunities that allow students to focus sciences to prepare students for research and academic health on specific educational and career goals. In the clinical sciences careers. year, students participate exclusively in clinical rotations in A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with a veterinary the veterinary medical center and in required externships public health concentration is available only to veterinary (temporary educational experiences in private or academic students in the UT College of Veterinary Medicine (dual practice). DVM-MPH), graduate veterinarians, and licensed veterinary medical technicians (LVMT). Veterinary public health focuses Internships & Residencies teaching and research on various aspects of One Health, the link between human, animal, and ecosystem health. Public Part of the college’s purpose is to provide post-DVM health practitioners play an integral role in food safety, disease educational opportunities in the form of internships and prevention in both humans and animals, and the promotion of residencies. Internships are one-year programs in either the human-animal bond. large or small animal medicine, offering veterinarians broad-based clinical exposure to areas that include surgery, A dual DVM-MS degree in animal science is also available for medicine, radiology, emergency medicine, ophthalmology, students that are interested. vetmed.tennessee.edu | 865-974-8387 HEALING ANIMALS & SO MUCH MORE Veterinarians make a difference every day. Veterinary medicine offers opportunities to work with animals, people, and the environment. Typical Careers Include • Private practice – small, large, exotic, or mixed animals • Shelter medicine • Corporate veterinary medicine • Biomedical research • Local or national government – biosecurity, regulatory medicine, food inspection and safety, or research • Agriculture – animal health • Zoo/Conservation/Wildlife • Military – biomedical research, or care for working dogs • Academic practice – teaching and research • Public & global health • Work with nonprofit organizations While the selection process is rigorous, UTCVM looks for well- or biology, others have completed varied degrees such as rounded individuals who are more than just a GPA. Animal music, accounting, chemistry, and engineering. See the list of experiences, leadership in clubs and organizations, volunteer prerequisite coursework for UTCVM on the following pages. positions, research projects, community involvement, and other talents may provide the right combination of skills that 4. Do I need to get my undergraduate degree from the same make a successful veterinary student and veterinarian. school as my veterinary medicine degree? No, but your undergraduate coursework must be from an accredited institution. At UTCVM, the majority of the students COMMON QUESTIONS are Tennessee residents. 1. When can I apply for veterinary school and how 5. Do I have to study all animal species? should I prepare? Yes. At UTCVM, you will learn to treat many species of animals, You can apply the year prior to expected entry, if all including dogs, cats, cows, horses, pigs, sheep, birds, exotic prerequisites will be complete before entry. You can start pets, wildlife, etc. Through electives, you will also have the preparing for your journey to become a veterinarian while in opportunity to focus on your specific areas of interest. high school. You will need to do well in chemistry, physics, 6. What specialties are available in veterinary medicine? biology, mathematics, and English. There are many courses Many specialties exist, such as cardiology, ophthalmology, you have to take in college before meeting the requirements surgery, and avian/zoological medicine. For a complete list of to apply for veterinary school. Most applicants have the 41 recognized veterinary specialties, visit www.avma.org/ completed an undergraduate degree and acquired significant public/YourVet/Pages/veterinary-specialists.aspx. exposure to veterinary medicine and to different species of 7. How long does it take to finish veterinary school? animals. In the United States, it takes 4 years. The first 2.5 years are 2. How do I gain the necessary experience? traditional fall and spring semesters of classroom work, Job shadowing and volunteering are excellent ways to gain laboratories, and clinical exposure. The last 1.5 years are spent experience in the field of veterinary medicine. At UTCVM, we in clinical rotations. If you decide to enroll in a dual DVM-PhD, encourage you to gain varied animal experience, both with DVM-MPH, or DVM-MS degree program, it will take more than and without veterinarians. It is important to log the time you 4 years. spend gaining experience. Make sure to note the hours, the 8. How much does veterinary school cost? species involved, the veterinarians you worked/volunteered The cost varies by university. You can check UTCVM’s current with, and any unique opportunities. tuition, fees, financial aid, and scholarship information at 3. Do I have to be a pre-veterinary medicine major? tiny.utk.edu/vetmedadmissions. No, but you must complete the prerequisite coursework. While the majority of our students have majored in animal science VETERINARY SCHOOL PREPARATION CHECKLIST High School College Study hard – focus especially on math and science classes. Meet with your advisor often – your advisor can help make If available, take Advanced Placement (AP) courses. sure you’re staying on track towards your goals. Spend time with animals – consider volunteer or internship Complete prerequisite coursework – begin taking programs at veterinary clinics, animal shelters, farms, or prerequisite courses early in your collegiate career - biology, zoos, or through experience with Eagle Scouts, 4-H, or chemistry, physics, etc. Don’t wait until the last semester FFA programs. of college to take all your most difficult classes. Doing so can reflect poorly on your vet school application and can Find a professional – seek information or advice about the profession from local veterinarians who may be willing to skew your final GPA. Visit college websites or the VMSAR serve as mentors. (Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements) for lists of prerequisite courses. Explore what’s out there – attend college health fairs, then start combing the internet for veterinary colleges that Use your summers – find animal internships or volunteer might interest you, and perhaps even visit a campus to opportunities to participate in during the summer. see what it’s like. Some veterinary colleges, like UTCVM, Work on research projects – find opportunities to participate provide summer programs for high school students to gain in student research projects or assist professors with research. veterinary experience ( ). tiny.utk.edu/VSEP Join a club – if your school has a pre-veterinary club, join it and take leadership roles to expand your experience. Develop communication skills – good communication skills are necessary for veterinarians as they work with animal owners. Consider coursework or extracurricular activities designed to improve your communication skills. It may also help during the interview process. Visit vet schools – start thinking of which veterinary colleges you would like to apply to and plan visits to learn more about their admissions process. Visit the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) to compare programs (aavmc.org) Explore careers – learn more about the variety of careers that you can pursue with a degree in veterinary medicine. Prepare for and take the GRE – begin studying for