Veterinary Medicine

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at the University of California is a comprehensive and rigorous program designed to prepare students for a successful career in veterinary medicine. This program combines intensive classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical training to ensure graduates are equipped with a broad foundation in animal health, disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, surgery, pathology, and animal behavior, providing students with a well-rounded education in veterinary science. Students gain hands-on experience through supervised clinical rotations at state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospitals, where they work directly with animals and learn to apply their knowledge in real-world situations. The program emphasizes the importance of ethical practice, public health, and the One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Throughout their studies, students are encouraged to develop their critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills, essential for effective practice in diverse veterinary settings. The University of California’s DVM program also offers opportunities for research, specialization, and community engagement, fostering lifelong learning and professional development. Graduates of the program are prepared to work in a variety of settings, including private practice, research institutions, government agencies, and public health organizations. The program is committed to advancing veterinary medicine through innovation, collaboration, and excellence in education, ensuring its students are at the forefront of the field, ready to meet the challenges of modern veterinary healthcare.

Year 1 Curriculum

YEAR 1 FALL SEMESTER COURSES

• VET400 - Professional and Clinical Skills
• VET401 - Basic Foundations
• VET402 - Immunology/Hematology/Coagulation
• VET406 - Pharmacology/Nutrition/Toxicology
• VET407 - VMTH rotation

YEAR 1 SPRING SEMESTER COURSES

• VET400 - Professional and Clinical Skills
• VET403 - Musculoskeletal
• VET404 - Neuroscience/Senses/Behavior
• VET405 - Gastrointestinal/metabolism
• VET407 - VMTH Rotation

Year 2 Curriculum

YEAR 2 FALL SEMESTER COURSES

• VET408 - Cardiovascular/Respiratory
• VET409 - Renal/Urinary
• VET410 - Endocrine/Reproduction
• VET411 - Skin
• VET416 - VMTH Rotation
• VET417 - Professional & Clinical Skills

YEAR 2 SPRING SEMESTER CORE COURSES

• VET412 - Oncology
• VET413 - Immunology/Infectious Disease
• VET414 - Population Health
• VET415 - Clinical Foundations
• VET416 - VMTH Rotation
• VET417 - Professional & Clinical Skills

Year 3 Curriculum

YEAR 3 FALL SEMESTER COURSES

• VET430 - Core Stream
• VET431 - Anesthesia/Surgery Stream
• VET432A - Comparative Stream I
• VET432B - Comparative Stream II
• VET433A - Small Animal Stream I
• VET433B - Small Animal Stream II
• VET434A - Large Animal Stream I
• VET434B - Large Animal Stream II

YEAR 3 SPRING SEMESTER CORE COURSES

• VET430 - Core Stream
• VET431 - Anesthesia/Surgery Stream
• VET432C - Comparative Stream III
• VET433C - Small Animal Stream III
• VET435A - Large Animal Stream - Equine Emphasis
• VET435B - Large Animal - Livestock Emphasis
• VET435C - Large Animal Stream - Zoological Medicine Emphasis
• VET436 - Companion Small Mammal
• VET437 - Avian/Reptile
• VET438 - Poultry
• VET439 - Laboratory Animal
• VET440 - Business and Communication
• VET441 - Clinical Pathology

Year 4 Curriculum

• DVM447 - Education and Leadership
• VET449 - Externship
• DVM450 - Cardiology
• DVM451 - Clinical Pathology
• DVM452 - Small Animal Community Medicine
• DVM453 - Small Animal Community Surgery Gourley
• DVM454 - Companion Avian Pet Exotics
• DVM455 - Dentistry/Oral Surgery
• DVM456 - Dermatology
• DVM457 - Equine Emerg Critical Care Surgery
• DVM458 - Equine Emergency Nights
• DVM459 - Equine Field Service
• DVM460 - Equine Medicine - General
• DVM461 - Equine Reproduction
• DVM462 - Equine Surgery & Lameness I
• DVM463 - Farrier Shop
• DVM464 - Small Animal Community Surgery CCAH
• DVM465 - Equine Surgery & Lameness II
• DVM466 - Small Animal Medicine B
• DVM467 - Small Animal Outpatient Medicine
• DVM469 - California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory
• DVM470 - Food Animal Preceptorship
• DVM471 - Livestock Medicine
• DVM472 - Livestock Reproduction
• DVM473 - Dairy Production Medicine
• DVM474 - Equine Emergency Critical Care Medicine
• DVM475 - Laboratory Animal Medicine
• DVM476 - Large Animal Anesthesia
• DVM477 - Large Animal Radiology
• DVM478 - Large Animal Ultrasonography
• DVM479 - Small Animal Emergency PM
• DVM480 - Neurology/Neurosurgery
• DVM481 - Nutrition
• DVM482 - Oncology
• DVM483 - Ophthalmology
• DVM484 - Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery
• DVM485 - Anatomic Pathology
• DVM486 - Primate Medicine
• DVM487 - Radiation Oncology
• DVM488 - Shelter Medicine
• DVM489 - Physical Rehabilitation
• DVM490 - Small Animal Anesthesia
• DVM491 - Small Animal Emergency AM
• DVM492 - Small Animal ICU
• DVM493 - Small Animal Medicine A
• DVM494 - Small Animal Radiology
• DVM495 - Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery
• DVM496 - Behavior
• DVM497 - Research
• DVM498 - Fish Health
• DVM499 - Zoological Medicine

Requirements

Grade Point Averages:

• Overall science GPA
• GPA of the most recent two years of graded undergraduate/graduate work - (minimum of 68 quarter units or 45 semester units)
• A minimum grade point average of 2.50 (on a 4-point scale, A=4) is required for all completed science courses and cumulative college coursework at time of application.

GRE Quantitative Scores

All applicants are required to take the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) which includes the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections. The GRE must be taken no later than August 31 of the year the application is submitted. Examinations taken after this deadline will not be accepted for consideration in the year the application is filed. The GRE must be taken within a five-year period, (Aug. 31, 2012 - Aug. 31, 2017) prior to applying to veterinary school. Applicants shouldn’t wait until the last-minute to take the exam. Extensions to the test deadline are not granted so applicants should take the test early to avoid last-minute complications and mishaps.

When the GRE has been taken more than once, the highest quantitative score will be used. Verbal and Analytical Writing scores may be used in the process. If so, the highest scores will be used. All GRE score reports must be delivered to VMCAS electronically from ETS and received by September 15. VMCAS will accept scores May-September 15.

• A minimum of 180 hours of veterinary experience are required to have your application considered for admission; however, admitted applicants have an average of 2,000 hours of quality “hands-on” experience in the veterinary field. You are expected to have a realistic and appropriate perspective of the responsibilities of the veterinary profession. Your experience may come from a job or volunteer service. You may acquire experience by working with veterinarians in private practice, farms, ranches, animal shelters, zoos, aquaria, etc.
• Applicants must submit at least three eLetters of Recommendation as part of their VMCAS application (refer to VMCAS instructions for more information).  VMCAS will accept more than 3 evaluations; however, we will consider only 3 letters. Once your application has been verified by VMCAS, we will email you instructions to set-up your applicant portal. You will need to indicate the 3 letters you wish us to consider when you complete your applicant portal. We will calculate a composite score of your 3 eLORS by using the ratings your evaluators provide on the eLOR evaluation. The composite score will be factored with GPA’s and GRE scores to rank the applicant pool for invitations to interview (MMI process). 
• Interviews will be conducted using the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) technique. The MMI is a series of short, structured interviews used to assess personal traits/qualities. Each mini interview provides a candidate with a few minutes to read a question/scenario and mentally prepare before entering the interview room. Upon entering, the candidate has several minutes of dialogue with one interviewer/assessor/rater (or, in some cases, a third party as the interviewer/assessor observes). At the conclusion of the interview, the interviewer/assessor has a few minutes to evaluate while the candidate moves to the next scenario. This pattern is repeated through a circuit of 10 stations. The MMI was derived from the well-known OSCE (objective structured clinical examination) used by many medical programs to assess a student's application of clinical skills and knowledge. However, the MMI does not test knowledge of veterinary medicine but rather personal attributes such as communication skills and ability to work as part of a team, ethical and critical decision-making abilities, and behaviors important to being a veterinarian such as empathy, honesty and reliability.
• Non-native English speaking applicants must take the ib-TOEFL test unless they received a bachelor’s degree from an English speaking university in the U.S. The TOEFL test must be taken by August 31st and scores must be sent to school code 4834 by September 15th. The minimum acceptable score is 105.

The University of California offers comprehensive financial support options for students enrolled in the Veterinary Medicine program. These include federal and state financial aid programs such as grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and loans. Prospective and current students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal aid programs like Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and work-study funds. Additionally, the university provides numerous scholarships specific to veterinary students based on merit, need, or a combination of both, which are awarded annually through the university’s scholarship office.

Graduate and professional students within the program may also have access to tuition remission programs, assisting in mitigating the cost of tuition fees. External funding opportunities are available through private organizations, foundations, and industry partners dedicated to veterinary medicine and animal health. These organizations often offer fellowships, scholarships, and grants targeting veterinary students demonstrating academic excellence, research potential, or commitment to specific areas like wildlife, equine, or clinical practice.

Part-time employment on or near campus can help students manage expenses while gaining practical experience. The university’s financial aid advisors provide personalized counseling to help students navigate application processes, understand loan repayment obligations, and plan for their educational expenses over the duration of their studies. Furthermore, students are encouraged to explore external scholarship databases and professional veterinary associations that regularly offer funding opportunities for veterinary students.

The university also participates in loan forgiveness programs for veterinary students who meet certain service criteria, such as working in underserved areas or in public service roles upon graduation. Overall, the University of California aims to provide accessible financial support structures to ensure that qualified students can pursue their veterinary education without undue financial hardship, fostering the development of skilled professionals dedicated to animal health and welfare.

The University of California offers a comprehensive Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program designed to prepare students for a professional career in veterinary medicine. The program typically spans four academic years, combining rigorous classroom instruction, laboratory work, and extensive clinical experience. The curriculum covers a broad range of subjects, including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, surgery, and medicine of various animal species.

In the first years, students focus on foundational sciences, gaining a thorough understanding of animal biology and health. As they progress, the emphasis shifts toward clinical rotations, where students work directly with animals under the supervision of experienced veterinarians. These rotations take place in various settings, including university veterinary clinics, farms, zoos, and shelters, providing students with diverse practical experiences.

The program also emphasizes the development of communication skills, ethical decision-making, and the ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams. The University of California's veterinary schools may also incorporate research opportunities, internships, and community outreach programs, encouraging students to engage with current issues in animal health and welfare.

Admission to the program is competitive, requiring a strong academic record, relevant veterinary experience, and fulfillment of prerequisite coursework. Graduates of the DVM program are equipped to pursue licensure and enter careers in private practice, research, public health, or academia. The university maintains high standards of animal care and emphasizes the importance of humane treatment, ethical practice, and continual learning in the veterinary profession.

Overall, the University of California's Veterinary Medicine program aims to produce highly skilled, compassionate, and responsible veterinarians who can contribute to animal health and public safety at local, national, and global levels.