Veterinarians play a major role in the health of our society by caring for animals and by using their expertise and education to protect and improve human health as well. For information about veterinary medicine and veterinary programs, visit the American Association of Veterinary Medicine Colleges (AAVMC).
Exploration of the field is highly encouraged. You can do so by shadowing veterinarians and working or volunteering in animal or veterinary settings.
The timeline for application looks different for each student. Current Mizzou students can talk with their MedOpp advisor about their personal timeline and building their candidacy for veterinary school.
Courses
Veterinary medicine programs require a varying amount of prerequisite coursework* that must be completed before matriculation**, frequently:
- 1-2 courses of general chemistry with lab
- 1-2 courses of organic chemistry with lab
- 1-2 courses of physics with lab
- Several courses of biological sciences, some with lab
- 1-2 courses of English and/or Writing Intensive coursework
* See Plan of Study for recommended courses and Mizzou course numbers.
** Disclaimer: this list is not necessarily comprehensive. Please consult schools’ websites for exact requirements.
Very few veterinary medicine schools require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).