Veterinarians in Training
Training for veterinarians involves obtaining a doctor of veterinary medicine degree as well as a state license. Most programs require that an applicant have a bachelor's degree to apply. The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges website publishes colleges, both in the United States and internationally, that offer veterinary programs, college-specific requirements and tips on applying. People preparing to enter the veterinary workforce need to develop skills to protect animal health, relieve animal suffering, conserve animal resources and promote health and safety.
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Prerequisite Skills and Knowledge
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Veterinarians in training typically require skills and knowledge in the sciences, including organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, biology and zoology. Other requirements include statistics, calculus and other mathematics. Veterinarians in training usually have to submit test scores from Graduate Record Examination, Veterinary College Admission Test or Medical College Admission test, depending on where they apply, to demonstrate this knowledge.
Internships
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Training to become a veterinarian typically involves clinical work. Internship experience allows students or recent graduates to work with seasoned professionals and learn on the job. Some institutions, such as the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, allow students to apply for research programs that prepare them to evaluate scientific articles, design experiments, organize data and write a research paper. Formal experience with veterinarians or scientists prepares students for health science careers. Additionally, experience at cattle farms, horse stables or animal shelters helps students develop the skills they need to work with large and small animals. Other internships prepare students to work as meat inspectors, disease-control staff and animal control officers.
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Combined Degrees
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Universities offer veterinary students the opportunity to combine degrees with disciplines such as biomedical services, laboratory animal medicine and public health. For example, at the Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine, students can enroll in a program to earn a master's of public health degree from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health while completing their veterinary training. Coursework includes both traditional classroom lectures and online classes offered during the summer.
Continuing Education
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Most states require licensed veterinarians to complete courses on an ongoing basis. These courses allow participants to listen to lectures from experts in specialized fields, improve their clinical skills and learn about current research. For example, the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association runs an event focused on medical and surgical solutions for practice problems, dentistry and dermatology for small animals, as well as problems faced by companion animals, farm animals and wildlife.
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