Maya
How many years does it take to become a veterinarian?
I am a high school student. I grew up taking care of animals so I want to continue taking care of them. I also want to be able to help my parents financially. I want to create some sort of financial plan to not have to worry about student debt later. #veterinary #animals
5 answers
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Charting a Path to Becoming a Veterinarian: The Journey of Education and Training
Embarking on the journey to becoming a veterinarian involves a series of educational and training steps. Here's a roadmap to guide you:
1. Undergraduate Education (4 years): Kickstart your journey with a bachelor’s degree. This typically takes about four years. While there's no hard and fast rule about what major to choose, most students opt for biology, animal science, or a similar field to cover the required prerequisite coursework.
2. Veterinary School (4 years): Post your bachelor’s degree, the next milestone is an accredited veterinary school. This is another four-year commitment, involving both theoretical instruction and practical clinical experience.
3. Licensing Exam: After successfully graduating from veterinary school, you'll need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) to earn your license to practice veterinary medicine.
In essence, becoming a licensed veterinarian usually involves around 8 years of education and training post high school, which includes 4 years of undergraduate study and 4 years of veterinary school.
It's worth mentioning that some veterinarians opt for further specialized training through internships or residencies after their primary education. The duration of these additional programs can fluctuate based on the chosen specialization.
In a nutshell, the journey to becoming a veterinarian demands commitment, perseverance, and a deep-seated love for animals. As you pointed out, financial planning is key due to the substantial investment in education this career path demands.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): The AVMA is a reputable organization that offers information on veterinary education prerequisites and accreditation norms for veterinary schools.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS provides data on the job prospects and typical educational prerequisites for veterinarians in the United States.
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC): AAVMC offers useful insights into the admission process and educational routes for budding veterinarians.
These sources were referred to ensure the information provided about the educational path to becoming a veterinarian is accurate and reliable.
Blessings,
JC.
Courtney Riel
Courtney’s Answer
It's great that you're thinking ahead. Basically.....8 years. You'll have 4 years getting your Bachelor's Degree and then another 4 years in vet school. You can shorten them a little by taking more than 12 hours a semester and taking summer classes, however most vet students do internships during the summer. Also, if you end up needing to re-take some classes, it could extend the 8 years to 8-9 years.
I actually considered being a vet and took vet med at my career high school. However, I did an internship at a vet clinic in high school and found it boring. That, plus $40,000 in tuition a year x 8 years = $320,000. I qualified for some scholarships, but not enough to cover the cost 100%. Honestly, I couldn't see graduating being $320,000 in debt, for a job I found boring. I also volunteered at a zoo during high school, which I LOVED! I'm now a zookeeper. It doesn't pay anywhere near what a vet does but I'm really happy with my decision. check this website out on the steps to becoming a vet.
https://vbs.psu.edu/majors/vbs/steps-to-becoming-a-veterinarian
Gabriel Figliuzzi
Gabriel’s Answer
Hi Maya,
Thanks for the question. The time it takes to earn a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree will take anywhere from 6-8 years. The time it takes depends on a number of factors including how quickly you complete your undergraduate degree and/or if you enroll in an accelerated BS to DVM program.
Here are a few links to accelerated programs:
Maryville College/University of Tennessee
https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/academics/programs-of-study/pre-vet-dvm/
Purdue Veterinary Scholars Program
https://vet.purdue.edu/dvm/vet-scholars.php
Tufts Early Acceptance Program
https://vet.tufts.edu/admissions/dvm-admissions/bachelordvm-program/
** There are more examples of programs like this. This is just to give you an idea of some of the options that are available to save both time & money.
Other options include completing CLEP and AP exams. These exams, if passed, will count as full college credit at many institutions (you will need to check with any school you are interested in to see if they accept these exams (along with how many and which exams). Many schools also offer condensed (short) courses over winter and summer break which could also speed up the time it takes you to earn the degree.
