Do you have to get all higher degrees to become a veterinarian?

First you'll need a bachelor's degree. Some vet schools will require that it be in science, others just want you to have a Bachelor's Degree and they don't care what it's in. But if your serious about it a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science would be a good option. Then you'll have to apply to a vet school to get your DVM, which will take you another 4 years. Here's a good website on getting into a vet school and what you need to do leading up to that point.

https://www.avma.org/public/Careers/Pages/vet-school-admission-101.aspx

Also, be sure to do some volunteer work or internship at a vet clinic to make sure it's really what you want to do before you spend 4 more years getting your DVM and go into further tuition debt.

I interned at a vet clinic during high school and realized that it was boring and depressing, for me at least. I spent most of my days with cats and dogs taking temps, giving shots, and sitting with crying owners while their pets were being put down.

I also volunteered at a zoo and found it much more exciting and interesting because I got to work with all different kinds of animals. I got to help train them to receive check-ups, feed them, build their enclosures, create their enrichments, hand raise babies, etc. In the end, I became a zookeeper and I love it!

To get accepted into a Veterinary program, you typically need a 4 year college degree with a science major ( in order to complete all the prerequisites). The admissions staff do look at your grades closely so doing well, especially in the science based courses, is important. But grades are not everything. They are looking for well rounded students who do have experience with animals.

Good job researching the information you have already. In LA the vet school is at LSU. If you have not already, you should call the Vet School ( or go online) and get info from the office of admissions. This will include a list of Pre requisites or courses & other things you must fulfill to apply. You do not have to get a masters degree to do this, but that would be great on your application. It is usually better to get some sort of degree since the number of hours of undergraduate study required to fulfill the list of prerequisties is long, makes up most of a dgree plan, and it would be silly to do most of the work to graduate and then not get a degree.