3 answers
Samsara
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
3
Questions
Asked
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Can I become a Vet tech become a veterinarian in the future without going into a 4 year university?
My plan before becoming a vet tech was to be a veterinarian but I don't want to spend more than 8 years in school.
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3 answers
Tara Johns
Copywriter/Content Marketer
18
Answers
Gates, North Carolina
Updated
Tara’s Answer
For a career as a vet or vet tech, you must go to college and earn a degree. To become a veterinarian, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. The term "vet tech" can mean two different things and is used interchangeably. A vet TECHNICIAN only needs a two-year degree while a vet TECHNOLOGIST requires a four-year degree. While it does take eight years to become a veterinarian, it's a rewarding career and your love of animals will make that time well worth it.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6175
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Samsara,
To become a vet, you usually need to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. This is a four-year program that you can start after getting a bachelor's degree. However, the exact steps to become a vet can change based on where you live.
Usually, people who want to be vets first get a bachelor's degree in a related field, like biology or animal science. This gives them the basic knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, and other sciences that they'll need in vet school.
There are other ways to become a vet that don't involve going to a four-year university, but these can be harder and take more time. For example, some people get an associate degree in veterinary technology (vet tech) and work in the field before going to vet school.
One path might be to become a vet tech, then go back to school to become a vet. Vet tech programs usually take two years and teach students how to help vets in different clinical settings. Working as a vet tech gives people hands-on experience with animals and a better understanding of veterinary medicine. This can be helpful when applying to vet school because it shows dedication to the field.
After finishing a vet tech program and getting some work experience, you can apply to vet school. While being a vet tech can be a plus, it doesn't guarantee you'll get into vet school. Vet schools often ask for prerequisite coursework, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores (like the GRE), and interviews.
It's also worth mentioning that some vet schools have accelerated programs or combined bachelor’s/DVM programs. These let students finish their undergraduate education and DVM degree faster than usual. These programs usually have tougher admission requirements and might ask for better academic performance.
In short, while you can become a vet without going to a four-year university, it's usually easier to get a bachelor’s degree in a related field before going to vet school. But you can also choose to become a vet tech first and work in the field before going back to school to become a vet. This path might take more time and effort, but it can give you valuable experience and knowledge in veterinary medicine.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - www.avma.org
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - www.bls.gov
Veterinary Information Network (VIN) - www.vin.com
May you be blessed abundantly,
James Constantine.
To become a vet, you usually need to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. This is a four-year program that you can start after getting a bachelor's degree. However, the exact steps to become a vet can change based on where you live.
Usually, people who want to be vets first get a bachelor's degree in a related field, like biology or animal science. This gives them the basic knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, and other sciences that they'll need in vet school.
There are other ways to become a vet that don't involve going to a four-year university, but these can be harder and take more time. For example, some people get an associate degree in veterinary technology (vet tech) and work in the field before going to vet school.
One path might be to become a vet tech, then go back to school to become a vet. Vet tech programs usually take two years and teach students how to help vets in different clinical settings. Working as a vet tech gives people hands-on experience with animals and a better understanding of veterinary medicine. This can be helpful when applying to vet school because it shows dedication to the field.
After finishing a vet tech program and getting some work experience, you can apply to vet school. While being a vet tech can be a plus, it doesn't guarantee you'll get into vet school. Vet schools often ask for prerequisite coursework, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores (like the GRE), and interviews.
It's also worth mentioning that some vet schools have accelerated programs or combined bachelor’s/DVM programs. These let students finish their undergraduate education and DVM degree faster than usual. These programs usually have tougher admission requirements and might ask for better academic performance.
In short, while you can become a vet without going to a four-year university, it's usually easier to get a bachelor’s degree in a related field before going to vet school. But you can also choose to become a vet tech first and work in the field before going back to school to become a vet. This path might take more time and effort, but it can give you valuable experience and knowledge in veterinary medicine.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - www.avma.org
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - www.bls.gov
Veterinary Information Network (VIN) - www.vin.com
May you be blessed abundantly,
James Constantine.
Mary Jane Shroyer
Director of Health Professions Career Community
116
Answers
Grinnell, Iowa
Updated
Mary Jane’s Answer
Not all vet schools require you to complete a Bachelor's degree before you begin your vet med degree. However, to go this route, you typically need a VERY strong GPA and excellent animal/vet experiences so that you can make the case in your applications that you are just as strong as an applicant who has completed a B.S. and possibly even worked in the field for a couple of years and/or completed a Master's degree. It's not an easier path just because it is shorter and you'll need to demonstrate a high level of academic talent and maturity.
You can research schools by registering for a free account with the AAVMC at https://applytovetschool.org/. I would also suggest looking at your in-state vet school to see if they have any accelerated DVM programs. You can explore other accelerated programs but many of them do have residency restrictions so in-state is often the best place to start.
You can research schools by registering for a free account with the AAVMC at https://applytovetschool.org/. I would also suggest looking at your in-state vet school to see if they have any accelerated DVM programs. You can explore other accelerated programs but many of them do have residency restrictions so in-state is often the best place to start.