Pre-Veterinary

Prepare to apply for veterinary school while also exploring and learning widely. 

What is Veterinary Medicine?

Veterinary medicine is the field of medicine devoted to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses in animals. Veterinarians may work with a variety of animals from small domestic, to large farm, or even exotic.

Why Alma?

Many schools encourage students, regardless of major, to consider strengths they could bring to the career. At Alma, students will develop strengths across different areas during their liberal arts education. Students will also have access to opportunities related to the pre-veterinarian field.

These include, but are not limited to:

• Access to hands on experience with animals within courses and research.
• Courses relevant to the field, such as Comparative and Environmental Physiology, Animal Behavior, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, and Animal Biology.
• Courses outside of the sciences, such as Health Communication, Ethics and Medicine and Health Care Administration that build knowledge/skills applicable to the profession.
• Field work at the Alma College Ecological Station (aka “the bog”).

How do I become a Veterinarian?

Practicing as a veterinarian requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, which is a four-year post-baccalaureate program. Students pursuing this career can complete the pre-vet curriculum at Alma College and then matriculate to a DVM program.

Where will you go?

Your Alma education will prepare you to continue your path towards a career that focuses on your particular academic interest or specialty.

There are 30 DVM programs in the United States, one of which is in Michigan. Many of our pre-veterinary students have matriculated to Michigan State University.

Additional Resources

American Veterinary Medical Association - national professional society for veterinarians

Michigan Veterinary Medical Association