Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program

The Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program at North Dakota State University provides you the opportunity to complete all of the requirements for admission to any of the veterinary colleges in the United States, Canada, and some foreign countries. Most North Dakota residents, however, prepare for admission to the veterinary college in Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, or California. In the mid 1980's North Dakota became an affiliate member of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) which provides access to educational opportunities for North Dakota students at veterinary colleges in all western states.

It is important for you, especially if you are not a resident of North Dakota, to identify early in the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program those veterinary colleges to which you will most likely apply. A catalog from that college is helpful when planning your Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program and in answering your many specific questions. Your advisor is a very valuable resource in this regard.

The Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program is not a degree granting program. It is important, therefore, to identify a program early in your college career that does grant a degree. There are several reasons for this. Although the pre-veterinary medicine requirements can be met for most veterinary colleges in two years, students normally are in the program for three plus years. Most veterinary colleges give extra credit for a degree when you apply. Additionally, a significant number of students make changes in career goals while at NDSU. Therefore, identifying a degree granting program early saves time later. We strongly encourage you to explore alternative careers by taking survey courses in various departments by enrolling in career planning courses and by taking full advantage of the Career Center located in Ceres Hall. Survey courses are found in many areas including microbiology, animal science, biology, veterinary technology, zoology, botany, entomology, crop and weed science, soil science, and cereal science and food technology. The Veterinary Technology Program at NDSU is now a four-year baccalaureate program. Pre-veterinary medicine requirements can be fulfilled while completing a veterinary technology degree. This is an example of dove-tailing pre-veterinary medicine with a degree granting program that can be completed in four years.

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The Department - NDSU Pre-Vet Club Homepage - Scholarships - Curriculum - Courses

The Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences

Pre-veterinary medicine students are assigned an official advisor; however, we encourage contacts with all faculty members in the department for the benefit of their experience, background, and advice.

There are a number of courses offered by the department that can be taken by pre-veterinary medicine students. These include all the undergraduate microbiology courses. We encourage all students interested in any aspect of veterinary medicine to enroll in Introduction to the Veterinary Profession. Other courses, especially if the Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Technology Programs are taken concurrently, should be chosen with care and in consultation with your advisor.

Pre-veterinary medicine students who have earned a GPA of 2.5 or higher are eligible to enroll in Veterinary Science 495 - Field Experience . This course offers volunteer career exploration through observation and work opportunities with local veterinary practitioners.

The Pre-Vet Club

The Pre-Vet Club at NDSU is open to any student interested in veterinary medicine. Students from MSU, Concordia, and UND have been members of the club in past years. The club provides for exploration of various career options within the veterinary profession through guest speakers, films, videos, and field trips. Some students attend the National Pre-Veterinary Symposium each year. The club provides an excellent opportunity to interact with other students with common career goals. Social activities are also an important part of the club's programs. Specific information about the Pre-Vet Club is available from departmental advisors.

Scholarships

Five veterinary science scholarships are available annually to pre-veterinary students. The Dr. Sidney S. Bjornson Scholarship fund furnishes one $150 scholarship. The Dr. Peter B. Molitor Scholarship fund provides four $300 scholarships. Information about these scholarships is available from the pre-veterinary advisors at the departmental address below.

Pre-veterinary students are eligible to apply for scholarships awarded through the College of Agriculture. Each year, students enrolled in the college receive over $100,000 from the College of Agriculture Scholarship Program. A booklet that contains a complete listing of the scholarships is available directly from the college. To receive a copy of the scholarship booklet, write to the Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture, Morrill 314, NDSU, Fargo, ND 58105.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine Curriculum

Current admission requirements for veterinary colleges that have accepted North Dakota students are available from the Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences at the address below. From these requirements and your degree program requirements, you can formulate a course schedule with the help of your advisor.