Becoming a veterinarian typically involves the following educational timeline:
- Undergraduate education: Usually 4 years of college to complete prerequisite courses and earn a bachelor's degree.
- Veterinary school: Most veterinary schools require 4 years of professional study to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. This includes classroom instruction and clinical training.
- Accelerated programs: Some schools, like Ross University, offer accelerated DVM programs that can be completed in as few as 3.25 years.
- Post-graduate training (optional): After vet school, some veterinarians choose to specialize by completing residencies or internships, which can take an additional 1 to 5 years depending on the specialty.
In total, becoming a licensed veterinarian generally takes about 8 years-4 years undergraduate plus 4 years veterinary school-with possible additional years if specializing
