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Reviewed by:
Former Chief Resident in Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, & Admissions Officer, Columbia University
Reviewed: 9/26/22
How long do you have to go to school to be a vet? The answer varies, but we’ll break it down for you in this handy guide.
Becoming a veterinarian can be a fulfilling career if you want to merge your love of animals and science. However, your four-legged patients can’t talk, so you’ll need an excellent understanding of animal symptoms, disorders, and diseases.
But how long does it take to become a vet? We’ll outline how long you can expect to be in school, whether or not vet school is worth it, and more.
Earning the necessary credentials to become a veterinarian is a lengthy commitment. After high school, becoming a vet takes about eight years: four years earning your undergraduate degree and four years at a vet school earning your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
However, how long it takes to be a veterinarian can vary. Sometimes people can finish their undergraduate degrees earlier or take an extra year. DVM programs are typically four years long. However, some programs can take three years to complete, such as at the University of Arizona.
Some students may complete a year-long internship to gain additional training and clinical skills before practicing independently. If you want to work in a specialty area of veterinary medicine, you’ll likely need to continue studying for at least three years through a residency.
There are 41 distinct specialties in veterinary medicine, such as:
Dr. Jim Carlson, a veterinarian outside Chicago, said:
"You get to learn about the large and small animals. That's unique to our profession, because we come out (of vet school) having a basic knowledge of all animals, from ants to elephants.”
Becoming a veterinarian can take around seven to nine years or longer if you want to pursue a specialty. For example, if you specialize in reptiles and amphibians, you’ll need to complete another six years of schooling before earning certification.
Becoming a veterinarian can be rewarding, but deciding if vet school is right for you or not is challenging. It's helpful to weigh vet school’s benefits and considerations.
Along with interacting with many types of critters daily, there are many benefits to pursuing vet school.
One of the best parts about vet school is you’ll learn about all types of animals. When you become a veterinarian, you’re sure to never have an identical workday.
Dr. Robin Solomon, a licensed veterinarian in New York, said the vet school curriculum is diverse, balancing science courses with clinical training.
Solomon said:
“classes include the anatomy and physiology of many species (cats, dogs, horses, cows, and exotic species), nutrition, microbiology, infectious diseases, internal medicine, and surgery. Elective courses are also offered in areas of aquatic and zoo animal medicine, conservation of endangered species, rehabilitation medicine and Eastern medicine such as acupuncture.”
Vet school allows you to absorb tremendous amounts of varied material. After you become a veterinarian, you’ll still enjoy a level of variety.
Dr. Tony DeMarco, a veterinarian who owns the Lee's Summit, Missouri, said, “I might see a cute new family puppy first thing in the morning and then evaluate a sick cat for surgery.” If you crave new and exciting prospects in your career, you’re sure to have it as a veterinarian.
You’ll also get to work with animals as part of your career; if that’s your main goal, attending vet school is worth it.
Unlike med school, there’s no pressure to choose a specialization; many veterinarians never do. Dr. Lori Pasternak, the co-founder of Helping Hands Affordable Veterinary Surgery & Dental Care, said:
“Every day we get to be dermatologists, cardiologists, surgeons, internists, neurologists, ophthalmologists, and more.”
Even if you don’t want to choose a specialization, there are many job types within the field. Veterinarians aren’t limited to just working at a private practice. They can work in research, public health, the military, and regulatory medicine, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency.
DeMarco said, “There are many potential career paths, from small animal doctor to state health inspector, and from researcher to relief vet."
As a veterinarian, your job is to speak for those without a voice and to determine their needs. Veterinarians must have excellent communication skills and collaborate with animal owners to determine a pet’s issue.
Beginning a treatment or identifying what’s wrong with an animal helps them and the sometimes distraught owners. You get to know your community and see the animals you work with return to their former health.
Job security is an excellent benefit of going to vet school. The U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the employment of veterinarians will grow 17% between 2020 and 2030, a much faster rate than other occupations.
The BLS projects approximately 4,400 openings for veterinarians per year for the next decade, primarily to replenish the labor force as other vets retire.
While there are many rewarding elements to look forward to as a vet, there are also some factors you should consider.
Getting your DVM takes about four years with an often demanding schedule. While how many years it takes to become a vet varies, you must factor in your education’s price. Tuition can be hefty depending on which school you choose.
De Marco said that the salary-to-debt ratio is poor for veterinarians, but people usually don’t choose the job because they expect it to be lucrative.
“Money can be a touchy subject, especially since we work in a caring profession and generally prefer to tackle medical rather than financial challenges,” he said.
The BLS states veterinarians’ median pay was $100,370 per year. In comparison, physicians’ median pay was equal to or greater than $208,000 per year.
In theory, becoming a veterinarian sounds like a happy job. Unfortunately, that’s always the reality. Animal lovers will need to learn how to deal with sad scenarios in their time as veterinarians; just like human medicine, sometimes there’s not much left you can do.
Getting accepted at a vet school takes time and effort to ensure your application is polished and ready for submission. There are only 32 of them in the U.S., making getting into vet school competitive.
However, a perfect application is crucial to boost your acceptance chances. You should never let admissions statistics scare you away from attending the school of your dreams, but it’s important to be mindful of the competition.
Still have questions about how much schooling you need to be a vet? Read on to have your questions answered.
After high school, you can expect to be in school for seven to nine more years to become a vet. If you choose to pursue a specialty, this timeline is extended.
Vet school is typically four years long. However, some vet schools may offer three-year DVM programs, such as the University of Arizona.
The shortest possible time is six years: however, you’re more likely to complete your veterinary education in seven to nine years. To become a vet in six short years, you’d need to finish your undergraduate degree in three years (through summer sessions or AP/IB courses in high school) and complete a three-year DVM program.
Obtaining a DVM typically takes four years.
How long it takes to become a vet varies, especially if you’re hoping to specialize through a residency. If you’re not looking to become a specialist, you can expect to spend seven to nine years completing your post-secondary education.
While attending vet school can be challenging, you can reap the rewards after graduation. Becoming a veterinarian is a rewarding career: you help lifeforms who otherwise can’t communicate. Becoming a vet takes many steps, but you can surely reach your goal with patience and hard work.
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