Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Associate of Science (424)
About Our Program
This program is intended to provide the first two years of a four-year baccalaureate program. Study in this major provides a foundation for a career in veterinary medicine through study in humanities, math, and sciences.
Nature of Work and Employment
Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and control the spread of diseases among animals. Many limit practice to companion animals. Others focus on food producing animals (cattle, poultry, fish, sheep, and swine), food safety inspection, horses, laboratory animals, or research and education.
The most common jobs graduates with advanced degrees in veterinary medicine have are staff veterinarian, research veterinarian, veterinarian medical officer, and public health veterinarian. Veterinarians require a license to practice.
Special Considerations
Students interested in this field should have an aptitude toward science, good interpersonal skills, emotional stability, physical stamina, and an interest in animals. Students also must be prepared to continue their education at the professional level after completing a baccalaureate degree. Schools of veterinary medicine limit enrollment and students compete vigorously for admission. Students should begin to independently investigate veterinary school admissions policies. The listed coursework is a recommendation only. Students should check with a student advisor for HCC graduation requirements and specific university requirements in this major. Students must meet with an advisor to ensure that the special requirements of the department and institution to which they plan to transfer are met. Colleges and universities have specific requirements for transfer students.
Regional Institutions
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine (Urbana, IL; Chicago, IL)
- Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine (Iowa City, IA)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine (Madison, WI)