Pre-Veterinary

Description

The Pre-Veterinary Medicine program provides the first two years of core classes for students planning a career in veterinary medicine and is not a degree in itself. Coursework focuses on biology, chemistry, physics, animal science, mathematics, and English. BSC recommends identifying an appropriate major early on, as well as the veterinary college(s) where a student plans to apply.

Preparation

High school students interested in veterinary medicine should take as many science and math classes as possible.

Requirements

Those completing the suggested curriculum requirements receive an Associate in Science or Associate in Arts degree and are eligible to transfer to a four-year institution and/or veterinary college.

Most North Dakota residents prepare for admission to veterinary colleges in Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, or Arizona because of contractual, or Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE), admission agreements with these states. Pre-veterinary students, who are North Dakota residents, must register with the State Board of Higher Education (701-328-4114) in the year of their application to establish eligibility for contract seats with veterinary colleges. These contract seats allow accepted North Dakota residents to attend participating veterinary colleges for in-state tuition. Detailed information, including the application process, can be found at www.aavmc.org.

Bismarck State College has many cooperative, articulation, or transfer agreements with postsecondary institutions both inside and outside of the North Dakota University System. Some of these agreements are established to allow students to remain on campus as they complete their bachelor’s degree. In all cases, students seeking to transfer after completing a degree at BSC should consult the academic catalog of their destination college and work with their academic advisor to plan for this transition.

Career Opportunities

The curriculum prepares students for admission to all veterinary colleges in the United States, Canada, and selected foreign countries.