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Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit .

The academic professional program calls for two phases of education: a preclinical three-year phase and a clinical phase in the fourth year of training. The first through the third years of the professional program are concerned with a gradual progression from a basic science presentation to a more clinical application of veterinary science. Two summer-vacation periods are allowed in the first three years of the professional program.

The clinical program at NC State Veterinary Medicine provides a heavy emphasis for actual “hands-on” clinical practice and is demanding both physically and mentally. Students select “focus areas” to increase their depth of training in their intended area of post-graduate activity, while still retaining a broad based veterinary education. There are ten focus areas from which to choose:

  • Clinician Scientist
  • Epidemiology, Public Health, and Public Policy
  • Equine Practice
  • Food Animal
  • Laboratory Animal Medicine
  • Mixed Animal Practice
  • Pathology
  • Small Animal Practice
  • Small and Exotic Animal Medicine
  • Zoological Medicine

In the first year, a DVM student will be able to describe the evolution, development, function and identification of normal microscopic and gross anatomy, explain the physiological and biochemical basis for common tests used in the diagnostic process, and learn how to effectively communicate in small groups in a professional veterinary context.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
ղѰ910 Careers in Veterinary Medicine 1
ղѵ911 Veterinary Anatomy I 5
ղѵ912 Introduction to Clinical Problem Solving in Veterinary Practice 2
ղѵ913 Veterinary Physiology and Microanatomy I 5
ղѵ914 Histology and Cytology 2
ղѰ914 Group Communication in Veterinary Medicine 1
ղѱ910 Infection and Immunity 1 3
ղѱ916 Health Maintenance and Animal Production I 1
Hours20
Spring Semester
VMB920 Small Group Problem Solving in Veterinary Medicine 1
VMB921 Veterinary Comparative Anatomy 4
VMB923 Veterinary Physiology and Microanatomy II 4
VMC927 Introduction to Companion Animal Behavior 2
ղѱ916 Health Maintenance and Animal Production I 1
VMP920 Infection and Immunity 2 4
VMP921 Problem Solving for Cases in Infectious Diseases and Immunity 1 2
VMC937 Introduction to Physical Examination Skills- Small Animal 1
Hours19
Total Hours39
Plan of Study Grid
Second Year
Fall SemesterHours
VMB930 Anesthesiology 2
VMB931 Veterinary Ethics and Animal Welfare 2
VMB932 Veterinary Medical Decision Making 1
VMB933 Veterinary Pharmacology I 3
VMB936 Introduction to Radiology 1
VMC932 Principles of Surgery 3
VMP930 Infection and Immunity 3 3
VMP931 Veterinary Pathology I 3
VMP934 Problem Solving for Cases in Infectious Diseases & Immunity 2 2
VMP936 Health Maintenance and Animal Production II 1
Hours21
Spring Semester
VMB943 Veterinary Pharmacology II 3
VMB944 Veterinary Toxicology and Poisonous Plants 2
VMC942 Principles of Medicine 2
VMC943 Laboratory Animal and Zoological Species Health and Disease I 1
VMC944 Introduction to Clinical and Professional Communication 1
VMP936 Health Maintenance and Animal Production II 1
VMP941 Veterinary Pathology II 4
VMP942 Veterinary Clinical Pathology 3
VMP945 Epidemiology & Public Health 3
Hours20
Total Hours41
Plan of Study Grid
Third Year
Fall SemesterHours
VMB952 Specialized Problem Solving in Veterinary Medicine 1
VMC951 Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery I 4
VMC952 Equine Medicine and Surgery 3
VMC953 Laboratory Animal and Zoological Species Health and Disease II 3
VMC956 Advanced Clinical and Professional Communication 1
VMC957 Introduction to Clinical Practice 1
VMC933 Theriogenology 2
VMP956 Health Maintenance and Animal Production III 1
Hours16
Spring Semester
VMB960 Veterinary Radiology and Radiobiology 2
VMB961 Success in the Clinics and Beyond 1
VMB965 Veterinary Nutritional Health 2
VMC961 Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery II 3
VMC965 Advanced Principles of Surgery 1
VMP962 Ruminant Medicine 3
VMP964 Swine and Poultry Medicine 2
Hours14
Total Hours30

Fourth-year students must complete required and elective rotations that vary depending on the students’ selected. Students must complete 43 credits in the senior year: 40 credits of clinical rotations and three credits in Clinical Conference. The clinic year consists of 24 blocks, two-to-three weeks in length, with up to four vacation blocks and three extramural experiences (Clinician Scientist, Epidemiology, & Food Animal Focus Areas have different extramural requirements). A total of 168 credit hours are required for graduation. Clinical Conference presentations are required of each senior.

The clinic scheduling process begins in fall of third year with information sessions with senior clinicians and/or clinical coordinators, Academic Affairs, and Students Services.

VMC996Advanced Exotic Animal Medicine2
VMC959Advanced Primate Medicine2-4
VMC958Advanced Prosimian Medicine2
VMP975Advanced Topics in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology1-6
VMB977Clinical Anesthesia Rotation2
VMC998Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Medicine2
VMC972Clinical Small Animal Veterinary Cardiology2
VMB978Clinical Behavior & Nutrition2
VMC995Clinical Conference1
VMP978Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine2
VMB962Clinician Scientist Research Experience1-10
VMC983Dermatology2
VMP979Epidemiology2
VMC966Equine Emergency and Critical Care2
VMC978Equine Lameness and Imaging2
VMC979Equine Medicine2
VMC968Equine Orthopedic Surgery and Lameness2
VMC949Equine Primary Care4
VMC993Equine Special Topics2
VMC975Equine General Surgery2
VMC988Exotic Animal Medicine2
VMC946Extramural Business Management Experience2
VMC955Extramural Experiences in Lab An Med2
VMP994Extramural Experience in Pathology1-4
VMC994Small Animal 4th Year Extramural Studies1-6
VMC963Extramural Experience in Zoological Medicine2
VMP971Food Animal Diagnostics for Disease Diagnosis, Control, and Population Surveilla2
VMP976Food Animal Pharmacology2
VMP977Autopsy/ Clinical Pharmacology2
VMP974Food Supply Veterinary Medicine2
VMC939Small Animal Primary Care2
VMC981Lab Animal Medicin2
VMC974Equine Dentistry and Podiatry2
VMC986Adv Com An Int Med2
VMC971Comp Animal Med II4
VMC954Companion Animal Medicine for Food Animal Students2
VMC984Intro Clin Neuro2
VMC980Vet Medical Oncology2
VMC982Ophthalmology2
VMP982Poultry Health Management I2
VMP983Poultry Health Management II2
VMC948Clinical Rotation in Veterinary Radiation Oncology2
VMB976Radiology Rotation2
VMC997Raptor Medicine and Rehabilitation2
VMC930Rehabilitation and Mobility Clinical Rotation2
VMP970Ruminant Health Management I2
VMP972Ruminant Health Management II2
VMP987Ruminant Topics2
VMC950Sea Turtle Medicine and Rehabilitation2
VMC960Small Animal Emergency Service2
VMC973Small Animal Surgery (Topics Include: Small Animal General Surgery; Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery)2
VMP973Special Topics in Epidemiology2
VMC941Special Topics in Theriogenology2
VMP984Swine Health Management I2
VMP985Swine Medicine & Production II2
VMC940Clinical Theriogenology2
VMB976Radiology Rotation (Ultrasound)2
VMC976Veterinary Critical Care2
VMP999Extramural in Vet International Programs2
VMC989Zoological Medicine4
VMC947Practice Management: Evaluating the workflow, services, and financial performance of a hospital2
VMP990Extramural Experiences - Large Animal (Topics include: Extramural Experiences in Equine; Extramural Experiences in Food Animal/Mixed Animal)2