Special Programs and Entrance Pathways

Combined Programs
- DVM/PhD – The Combined DVM/PhD accepts students to the Comparative Biomedical Sciences where they study with faculty who are employing state-of-the-art techniques to address a number of interesting scientific problems in the basic and applied biomedical sciences.
- Combined DVM/MBA – Applicants interested in the combined degree program must be accepted by both the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Jenkins MBA Program.
Other Academic Programs
- Food Animal Scholars
- Equine Scholars
- The University of North Carolina (UNC) System Veterinary Education Access (UNC-SVEA) Program
Curriculum Statement
- The academic professional program calls for two phases of education. A preclinical three-year phase is followed by a clinical phase in the fourth year of training. The first through the third year 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.
- Check the college website for curricular updates.
Clinical Year
- Fourth-year students complete a clinical year (49 credits) which consists of a combination of core and elective rotations that are determined based upon a student’s declared species priority area with two vacation blocks. A total of 181.5 credit hours are required for graduation.
Summer Research Internship Program for First and Second-year Veterinary Medicine Students
- The objective of the Veterinary Scholars Program is to provide veterinary students with mentored research experiences in biomedical laboratories located within our College of Veterinary Medicine. Students are expected to complete 10 weeks of full-time research over the course of the summer. In addition to working in research laboratories, there will be several joint events held during the summer for all participating students.
Highlights
- Teaching Animal Unit
  - The Teaching Animal Unit (TAU) is located just east of the College of Veterinary Medicine on approximately 80 of the campus’ 180 acres. The staff and PHP residents are actively involved in training the veterinary students who participate in laboratory training during Years 1-3 of the professional DVM curriculum. The TAU is a dynamic teaching lab for veterinary students to learn husbandry, production management, and routine procedures used in livestock production. Students are able to observe and work with normal animals in a real farm setting.
  - The TAU is consistently one of the most popular activities in which veterinary students engage at NC State. They have regularly scheduled labs during Years 1-3, and make visits as part of their senior rotations during Year 4. The Unit consists of six sub units that reflect the principal food animal groups.
  - A new dairy barn, opened in 2024, allows the college to demonstrate the most contemporary production practices that provide a healthy environment for cattle and a safe place to produce milk.
- Large Animal
  - The college recently received funding to remodel the large animal hospital that will include a new, modern Equine Veterinary Center. Construction is expected to start in spring 2025.
- House System
  - Students are sorted into four houses as part of a college-wide wellness initiative. Throughout the academic year, the houses, which boast groups of students reflecting differences in backgrounds and areas of study, compete to earn points by participating in various campus events.
  - The house model focuses on promoting intellectual growth, mental and emotional health, social development, cultural competence and physical health.
- Student Support
  - CVM students are offered a host of services that are free of charge. Students will have access to counseling services, financial planning, career services and clubs and organizations.

North Carolina State University

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