Special programs / entrance pathways:
- VetLEAD: Veterinary Leadership through Early Admissions for Diversity (VetLEAD): VetLEAD creates a pathway into the DVM program for students at under-represented serving partner schools, including Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU). High achieving students with relevant experience enrolled at partner schools may apply for an early admissions decision after they have completed at least two semesters at their home school. Read more about the program at our web site.
- NATIVet: Native American Talent in Veterinary Education (NATIVet): Veterinary school applicants who are enrolled members of a federally or state recognized Tribal Nation in Minnesota or a bordering state (North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin), or legal residents of Minnesota or a bordering state who are enrolled in a federally or state-recognized Tribal Nation in the United States, are invited to submit a supplemental application. Candidates accepted through NATIVet will receive admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. Read more about this program at our web site.
- Combined Programs:
  - DVM/PhD: Two options available for formal DVM/PhD study: DVM/PhD in Comparative and Molecular Bio-sciences or DVM/PhD in Veterinary Medicine. Under the concurrent option, students complete the first two years of the DVM curriculum, then transfer to the PhD program. Following defense of an original PhD thesis, students return to the DVM program to complete clinical training and degree requirements. Alternatively, students may complete all DVM requirements before entering the PhD program full time. Learn more about this program at our website: z.umn.edu/DVMDual
  - DVM/MPH: In this program veterinary students can simultaneously earn a DVM and a master of public health (MPH) degree in as little as four years. Students obtain the credentials to work in government or industry on issues relating to food safety, emerging infectious diseases, bio-security, and public health. MPH students complete veterinary and human public health field experience and a “culminating experience” project under the guidance of a faculty adviser. Learn more about this program at our website: z.umn.edu/dvmmph
  - Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine (PPVM): In this 2+2 program a cohort of 20 students will spend their first two years of veterinary college at South Dakota State University training to become rural veterinary practitioners. The final two years of training take place at the University of Minnesota. Student will graduate with a degree from the U of M. Application for this program will be taken through VMCAS through the South Dakota State University program. For more details, visit: https://www.sdstate.edu/ppvm
Other Academic Programs:
- Summer Scholars: The Summer Scholars program offers first and second year veterinary students the opportunity to participate in research projects related to veterinary, animal, and human health initiatives. Through this experiential learning, students will gain an appreciation of biomedical and veterinary research careers and see firsthand how research contributes to advances in health care and veterinary practice. Learn more about the Summer Scholars program here.
Curriculum:
- The University of Minnesota curriculum is based on progression from normal to abnormal and from the cellular level to the whole animal. The curriculum includes purposeful integration of topics across courses within and between semesters and early introduction to hands-on opportunities with animals in clinical skills courses. Tracking begins in the third year and includes opportunities in small animals, horses, food animals, research, and a mixed track. Clinical training is 13 months in length, with access to over 60 choices of clinical rotations at our Veterinary Medical Center, Equine Center, Dairy Education Center, West Metro Equine service, and the Golden Valley Humane Society, as well as extensive externship opportunities.
- Clinical skills courses begins the first semester of the first year and continue through each semester of the program. Clinical rotations span the last 13 months of the program.
Highlights
- We offer one of the largest teaching hospitals in the country with over 35,000 cases treated per year. Our unique geographic location in an urban setting, yet close to rural agricultural farmland, provides a well-balanced caseload among multiple species. We also benefit by our proximity to two zoos, a wildlife rehabilitation center, multiple animal shelters, and many biomedical technology companies in the Twin Cities. Students benefit from flexible track options, starting in their third year, and extensive hands-on experience throughout all four years of the curriculum.

University of Minnesota

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