Veterinary Degrees Online

Medical professional schools
encourage students to develop the
broadest academic base possible in
undergraduate studies. Any
undergraduate major may be used
as background for entry. Pre-med
students should take courses that
develop disciplined thinking,
intelligent appreciation of values,
and sympathetic understanding of
society and human interaction.
The pre-professional medical
programs at Wichita State
University include: allopathic,
chiropractic, dentistry, and
naturopathic medicine, optometry,
osteopathic, pharmacy, physical
therapy, physician assistant,
podiatry, and veterinary medicine
programs.
A baccalaureate degree is
required for admission to most
professional medical programs.
Professional schools base
admission decisions on a variety of
items such as grade point average,
entrance exam score, interview,
and personal references. The
application process usually occurs
one year before the intended entry
date.
Professional schools encourage
employment or volunteer
experience within a professional or
related medical setting. Work and
volunteer experiences (including
shadowing) in health care
agencies, hospitals and physician’s
offices are strongly recommended.
Applicants are encouraged to
take coursework in any of the
following disciplines:
anthropology, communication,
computer science, economics,
ethics, human development,
literature, philosophy, psychology,
sociology, and statistics.
Core Courses for Professional
Schools
The undergraduate degree must
also include the successful
completion of the required
prerequisite core of courses such
as:
• English Composition (English
101 and 102)
• Public Speaking (Comm 111)
• College Algebra and College
Trigonometry (Math 111 and
123 or Math 112)
• Inorganic Chemistry (Chem
211 and 212)
• Organic Chemistry (Chem 531
and 532)
• General Biology (Biol 210 and
211)
• General College Physics (Phys
213 and 214 or 313 and 314
with labs). See pharmacy for
an exception.
• Additional courses such as
biochemistry strengthen the
degree.
Medicine (MD or DO)
Many graduates from WSU go on
to medical school at the University
of Kansas. Admission
requirements are essentially the
same for the MD (allopathic) and
DO (osteopathic) programs. The
Medical College Admissions Test
is required for MD and DO
professional schools as well as for
most podiatry schools. It is offered
electronically in January and also
April through September each
year.
Chiropractic (DC)
Each professional school sets its
own prerequisites and
requirements. In order to practice
in Kansas, you need to complete an
undergraduate degree. See an
academic advisor for more
information about this major.
Dentistry (DDS)
Applicants for the field of dentistry
complete the core courses listed
above and also additional biology
courses. (An academic advisor can
assist in choosing these courses).
The Dental Admissions Test is also
required. The state of Kansas
contracts with the University of
Missouri-Kansas City School of
Dentistry for dental school seats.
Optometry (OD)
Entry requirements for this
professional school are
considerably different from the
others. The Optometry Admissions
Test is required. Early in their
academic career, students should
see an academic advisor for
information about specific schools
and programs. The State of Kansas
contracts to provide optometry
07/2008
education with the following
schools:
• Southern College of
Optometry in Memphis,
Tennessee
• University of Missouri-St.
Louis college of Optometry
• Northwestern State
University College of
Optometry in Tahlequah,
Oklahoma
In addition to the core courses
listed above, many colleges of
optometry also require:
• Calculus I (Math 242)
• Microbiology (Biol 330)
• Biochemistry (Chem 561)
• Statistics (Math 370)
• Psychology (Psych 111)
Pharmacy (Pharm. D)
This program requires two
preparatory years of university
level coursework followed by four
years in the professional
curriculum. The sequence of the
courses is important, so students
are urged to meet with an
academic advisor early in the
student’s academic career. After
completing the pre-requisities for
pharmacy school, you will take the
PCAT exam and apply for
admission to the pharmacy school
of your choice.
In addition to the core courses
listed above, the KU School of
Pharmacy also requires:
• Intro Physics (Phys 111 or
one year of high school physics
with a grade of B or better).
• Calculus (Math 144 or 242)
• Microbiology (Biol 220 or
Biol 330)
• Anatomy and Physiology
(Biol 223 or 534 and Biol 527
and Biol 535)
Podiatry (DPM)
Applicants for the field of podiatry
complete the core courses listed
above and must also take the
Medical College Admissions Test.
Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
An undergraduate degree is
preferred for application to
veterinary school. The Graduate
Record Exam is required for entry
into the Kansas State University
veterinary program.
In addition to the core courses
listed above, applicants in this field
must complete the following:
• Microbiology (Biol 330)
• Genetics (Biol 419)
• Biochemistry (consult an
advisor to choose the correct
course)

Students interested in veterinary medicine are expected to have sound training in the sciences. Most students elect a major in biology or chemistry. Some may elect a major in Veterinary Medical Technology, although additional courses are required to meet prerequisites for veterinary school. Veterinary school admission is based on: undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA), results of the Veterinary College Admissions Test (VCAT), and/or Graduate Record Exam (GRE), letters of recommendation from faculty and other personal references, a personal interview (if requested), and off-campus experience in community service or in the veterinary field.

Requirements for entrance to veterinary schools vary considerably. Most schools require at least two semesters of biology, general/inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and calculus. Some schools also require biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, molecular cell biology, statistics, English composition and literature, and electives in humanities and social sciences. Interested students should consult with one of the pre-professional advisors. The pre-professional advisor will help the student with the selection of appropriate undergraduate courses, and offer advice about preparation for the VCAT exam and applying to veterinary schools.