Veterinary Degrees Online

The Animal and Veterinary Sciences curriculum is designed to provide a broad biological training as well as a thorough understanding of the breeding, diseases, genetics, management, nutrition and physiology of large animals, and laboratory and companion animals. Animal and Veterinary Sciences courses also serve as elective opportunities for students in other agricultural and life sciences, and in other colleges. This department administers the Pre-Veterinary program and provides an opportunity for students to be certified to teach high school biology and agriculture.
Career Opportunities
Because a basic knowledge in animal sciences is fundamental to successful work in many job situations, the curriculum offers a wide choice of electives so students may adapt their courses of study to meet special professional interests or needs. Through the proper use of options, students can prepare for admission to graduate school or veterinary college, to teach sciences in secondary school, to pursue technical sales and service work in animal agriculture, to become laboratory animal technicians, or to develop such animal production enterprises as dairy or livestock farms. Superior students should consider continuing their studies at the graduate level.
Recent graduates from this program can be found in the food processing industry, cooperative extension, feed and drug sales, agribusiness loan organizations, agricultural consulting companies, dairy production units, humane care associations, laboratory animal care facilities, commercial biological laboratories and as practicing veterinarians.

Colleges of Veterinary Medicine expect incoming students to have a broad background in the biological and physical sciences with students completing at least three courses in biology including general biology, genetics, microbiology as the most requested, two semesters of both general chemistry and organic chemistry, as well as at least one semester of biochemistry, and two semesters of general physics. A course in animal nutrition is required by nearly half of the schools. Bethany College courses that satisfy the usual requirements are: Biology 100, 180, 290, and 343; Chemistry 111 -11 2, 221-222, and 351-352; Physics 201-202; and General Science 473 and 474.

Other typical course requirements include at least one math class and two
semesters of English composition and literature. Another major requirement
is documented experience with animals and work with veterinarians. Some
large animal experience may be obtained by enrolling in General Science
293. Students can gain valuable experience working with area veterinarians.
Students who can claim West Virginia residency status may obtain a position as a
contract student at one of three schools: Ohio State University; University of Georgia;
and Tuskegee Institute. There are at present 13 contract seats among the three schools.

Eligible students must complete the application for the West Virginia Contract Seat, which can be obtained from the Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at West Virginia University when starting the application process for Veterinary School. All students interested in attending veterinary school should review the admission requirements of any veterinary college they may likely attend as requirements among the colleges vary widely.

The University of St. Francis offers excellent undergraduate preparation for veterinary school. USF does not offer a specific “pre-vet” major. Few colleges in the United States do because there is not a specific major required for admission to colleges of veterinary medicine. USF does offer a biology degree with a pre-veterinary track for students interested in pursuing careers in veterinary medicine. Therefore, USF students complete a core of courses which prepare them for entrance into veterinary college and still enjoy the freedom and flexibility to design a curriculum in advanced science course which are appropriate to their interests.

Colleges of veterinary medicine are looking for students who have completed a core of specific course work in biology, chemistry, math and physics and who have performed at a high academic level. Veterinary colleges may also require volunteer work or other specific types of clinical experience outside the classroom. In addition, coursework required in the humanities and social sciences may vary by school.

All veterinary schools require a minimum of two years of pre-veterinary college study for entrance. One-third of the successful applicants have acquired academic degrees prior to entering veterinary school. Science courses required by most veterinary schools:
BIOL 159/160, 161, 370/371, 430
CHEM 120, 121, 240, 340
MATH 180, 220
PHYS 250, 251

The Veterinary Aptitude Test (VAT) and/or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may be required prior to acceptance by some veterinary schools.