2-Year Pathway to Veterinary Medicine

A four-year undergraduate degree is not required to gain admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine. Students are eligible to apply once they fulfill the admissions requirements. By applying and being admitted early, a student could save 1-2 years of undergraduate tuition, housing, and other expenses and would be able to start their career sooner. This guide can help plan the time spent in undergraduate studies so that the coursework required for application to the College of Veterinary Medicine can be completed in as little as four semesters. Students are encouraged to consult the CVM admissions office when considering this option.

*Please note: Prerequisite have strict guidelines. Please find more information here. 

Download PDF of Prerequisites

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General College/University Courses

YEAR 1
Fall Semester 1
Biology I + Lab
Chemistry I + Lab
English
Arts and Humanities

Spring Semester 1
Biology II + Lab
Chemistry II
Arts and Humanities
English
Elective

YEAR 2
Fall Semester 2
Organic Chemistry I + Lab
Physics I + Lab    
Genetics
Anatomy

Spring Semester 2
Biochemistry
Speech
Elective
Elective

There is flexibility for placement of the arts, humanities, English and elective classes. Most courses can be taken at a community college with the possible exception of biochemistry and genetics.

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Iowa State University Courses

YEAR 1
Fall Semester 1
Chem 177 and 177L
Biol 211 and 211L
Engl 150
Arts and Humanities

Spring Semester 1
Chem 178
Biol 212 and 212L
Engl 250
Elective

YEAR 2
Fall Semester 2
Chem 331 and 331L
Phys 131X/131LX or Phys 231X/231LX or Phys 115/115L
BIOL 313, GENETICS 320 
or ANSC 352
Anatomy (BMS 329 
or AN S 214 or 
Biol 155, 255, 335)

Spring Semester 2
BBMB (301, 316 or 420)
Arts and Humanities
SP CM 212
Elective
Elective

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Advanced Placement

• AP Biology and Chemistry - Scores of 4-5 on each of these meets the General Biology & lab requirement and the General Chemistry & lab requirement for veterinary medicine.
• AP English for English 150 or with 24 ACT, 550 SAT can take English 250 and get credit for both if the person earns a C or better.
• AP Physics 1 or Physics C-mechanics – Scores of 4-5 on this exam meets the General Physics 1 and lab requirement for veterinary medicine.
• Social sciences, humanities, and electives may also be completed with AP exams or taken at a community college while in high school.

If a student completes all of these above courses in high school, then:

YEAR 1
Fall Semester 1
Organic Chemistry I + Lab
Arts and Humanities
Speech    

Spring Semester 1
Genetics
Arts and Humanities

YEAR 2
Fall Semester 2
Anatomy 
Biochemistry     
Elective
Elective

Spring Semester 2
Students are encouraged to continue taking courses to work toward a degree