Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine
At South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University, students in the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine gain hands-on experience, personal attention through small class sizes, and direct access to varied animal systems. This collaborative DVM program is designed to prepare veterinarians who are ready to lead in animal health, protect public health and serve rural communities, especially through careers in food animal and mixed animal practice.
About the Program
The Division of the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine delivers a multidisciplinary veterinary education. The program is offered through a formal cooperative agreement between South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University and the .
Once students complete the required preveterinary coursework, they may apply for admission to the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine. Students admitted into the program complete the first two years of their veterinary education at SDSU in Brookings. They then transfer to the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine in St. Paul for the final two years.
Over the course of this four-year professional program, students gain the knowledge, skills and clinical experience needed to become successful veterinarians. Faculty from both SDSU and the University of Minnesota are nationally and internationally recognized for their excellence in teaching and research.
The agricultural landscape of South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ and Minnesota provides students with extensive opportunities to engage with food animals and livestock production systems. While the program prepares graduates for a wide range of careers across the veterinary profession, it emphasizes food animal and mixed animal practice.
Jan. 22, 2025 – Veterinary Medical College Application Service application opens.
May 8, 2025 – Program designation available in Veterinary Medical College Application Service.
Sept. 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EST – Veterinary Medical College Application Service application deadline/application processing fee deadline.
January 2026 – Interview offers extended, application status updated.
Mid-January to early February – Interviews held.
Early to mid-February – Offers of admission extended.
April 15, 2026 – American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges acceptance deadline.
August 2026 – Classes begin.
Veterinary Medical College Application Service applications for the Class of 2030 (starting fall 2026) are now open. The deadline is Sept. 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The integrated Doctor of Veterinary Medicine curriculum uses active learning and builds the relationship between the basic sciences and the clinical cases graduates will see in their practices.
During the first three years of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, students focus on the study of the normal animal, the pathogenesis of diseases and the prevention, alleviation and clinical therapy of diseases. The program concludes with 13 months of clinical rotations at the University of Minnesota , where students learn methods of veterinary care and develop skills needed for professional practice. Students can choose from more than 65 rotations, ranging from apiculture to urgent care. The fourth year includes up to 12 weeks of externship experiences at off-campus sites of the student’s choice.
Year 1 Fall
| Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Jackrabbit Orientation and Leadership Experience I | 1 |
| Microscopic Anatomy I | 1 |
| Microscopic Anatomy I Lab | 1 |
| Integrated Biochemistry and Physiology | 7 |
| Anatomy I | 2 |
| Anatomy I Lab | 2 |
| Clinical Skills I | 1 |
| Professional Development I | 1 |
| Critical Scientific Reading | 1 |
| Immunology | 2 |
| Rural Veterinary Practice I | 1 |
| Preventative Medicine | 4 |
Year 1 Spring
| Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Professional Development II | 1 |
| Anatomy II | 2 |
| Anatomy II Lab | 2 |
| Clinical Skills II | 1 |
| Physiology II | 4 |
| Basic Pathology | 2 |
| Agents of Disease I | 4 |
| Microscopic Anatomy II | 1 |
| Microscopic Anatomy II Lab | 1 |
| Clinical Correlations I | 1 |
| Veterinary Genetics and Genomics | 1 |
| Nontraditional Pets | 1 |
| Rural Veterinary Practice II | 1 |
| Thrive Through Life | 4 |
| Masters Research Problem/Project: PPVM | 1 |
Year 2 Fall
| Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Agents of Disease II | 5 |
| Pharmacology I | 2 |
| Systemic Pathology | 5 |
| Clinical Pathology I | 3 |
| Clinical Skills III | 1 |
| Clinical Epidemiology | 2 |
| Public Health | 2 |
| Small Animal Medicine I | 2 |
| Diagnostic Laboratory Methods | 1 |
| Diagnostic Laboratory Methods Lab | 1 |
| Large Animal Medicine I | 2 |
| Professional Development III | 1 |
| Rural Veterinary Practice III | 1 |
| Masters Research Problem/Project: PPVM | 1 |
Year 2 Spring
| Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Small Animal Medicine II | 5 |
| Small Animal Surgery I | 2 |
| Small Animal Surgery I Lab | 1 |
| Large Animal Medicine II | 3 |
| Large Animal Surgery I | 3 |
| Veterinary Imaging I | 3 |
| Pharmacology II | 2 |
| Clinical Skills IV | 1 |
| Clinical Pathology II | 2 |
| Clinical Pathology II Lab | 1 |
| Avian Core | 2 |
| Dermatology | 2 |
| Clinical Correlations | 1 |
| Professional Development IV | 1 |
| Rural Veterinary Practice IV | 1 |
| Masters Research Problem/Project: PPVM | 1 |
Years 3 and 4, including clinical rotations, are taught by the .
Licensure
Students in the SDSU Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine will earn their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. This degree qualifies graduates to take the veterinary licensing exam in every U.S. state, provided they pass the national exam and meet each state’s nonacademic requirements (such as background checks).
To practice veterinary medicine, DVM graduates must pass both national and state board licensing exams. The national exam is called the and is offered in the fall and the spring. Those wishing to practice in South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ must also take the licensing exam.
Licensing requirements may vary by state and country. For information about licensure in other states, visit the website. Be sure to check with the licensing board in any state where you plan to practice for the most up-to-date requirements.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a dynamic quality-assurance process that closely monitors and responds to ongoing changes at accredited colleges. Accredited colleges are required to report substantive changes to the American Veterinary Medical Association Council of Education and receive approval prior to implementation of those changes. In addition, accredited colleges must submit compliance reports annually or more frequently, as directed. The quality assurance provided by the Council of Education is dependent on continuous monitoring and enforcement. ()
Accreditation was achieved through a thorough self-study in a focused accreditation site visit (University of Minnesota/SDSU Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine) in 2023.
The following links describe the accreditation process, documentation of accreditation and ongoing standards as described by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council of Education.
