The road to becoming a veterinarian can look a little different for everyone. All practicing veterinarians must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DMV) degree at an accredited school. These are competitive programs that typically take four years to complete.  

DVM programs often require applicants to have earned a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. If you’re able to find a school that piques your interest and offers a veterinary science, animal science, or zoology bachelor’s track, those can appear to be like obvious options. But the truth is, those majors aren’t commonly offered at most schools.  

So, what pre-vet majors should you consider in preparation for veterinary school? Read on to explore your options. 

Common undergrad majors for veterinarians 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that veterinary programs won’t always require specific majors of their undergraduate applicants, but they are typically looking for pre-vet students who have met certain prerequisites. Such programs may prioritize applicants who have taken a range of science courses, such as biology, chemistry, and animal science. Veterinary schools will also often require math, humanities, and social sciences courses.  

In order to meet the necessary vet school prerequisites, these are some common options of majors for veterinarians:  

• General science 
• Biology 
• Chemistry 
• Anatomy 
• Physiology 
• Mathematics 

Because undergraduate degrees in veterinary science are not all that common, St. George’s University (SGU) actually designed a 7-year DVM pathway specifically for pre-vet students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. High-performing students who are ready to prepare for a career in veterinary medicine can qualify if they meet one of the following criteria:  

• Has a high school diploma with a strong GPA & SAT score 
• Passes in GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) Ordinary Levels in mathematics, science, biology, chemistry, English, and at least one other subject

Students in the 7-year pathway can become eligible to earn a Bachelor of Science degree on their way to completing their doctorate with this unique dual-degree track, which includes three years of undergraduate pre-vet courses followed by the traditional 4-year DVM program.  

Begin your path toward veterinary medicine 

For those who are passionate about the field, there is a range of different ways to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, with a number of pre-vet majors to choose from. The key when deciding which undergraduate degree to earn is to be sure it will help you gain the knowledge and skills you’ll need to gain acceptance into vet school. 

Learn more about what to expect from the veterinary school application process by reviewing our article “The Vet School Requirements Aspiring Animal Doctors Need to Know.”