Purdue University

The veterinary profession is a diverse, exciting and rewarding occupation that allows for pursuits in a variety of fields including community health, food resource management, wildlife preservation, marine biology and many others. It allows you to take your passions and apply them to advance both animal and human health. If you are ready to explore what it takes to become a veterinarian, check out our DVM Program for requirements and additional information including an early admission program for high achieving high school seniors. Whether you are in high school, middle school, or grade school, it's never too early see what drives you. For high school and middle school students interested in a week long summer camp to experience the world of veterinary medicine, we host Boiler Vet Camp every summer.

Are you interested in a fast paced, medical science-based profession? A profession centered on the health and welfare of animals? A career providing you the opportunity to educate the public on the human-animal bond and support the One Health initiative? If this sounds like your passion, then Veterinary Nursing is the profession for you. The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine offers several educational pathways for you to achieve your goal.

The Purdue Veterinary Nursing program is a science-based curriculum and is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).  Educational pathways include Bachelor and Associate degree options.

On Campus Education

We offer a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing as our premier program.  This option is recommended for students who do not have a previous degree.  It is a full-time, undergraduate program and successful applicants must meet competitive admission criteria.

We also offer the Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS).  This option is recommended for students with a previous degree.  The AAS degree is a requirement to become credentialed as a veterinary nurse/technician.

Learn more about this on campus program & view its admissions requirements >>

Distance Learning

For those students who cannot attend on-campus, we offer an on-line Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Nursing.  The curriculum is designed to allow a student to gain the knowledge, information, and the skills necessary to practice as a veterinary nurse. This program is for students who are self-directed, self-motivated, and self-disciplined. This option allows students to take classes on a part-time basis while maintaining their current residence and employment.

Learn more about this distance-learning program & view admission requirements >>

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine offers opportunities for both current undergraduates and those recently completing their B.S. or B.A. degrees (post-baccalaureate) to explore, acquire skills, and develop their academic and professional path for a successful career in biomedical and biomedical-related research or veterinary medicine.

Each of our academic departments also offer graduate program opportunities:

Purdue PREP for Translational Biomedical Sciences (post-baccalaureate students)

The Purdue PREP is a one-year program funded by the National Institute of Health that aims to prepare recent college graduates from backgrounds underrepresented in the biomedical sciences for entry into competitive PhD, DVM-PhD, or MD-PhD programs. Participants (PREP Scholars) will have the opportunity to perform a full year of hypothesis-driven research with a PREP Faculty Research Mentor and enhance their skill set in research aptitude, academics, professional development and career planning, and resiliency.

Visit the Purdue PREP for additional information. 

Veterinary Research Scholars Summer Program

The Summer Research Program provides an opportunity for veterinary students and undergraduate students interested in veterinary medicine to explore careers in biomedical research by engaging in a mentored research project through formal and informal interactions with scientists.

Visit the Veterinary Research Scholars Summer Program for additional Information.

Vet Up!

The Vet Up! program is a tripartite program that emphasizes preparing underrepresented students for successful entry into a Doctor of Veterinary program.

Vet Up! Champions

The Vet Up! Champions program targets high school students, freshman and sophomores in college, and adult learners who are seeking an alternative career, but have not as of yet attained a baccalaureate degree. Vet Up! Champions is a 12-month online program. Students from around the nation interact with Purdue's faculty and Veterinarians in the area. Not only does the program expose students to the field of veterinary medicine, but students are invited to campus for two days in the summer for hands-on animal experience.

Visit Vet Up! Champions for additional information.

Vet Up! College

The Vet Up! College program targets underrepresented college juniors and seniors. It is a 6-week residential program. Students live the life of a DVM student, take courses, receive study strategies, and can apply them to various assessments throughout the summer. Students also receive over 300 hours of hands-on animal experience under the supervision of a veterinarian. A diverse pool of over 30 PVM faculty serves as instructors, mentors, and advisors to student participants during the summer. The goal of the program is to prepare underrepresented students for successful entry into the DVM program by teaching life skills, study strategies, providing students with hands-on animal experience, and by providing students with tools for success both to and beyond the degree. Additionally, if participants in the program meet the minimum gpa requirements, they are eligible to interview during the summer for PVM's early admissions program into the DVM program.

Visit Vet Up! College for additional information.

Vet Up DVM Scholars

The DVM Scholar program is a scholarship reserved for students who are accepted to Purdue who have participated in the Vet Up! program. Students receive mentorship support throughout their four years and receive $8,000 in their 1st and 4th years of the program. Students also receive up to an additional $2,600 to study abroad.

Visit Vet Up! DVM Scholars for additional information.

At Purdue Veterinary Medicine, we offer the opportunity for students to pursue combined DVM-MS and DVM-PhD degrees. In addition, PVM offers the Clinical and Translational Research Graduate Program and partners with the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering to offer the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program.

Each of our academic departments also offer graduate program opportunities:

Basic Medical Sciences

Programs with research emphasis on signal transduction in development and oncogenesis, cell adhesion molecules in development and oncogenesis, musculoskeletal atrophy and countermeasures, ovarian follicle development, neural regeneration, implantable therapeutic or diagnostic devices and application of computers in veterinary education. Visit the Basic Medical Sciences graduate program website for additional information.

Comparative Pathobiology

Programs with research emphasis on epidemiology and public health, microbiology and immunology, clinical and anatomic pathology and laboratory animal medicine. Visit the Comparative Pathobiology graduate program website for additional information.

Veterinary Clinical Sciences

Programs with research emphasis on clinical and translational research. Visit the Visit the Veterinary Clinical Sciences graduate program website for additional information including the VCS Research Specialties page page for a complete list.

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine offers post-DVM students the opportunity to further their veterinary skills through internship and residency programs.

Residencies

Residencies, designed to provide advanced training and to satisfy requirements for certification as specialists, are offered in a variety of clinical areas by the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS). Successful completion of an internship or equivalent practice experience is required prior to admission in a residency program. A residency consists of three years of clinical study, research, teaching, and formal coursework. It is designed to provide the resident with an intensive clinical experience under the guidance of the clinical faculty. In conjunction with the residency program, a graduate degree or clinical investigator program must be pursued. Refer to each specialty for specific requirements and opportunities.

Internships

Internships are offered by the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital and are a 12 1/2-month clinical program providing advanced training in medicine and surgery. The program is designed to qualify the individual for entry into an approved residency program leading to board certification in a recognized veterinary specialty.

We offer continuing education programs, both in person and online, for veterinarians and veterinary nurses in a variety of formats including workshops, lectures, conferences and symposia. We even offer learning opportunities for the animal owning public and scientists in the veterinary field. Learn more about these programs at the Office of Lifelong Learning website.