OLIVER GARDEN
Dean |
1102 Veterinary Medicine Building
TELEPHONE 225-578-9900
FAX 225-578-9916
WEBSITE www.lsu.edu/vetmed |
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Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences
ALEXANDER MURASHOV
Professor and Department Head
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2510 Veterinary Medicine Building
TELEPHONE 225-578-7581
FAX 225-578-9895
WEBSITE www.lsu.edu/vetmed/cbs |
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Department of Pathobiological Sciences
KONSTANTIN KOUSOULAS
Professor and Department Head
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3315 Veterinary Medicine Building
TELEPHONE 225-578-9684
FAX 225-578-9701
WEBSITE www.lsu.edu/vetmed/pbs
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Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
COLIN F. MITCHELL
Professor and Department Head
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2305 Veterinary Medicine Building
TELEPHONE 225-578-9551
FAX 225-578-9559
WEBSITE www.lsu.edu/vetmed/vcs |
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Office of Admissions & Student Success
BONNIE BOUDREAUX
Senior Associate Dean for Student Success; Professor of Medical Oncology
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1213 Veterinary Medicine Building
TELEPHONE 225-578-9537
FAX 225-578-9546
WEBSITE www.lsu.edu/vetmed/dvm_admissions |
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Office of Admissions & Student Success
GRETCHEN DELCAMBRE
Assistant Dean for Student Outreach & Veterinary Admissions
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Office of Research & Graduate Education
TAMMY DUGAS
Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Education
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1102 Veterinary Medicine Building
TELEPHONE 225-578-9900
FAX 225-578-9916
WEBSITE www.lsu.edu/vetmed |
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LSU Diagnostics Laboratory
ALMA ROY
Director of Diagnostics
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Veterinary Teaching Hospital
PATRICIA QUEIROZ
Interim Director
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Office of Outreach and Strategic Initiatives
BUNNIE CANNON
Assistant Dean for Outreach and Strategic Initiatives
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Office of Staff & Faculty Advancement
BRITTA LEISE
Associate Dean for Staff & Faculty Advancement
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Office of Organizational Health and Mentorship
HENRY GREEN
Associate Dean for Organizational Health and Mentorship
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Office of Finance & Administration
ERNIE TANOOS
Senior Assistant Dean for Finance & Administrative Services
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Office of Strategic Communications
THOMAS ROONEY
Assistant Dean for Strategic Communications
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Programs
- Veterinary Medicine, DVM
- Biomedical and Veterinary Medical Sciences, Ph.D.
- Biomedical and Veterinary Medical Sciences, M.S.
- Veterinary Medical and Biomedical Sciences-Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Certificate
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To access the Bulletin for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Classes of 2027 and 2028, click here.
To access the Bulletin for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Class of 2029 and beyond, click here.
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine admitted its first students to the professional curriculum during the 1973-74 academic year. The original entering class consisted of 36 students, all residents of Louisiana. Current class size is between 120 and 200 students.
The school participates in the Southern Regional Education Board’s (SREB) program for education in veterinary medicine. Training contracts negotiated through SREB provide a limited number of entering spaces for qualified candidates from Arkansas. A limited number of entering spaces is also allocated for highly qualified nonresident applicants under the school’s special admission policy.
The AVMA Council on Education (COE) is the national accrediting agency for veterinary medical education in the United States. The AVMA COE assures that minimum standards in veterinary medical education are met by all AVMA-accredited colleges or schools of veterinary medicine, and that students enrolled in those colleges or schools receive an education that will prepare them for entry-level positions in the profession. The LSU program has met all essential requirements for an acceptable college or school as established by the AVMA COE. Full accreditation was granted in 1977 and reaffirmed in 1984, 1991, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2012, and 2020.
The School of Veterinary Medicine offers the professional degree, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Interdepartmental Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in biomedical and veterinary medical sciences are offered through the Graduate School.
The Professional DVM Program in Veterinary Medicine
Admission Requirements
Students contemplating a career in veterinary medicine should acquire a sound foundation in the biological and physical sciences and a general knowledge of the arts and humanities in both high school and college. In addition, they should be motivated by a respect for animals, a sincere desire to serve the public, a propensity for the biological and medical sciences, and a deep interest in promotion of the health of animal and human populations. They must have a high aptitude for scientific study and must possess an excellent moral and ethical character.
Candidates for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree must complete a minimum of 66 semester credit hours, including 44 required semester credits, of pre-veterinary prerequisite coursework and four years of professional training. The pre-veterinary requirements may be completed at LSU or any other accredited institution offering courses of the quality and content of those prescribed in the LSU General Catalog. Successful completion of a pre-veterinary program does not guarantee admission to the school for professional training.
Scholastic achievement is measured by recent, high academic performance in advanced biomedical and/or animal science courses. Admission to the program is contingent on completion of all required coursework with a “C-” or better and submission of all in-progress transcripts from the application cycle to demonstrate no severe negative changes (i.e.,D’s, F’s, I’s, or W’s) in academic performance. Requirements are not waived in lieu of work experience.
Admission Procedures
The following information pertains only to the professional DVM program. Students interested in the MS and/or PhD programs should contact the LSU Graduate School for more information and refer to “The Graduate Program in Veterinary Medicine” below:
The Faculty Committee on Admissions is responsible for determining the application procedure and for selecting candidates entering the professional DVM curriculum. Admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine is granted only for the fall semester of each school year and only on a full-time basis. A prescribed number of student spaces is planned for each class. Transfer applicants may be considered for admission.
Formal application is completed through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). Application materials with all supporting credentials are required by VMCAS deadlines. This includes submission of the LSU Vet Med Supplemental Application housed within VMCAS and payment of all fees through VMCAS and LSU by posted deadlines. Application materials received after the given deadlines will not be accepted and will result in the applicant being removed from consideration. Reapplicants must complete all application requirements for each application cycle as no materials will be carried over from previous years.
Academic and non-academic qualifications are considered in a non-scored, contextual review process. Official college transcripts submitted through the VMCAS are examined to determine scholastic achievement in light of other application materials. The Faculty Committee on Admissions will additionally assess applicants for their ability to demonstrate the following:
- a dedication to and broad understanding of the veterinary profession.
- academic excellence and a commitment to advancing their professional medical knowledge and competence.
- potential to contribute unique perspectives, skills, and ideas to the veterinary community.
- potential to better lives through public service, education, and discovery.
- LSU Vet Med institutional values of innovation, compassion, and integrity.
These items should be demonstrated through academic history, work experience, familiarity with animals, reference information, personal essays, and other required application materials. Students admitted and enrolled in the school must be capable of satisfactorily meeting all requirements of the curriculum in veterinary medicine.
The Faculty Committee on Admissions reserves the right to decide annually whether to conduct interviews for Louisiana, Arkansas, Puerto Rico, or out of state candidates. A candidate must participate in the interview, if held, to be considered for an offer to the program.
Visit the LSU Vet Med’s Office of Admissions website at www.lsu.edu/vetmed/dvm_admissions for more information on admission requirements, residency, classifications, minimum prerequisites, admissions procedures, statistics, important dates and deadlines, and more.
Minimum Prerequisites for Admission (66 sem. hrs.)
A minimum of 66 total semester hours is required for admission into the professional DVM program. This includes 44 semester credit hours of prerequisite courses. A bachelor’s degree is not required for admission. Prerequisite coursework should be completed within ten calendar years from the time of completion to DVM matriculation. In progress required courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester prior to DVM matriculation. All prerequisite coursework must be completed for credit and with a grade of “C-” or better at a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) accredited institution to satisfy the requirement. Applicants who have completed courses at a foreign institution must submit World Education Services (WES) course-by-course evaluated transcripts.
Required prerequisite courses include:
Biological Science, eight sem. hrs. in introductory zoology or general biology at a level appropriate for premedical students. LSU courses–BIOL 1201 , BIOL 1208 , BIOL 1202 , BIOL 1209 .
General Chemistry, eight sem. hrs. in general, inorganic chemistry with laboratories at a level for science or engineering majors. LSU courses–CHEM 1201 , CHEM 1202 , CHEM 1212 .
Organic Chemistry, three sem. hrs. covering aliphatic and aromatic compounds with an emphasis on the biological aspects of organic chemistry. LSU course–CHEM 2060 , CHEM 2261
Biochemistry, three sem. hrs. basic concepts in the nature and physiological uses of natural substances. Must require Organic a prerequisite. LSU course–BIOL 2083 .
Microbiology, four sem. hrs. including a laboratory in microbiology at a level appropriate for pre-medical students. LSU course - BIOL 2051
Mathematics, six sem. hrs. at the college algebra/trigonometry level or higher. LSU courses– MATH 1021 , MATH 1022 , MATH 1510 , MATH 1530 , MATH 1540 , MATH 1550 , MATH 4056 . Statistics credits can satisfy.
Physics, six sem. hrs. at a level for science majors and must include mechanics, heat, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, and topics in modern physics. LSU courses–PHYS 2001 , PHYS 2002 .
English Composition, six sem. hrs. in 6 semester credits of English composition or writing intensive coursework. Speech/public speaking will not substitute. Freshman orientation seminar will not substitute. LSU courses–ENGL 1000 , ENGL 1001 , ENGL 2000 .
The selection of elective courses in a pre-professional curriculum should reflect the interests and objectives of the candidate. There is no preferred major. Strong academic performance in advanced biomedical courses is encouraged to prepare the candidate for the professional DVM curriculum as well as demonstrate ability to manage foundational material.
Students who are enrolled at accredited institutions other than LSU must determine that courses taken conform in content and quality to descriptions contained in the latest issue of the LSU General Catalog. If there are any questions regarding equivalency of courses, please contact the LSU Vet Med’s Office of Admissions by e-mail (svmadmissions@lsu.edu) with their course information.
The Graduate Program in Biomedical and Veterinary Medical Sciences
The School of Veterinary Medicine offers advanced studies in a variety of contemporary biomedical sciences leading to a Certificate or an MS or PhD degree (graduate academic programs) and specialized advanced professional training in one or more clinical specialties of veterinary medicine (graduate professional programs). Specific research training opportunities vary in each of the three departments and are summarized below by department. All aspects of the graduate academic program are in compliance with current regulations and requirements of the LSU Graduate School. The school’s three departments have some additional distinct requirements. Graduate professional programs in some clinical sciences, pathology, and laboratory animal medicine may also require completion of a graduate degree.
Admission
Applications and supporting materials for all graduate studies must be submitted through the online application site for the LSU Graduate School. Students must meet the acceptance criteria outlined by the LSU Graduate School including an overall GPA of at least 3.0 of a 4.0 scale. Likewise, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for all graduate work completed. Foreign nationals who do not speak English as a first language must have a sufficient TOEFL or IELTS score (see LSU Graduate School Admissions Requirements for details). Successful applicants will have an adequate understanding of STEM fields such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, mathematics, and microbiology. The applicants should have a personal statement describing how their background prepares them for graduate study as well as what are their research interests and career goals. Familiarity with the research ongoing in the labs of LSU Vet Med graduate faculty is encouraged in order to align the interests of the applicants with faculty who are currently accepting students. Before applying, applicants should inquire with the department(s) of interest for information regarding specific requirements that may not be listed here. Applicants for combined residency/MS programs must apply through the Veterinary Intern & Residency Matching Program. Candidates for the combined residency/MS programs must have a DVM or equivalent degree; must have completed a rotating internship or equivalent training. To qualify, applicants must satisfy all criteria for residency training and Graduate School admission.
Applications for admission are accepted and evaluated by the department at any time, but applicants are not evaluated for admission or financial assistance until completed application materials have been received, including test scores, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation. Applicants must adhere to the application deadlines established by the Graduate School.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available to all admitted PhD students, whereas financial aid is rarely awarded to MS students, excluding resident/MS students. The salary for combined residency/MS programs is listed on the Veterinary Internship & Residency Matching Program website. For graduate students not enrolled in a residency program, financial aid consists of research or teaching assistantship stipends or fellowships. The amount of the award is at LSU rate for Ph.D. students and can be on a 9 or 12 months basis. Special fellowships and tuition exemption may also be available. A student should contact the department for more information on available assistantship positions. To ensure consideration for financial aid, all application materials should be submitted in accordance with deadlines established by the LSU Graduate School and preferably one year prior to anticipated entry.
Research Facilities
Research facilities include laboratories, instrument rooms, walk-in cold rooms, and rooms for shared equipment, animal treatment, cell culture, and storage. The School of Veterinary Medicine operates the Inhalation Research Facility; the Histology Core; the Equine Medication Surveillance Laboratory; the Gene Probes & Expressions Systems Laboratory; LSU Flow Cytometry Core Facility; Veterinary Computer Resources; Veterinary Medicine Library; Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine; Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory; the Advanced Imaging Facilities – comprising the Microscopy Center, Small Animal Imaging Lab, and the MicroCT Lab; and the facilities of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The hospital supports well-equipped specialty services in anesthesia; bird, zoo and exotic animal medicine; companion animal medicine; cardiology; companion animal soft tissue and orthopedic surgery; dermatology; emergency and critical care; equine medicine; equine surgery; food animal medicine; integrative medicine; medical oncology; ophthalmology; radiation oncology; diagnostic imaging; shelter medicine and theriogenology.
Graduate Academic Programs
The graduate academic program in Biomedical and Veterinary Medical Sciences offers both the MS and PhD degrees, specializing in a variety of research areas, all requiring a thesis or dissertation and Graduate Certificates that are not research-based.
All aspects of the graduate program in Biomedical and Veterinary Medical Sciences (e.g., hours required, composition of graduate advisory committees, general and comprehensive final examinations, etc.) are in compliance with the current “General Graduate School Regulations ” and “Requirements for Advanced Degrees .”