Minimum Prerequisites for Admission (66 sem. hrs.)
Pre-veterinary students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with admission requirements for the professional program at the School of Veterinary Medicine. Students should seek knowledgeable pre-veterinary counselors and/or advice from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Admission Office (admissions@vetmed.lsu.edu) when enrolled in pre-professional programs other than at LSU. A minimum of 66 total semester hours is required for consideration for admission into the professional DVM program. This must include the 46 semester credit hours of the courses listed below. More specific details regarding course descriptions can be at the School of Veterinary Medicine Admissions website at www.vetmed.lsu.edu/admissions.
Biological Science, twelve sem. hrs. • Must include at least eight sem. hrs. (two-semester course sequence with laboratory) in introductory zoology or general biology at a level appropriate for premedical students. Must also include at least four sem. hrs. (one-semester course with laboratory) in microbiology at a level appropriate for pre-medical students. LSU courses–BIOL 1201 , BIOL 1208 , BIOL 1202 , BIOL 1209 , and BIOL 2051 .
General Chemistry, eight sem. hrs. • Must include laboratory and must be at a level for science or engineering majors. LSU courses– CHEM 1201 , CHEM 1202 , CHEM 1212 .
Organic Chemistry, three sem. hrs. • Must cover aliphatic and aromatic compounds with an emphasis on the biological aspects of organic chemistry. LSU course–CHEM 2060 .
Biochemistry, three sem. hrs. • Must include three sem. hrs. of basic concepts and an introduction to the nature and physiological uses of natural substances. LSU course–BIOL 2083 .
Mathematics, five sem. hrs. • Must be at the college algebra/trigonometry level or higher. LSU courses–MATH 1021 , MATH 1022 . Students who qualify for more advanced math may substitute MATH 1023 (5 sem. hrs.) for MATH 1021 and MATH 1022 .
Physics, six sem. hrs. • Must be 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. • Must include six sem. hrs. of English composition. LSU courses–ENGL 1001 , 1002, and/or ENGL 2000 .
Speech Communications, three sem. hrs. • Must include three sem. hrs. of a public speaking or interpersonal communication course. LSU courses–CMST 2010 , CMST 2060 , or CMST 1061 .
LSU students in the College of Agriculture should contact his/her undergraduate academic advisor to ensure that the speech communication course taken meets the student’s degree curriculum requirements.
In selecting the remaining required courses for admission to the professional program, applicants should consider the following:
- The objective of the DVM program is to offer a well-rounded curriculum in veterinary medical education enabling the graduate to select from a wide range of professional opportunities. The selection of elective courses in the pre-professional curriculum should reflect the interests and objectives of the candidate. Potential applicants should plan their programs with the recognition that these elective courses provide the only formal opportunity in the college years to obtain a broad general education.
- Applicants who have completed advanced preparatory courses in high school are, in all probability, qualified to complete the prerequisites in four semesters. These students are encouraged to take higher level university courses when so permitted. Applicants who are inadequately prepared may find it advantageous to complete the pre-veterinary requirements over a longer period.
- Although the primary objective of the applicant may be to complete the pre-veterinary requirements, those who have not previously obtained a baccalaureate degree are encouraged to plan for alternative career possibilities though a degree-granting program that has similar course requirements. Several LSU curricula include all of the minimum mandatory requirements. Many other curricula that do not specify all of the requirements allow them as electives. Because not all applicants will gain admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine on the first attempt, they should continue in degree programs while making themselves more competitive in subsequent years. Some students may elect to complete a baccalaureate degree in order to pursue graduate training during the first and second summers of the professional program.
- Since applicants must take the GRE in the fall preceding application or earlier, those students following a four-semester program must complete this test only four weeks after beginning the sophomore year. Appropriate preparation and the selection of a curriculum that contributes to an acceptable score are strongly suggested.
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, which can be obtained upon request from the LSU Office of the University Registrar ($3 per copy). If there are any questions regarding equivalency of courses, please contact the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Student Affairs Office by e-mail (admissions@vetmed.lsu.edu) or telephone (225-578-9537).
All requirements must be completed by the end of the spring semester of the year in which admission is sought. All application materials must be received by the appropriate deadlines. Application materials received after the given deadlines will not be accepted, and will result in the applicant being removed from consideration. Please visit the School of Veterinary Medicine’s admissions website at www.vetmed.lsu.edu/admissions for application deadlines.
Information concerning LSU’s pre-veterinary medicine program is contained in this LSU General Catalog or may be obtained from the dean of the College of Agriculture.