Pre-Veterinary Program

About the Pre-Veterinary Program

Arcadia University offers several routes for completion of the requirements for admission to schools of veterinary medicine. A major in Biology or Chemistry is most commonly pursued by students interested in veterinary medicine, but veterinary programs will accept students with excellent records in other majors, provided they have adequate preparation in the basic sciences and mathematics.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission to veterinary school. The GRE may be taken in the spring or summer of the junior year or the fall of the senior year for students who plan to enter veterinary school immediately following graduation.

Minimum Recommended Courses

Most schools of veterinary medicine recommend the following STEM courses:

• BI 101 General Biology I (4 Credits)
• BI 102 General Biology II (4 Credits)

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• BI 211 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology (4 Credits)

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• CH 101 General Chemistry I (4 Credits) and
• CH 102 General Chemistry II (4 Credits)

• or

• CH 111 Conceptual Chemistry I (4 Credits) and
• CH 112 Conceptual Chemistry II (4 Credits)

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• CH 201 Organic Chemistry I (4 Credits) and
• CH 202 Organic Chemistry II (4 Credits)

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• PH 201 Fundamental Concepts of Physics I (4 Credits) and
• PH 202 Fundamental Concepts of Physics II (4 Credits)

• or

• PH 211 Conceptual Physics I (4 Credits) and
• PH 212 Conceptual Physics II (4 Credits)

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• CH 303 Biochemistry (4 Credits)

• or

• BI 340 Biochemistry (4 Credits)

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• MA 141 Elementary Statistics (4 Credits)
• BI 215 Principles of Nutrition (4 Credits)

Additional Courses

Some schools require additional Mathematics, Chemistry, and/or Microbiology. These requirements may be met with the following courses:

• MA 201 Calculus I (4 Credits)
• MA 202 Calculus II (4 Credits)
• BI 204 Genetics
• BI 323 Microbiology (4 Credits)
• BI 325 Cell Biology (4 Credits)

• Students are advised to check with the schools to which they intend to apply to determine which of the Mathematics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Microbiology courses are prerequisites for admission. In addition, most schools require 1-2 semesters of English (reading and composition), 1 semester of Psychology, 1 semester of Sociology, and 1 semester of public speaking. These requirements may be met with the following courses:

• EN 101 Thought, Expression, and Advocacy (4 Credits)
• EN 201 Thought and Expression II (4 Credits)

• OR

• BI 242 Reading and Writing in Biology (4 Credits)
• PY 111 Introduction to Psychology (4 Credits)
• SO 101 Introductory Sociology (4 Credits)
• CM 110 Speech Communication (4 Credits)

Recommended Electives

In addition to prerequisite coursework, students are expected to have gained practical experience with veterinary medicine by either working or volunteering in facilities where veterinary medicine is practiced, such as veterinary clinics, zoos, or animal husbandry facilities. Some schools may have specific hour requirements for these experiences. A strong background in liberal arts and study abroad experiences are considered favorably. Other courses recommended as electives include the following:

• BI 327 Histology (4 Credits)
• BI 332 Animal Behavior (4 Credits)
• BI 335 Neurobiology (4 Credits)
• BI 337 Immunobiology (4 Credits)