The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program in the College of Veterinary Medicine is a professional degree program which will prepare students to advance the health and wellbeing of animals, people, the environment in the state of Arkansas and beyond. The DVM program is a four-year, competency-based education designed to ensure veterinary students are prepared for entry into primary care (clinical) practice and other careers in the veterinary profession. The first three years of training will occur primarily in Jonesboro at the Arkansas State University Campus where students will learn to prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseases affecting the health of domestic and wild animals. The final year will consist of clinical rotations, with non-core (externship and elective) rotations tailored to each student’s professional interests. Clinical rotations will take place across Arkansas and may extend to the mid-South or other regions of the country, depending on the student’s career goals.
Curriculum Overview
The Arkansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine (A-State CVM) Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program is intentionally structured as a four-year curriculum. This thoughtful pacing provides students with dedicated summer periods between the first and second years, and between the second and third years, to pursue career-aligned experiences such as hands-on clinical training, public health projects, and research opportunities. These experiences reinforce the knowledge gained in coursework and laboratories and strengthen professional networks, which helps prepare students for the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE®) and successful entry into the veterinary workforce.
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Degree Requirements
To earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at Arkansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine (A-State CVM), students complete both preclinical and clinical coursework. The preclinical curriculum includes 110.5 credit hours, followed by 42.0 credit hours in the clinical curriculum. Altogether, students need 152.5 credit hours with a passing grade to graduate.
