The academic professional program calls for two phases of education: a preclinical three-year phase and a clinical phase in the fourth year of training. The first through the third years of the professional program are concerned with a gradual progression from a basic science presentation to a more clinical application of veterinary science. Two summer-vacation periods are allowed in the first three years of the professional program.
The clinical program at NC State Veterinary Medicine provides a heavy emphasis for actual “hands-on” clinical practice and is demanding both physically and mentally. Students select “species priority areas” to increase their depth of training in their intended area of post-graduate activity, while still retaining a broad based veterinary education. There are five species priority areas from which to choose:
First year students engage in exploration of foundational science and medical concepts using a comparative (multi-species) approach designed around bodily systems. This learning is supplemented by training in communications, team-based problem solving, professionalism and clinical reasoning. In addition to the courses below students will be required to complete one 1 credit selective course in each of the fall and spring semesters.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| VET 910 | First Year Conference | 1 |
| VET 911 | Animal Health and Disease 1 | 4.5 |
| VET 912 | Becoming a Professional 1 | 2 |
| VET 913 | Exams and Interventions 1 | 2 |
| VET 914 | Form and Function 1 | 9 |
| VET 915 | Integrated Applications 1 | 1.5 |
| One Selective chosen from: | 1 | |
| SP Top in MBS | ||
| SP Top in MBS | ||
| SP Top in DOCS | ||
| SP Top in DOCS | ||
| SP Top in PHP | ||
| SP Top in PHP | ||
| Hours | 21 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| VET 920 | First Year Conference 2 | 1 |
| VET 921 | Animal Health and Disease 2 | 6 |
| VET 922 | Becoming a Professional 2 | 1.5 |
| VET 923 | Exams and Interventions 2 | 2 |
| VET 924 | Form and Function 2 | 7.5 |
| VET 925 | Integrated Applications 2 | 1 |
| One Selective chosen from: | 1 | |
| SP Top in MBS | ||
| SP Top in MBS | ||
| SP Top in DOCS | ||
| SP Top in DOCS | ||
| SP Top in PHP | ||
| SP Top in PHP | ||
| Hours | 20 | |
| Total Hours | 41 | |
Second year students build upon their foundational learning through application of skills in live and simulated contexts. This practice is supplemented by communications labs with live actors, tackling complex case scenarios, and discussion of career path opportunities. In addition to the courses listed below students will be required to complete one 1 credit selective course in each of the fall and spring semesters.
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| VET 931 | Animal Health and Disease 3 | 8.5 |
| VET 932 | Becoming a Professional 3 | 2 |
| VET 933 | Exams and Interventions 3 | 6 |
| VET 934 | Form and Function 3 | 4.5 |
| VET 935 | Integrated Applications 3 | 1 |
| One Selective chosen from: | 1 | |
| SP Top in MBS | ||
| SP Top in MBS | ||
| SP Top in DOCS | ||
| SP Top in DOCS | ||
| SP Top in PHP | ||
| SP Top in PHP | ||
| Hours | 23 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| VET 941 | Animal Health and Disease 4 | 9.5 |
| VET 942 | Becoming a Professional 4 | 3 |
| VET 943 | Exams and Interventions 4 | 4 |
| VET 944 | Form and Function 4 | 1 |
| VET 945 | Integrated Applications 4 | 1 |
| One Selective chosen from: | 1 | |
| SP Top in MBS | ||
| SP Top in MBS | ||
| SP Top in DOCS | ||
| SP Top in DOCS | ||
| SP Top in PHP | ||
| SP Top in PHP | ||
| Hours | 19.5 | |
| Total Hours | 42.5 | |
Third year students kick off the Fall Semester with a four week preceptorship field experience. On returning to campus, they practice advanced application of their medical skills and knowledge with complex cases across multiple species and contexts. Supplemental content reviews core principles from Year One and prepares students for entry to clinics. Students will have the opportunity to choose from a menu of core electives, with a requirement to take two credit hours in Fall and four credit hours in the Spring. These allow for targeted learning fit to their specific career interests. In addition, students will take one 1 credit selective course in the Fall semester and VET 960 Clinical Pathology & Lab Medicine, a 2 credit course in the spring which serves as the introduction to fourth year clinical rotations.
| Third Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| VET 950 | DVM Preclinical Preceptorship | 3 |
| VET 951 | Animal Health and Disease 5 | 8 |
| VET 952 | Becoming a Professional 5 | 2 |
| VET 953 | Exams and Interventions 5 | 7 |
| VET 955 | Integrated Applications 5 | 1 |
| One Selective from: | 1 | |
| SP Top in MBS | ||
| SP Top in MBS | ||
| SP Top in DOCS | ||
| SP Top in DOCS | ||
| SP Top in PHP | ||
| SP Top in PHP | ||
| 2 Credits of core electives: | 2 | |
| Veterinary Pain: Physiology and Clinical Problem Solving | ||
| Advanced Small Animal Medicine | ||
| Advanced Equine Practice | ||
| Advanced Equine Theriogenology | ||
| Small Ruminant Medicine | ||
| Bovine Reproduction | ||
| Hours | 24 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| VET 960 | Clinical Pathology & Laboratory Medicine | 2 |
| VET 961 | Animal Health and Disease 6 | 10 |
| VET 962 | Becoming a Professional 6 | 2 |
| VET 963 | Exams and Interventions 6 | 4.5 |
| VET 964 | Form and Function 6 | 1.5 |
| VET 965 | Integrated Applications 6 | 1 |
| 4 credits of Core Electives: | 4 | |
| Case Based Radiographic Interpretation | ||
| Small Animal Rounds | ||
| Advanced Topics in Small Animal Dermatology | ||
| Equine Field Skills Elective | ||
| Advanced Small Animal Neurology, Ophthalmology, and Orthopedics | ||
| Feline Medicine | ||
| Zoological and Laboratory Animal Medicine | ||
| Swine Industry | ||
| Advanced Ruminant Medicine and Surgery | ||
| Hours | 25 | |
| Total Hours | 49 | |
Students must complete 49 credits in the fourth year: 46 credits of clinical rotations and three credits in Clinical Conference. The clinical year consists of a combination of core and elective rotations that are determined based upon a student’s declared species priority area with two vacation blocks. Clinical Conference presentations are required of each student.
The clinic scheduling process begins in fall of third year with information sessions with senior clinicians and/or clinical coordinators, Academic Affairs, and Student Services.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| VET 995 | Clinical Conference | 3 |
| 46 credits of Clinical Rotations: | 46 | |
| Veterinary Medicine Externship | ||
| Veterinary Medicine International Externship | ||
| Clinical Year Special Topics | ||
| Clinical Year Special Topics (Offsite) | ||
| Rehabilitation and Mobility Clinical Rotation | ||
| Zoological Medicine Field Calls | ||
| Small Animal Primary Care | ||
| Clinical Theriogenology | ||
| Clinical Rotation in Veterinary Radiation Oncology | ||
| Equine Primary Care | ||
| Sea Turtle Medicine and Rehabilitation | ||
| Clinician Scientist Research Experience | ||
| Small Animal Radiology | ||
| Small Animal Radiology (Ultrasound) | ||
| Clinical Anesthesia Rotation | ||
| Clinical Behavior & Nutrition | ||
| Companion Animal Medicine for Food Animal Students | ||
| Prosimian Medicine | ||
| Primate Medicine | ||
| Small Animal Emergency Service | ||
| Small Animal Nephrology and Urology | ||
| Equine Emergency and Critical Care | ||
| Equine Orthopedic Surgery and Lameness | ||
| Introduction to Equine Primary Care | ||
| Comp Animal Med II | ||
| Clinical Small Animal Veterinary Cardiology | ||
| Small Animal Surgery (Topics Include: Small Animal General Surgery; Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery) | ||
| Equine Dentistry and Podiatry | ||
| Equine General Surgery | ||
| Veterinary Critical Care | ||
| Equine Lameness and Imaging | ||
| Equine Medicine | ||
| Vet Medical Oncology | ||
| Lab Animal Medicine | ||
| Small Animal Ophthalmology | ||
| Dermatology | ||
| Intro Clin Neuro | ||
| Adv Com An Int Med | ||
| Exotic Animal Medicine | ||
| Zoological Medicine | ||
| Advanced Exotic Animal Medicine | ||
| Raptor Medicine and Rehabilitation | ||
| Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Medicine | ||
| Ruminant Obstetrics and Neonatal Care | ||
| Beef Production Medicine | ||
| Small Ruminant and Camelid Medicine | ||
| CVM Farm Animal Management | ||
| Ruminant Primary Care | ||
| Food Animal Diagnostics for Disease Diagnosis, Control, and Population Surveilla | ||
| Advanced Ruminant Medicine Topics | ||
| Food Supply Veterinary Medicine | ||
| Advanced Topics in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology | ||
| Food Animal Pharmacology | ||
| Necropsy | ||
| Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Poultry Health Management I | ||
| Poultry Health Management II | ||
| Swine Health Management I | ||
| Swine Medicine & Production II | ||
| Ruminant Topics | ||
| Farm Animal Medicine and Surgery Clinical Rotation | ||
| Total Hours | 49 | |
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