CAREERS
Education
Application to veterinary school involves undergraduate college course work usually requiring 3-4 years to complete. The application process also involves the applicant showing an interest in veterinary medicine through gaining experience with a veterinarian or work in similar fields. Once the applicant is accepted to veterinary school, he or she must complete 4 years of course work. The course work includes classroom and clinical study in large and small animals. After the course work is completed, a national test must be passed and then the student becomes a doctor of Veterinary Medicine and can practice veterinary medicine. A veterinarian can be identified by the letters "DVM" or "VMD" after their name. Some veterinarians may pursue further education, such as an internship and residency, which may lead them to becoming a veterinary board certified specialist.
Veterinary Colleges
Several colleges in NJ offer programs to meet the prerequisites for veterinary programs. Upon completion of prerequisites, an individual will have to travel out of state to pursue the doctor of veterinary medicine degree. However, the state of NJ does contract a limited number of seats at certain veterinary colleges such as University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, and Ohio State. Interested applicants are advised to contact the individual colleges for information on NJ contract programs and admissions procedures including out-of-state admissions policies. Additional information about schools with veterinary programs can be found by visting http://www.aavmc.org/Students-Applicants-and-Advisors.aspx.
Veterinary Technology Programs
For those interested in pursing a career as a veterinary technician, please visit the New Jersey Veterinary Technichians and Assistants (NJVTA) website or e-mail info@njvta.com for more information on requirements. The Northern New Jersey Consortium for Veterinary Technician Education is a regional academic program sponsored jointly by Bergen Community College (BCC). Successful students are granted an Associate in Applied Science degree. Please contact Bergen Community College at (201) 612-5329.