Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarians are licensed medical professionals dedicated to maintaining and promoting the health and well beings of animals. Veterinarians diagnose and treat sick and injured animals, prevent the transmission of diseases, and advise pet owners on the proper care of animals. Veterinary work is widely varied and may also include clinical practice with large and/or small animals, biomedical research, industry, zoological or exotic animal medicine, public health and food safety.

Admission to Veterinary programs is competitive and it’s recommended that students complete a bachelor’s degree and maintain a strong academic record prior to applying.

Portland State University's (PSU) offers a strong Pre-Veterinary Medicine program that enables students to complete their prerequisite coursework and obtain assistance in preparing for and applying to Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) schools across the country.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine is a professional track (not a major), but common majors for Pre-Veterinary Medicine students include: Science, Biology, and Chemistry. Students can choose any major while also completing their Pre-Veterinary Medicine coursework. Students can discuss with their veterinary advisor how these two components fit together in their course plans.

Prospective students interested in 

Portland State University's can meet with a Pre-Veterinary Medicine advisor to learn about the Pre-Veterinary Medicine track.