Pre-Veterinary

preProfessional

/ Academics / Departments & Programs / Pre-Professional Health / Academics / Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Pre-Veterinary

preProfessional

Degree Overview

Study and provide care for animals of all shapes and sizes.

Our students are accepted to top veterinary schools across the country. At Calvin, you’ll gain the academic knowledge, clinical experience, and personal confidence to succeed in veterinary school and your career.

Take classes in Animal Behavior, Vertebrate Biology, and Comparative Animal and Human Physiology. Then put it all to practice, whether with exotic animals at the John Ball Zoo, with farm animals at Kritter barn, or or with horses at the Equest Center for therapeutic riding.

Whether you pursue anesthesia, animal welfare, wildlife and conservation, or private practice, you’ll enrich lives by caring for the animals in your community.

Take the next step:

Degree Information

preProfessional
  • Overview

    To prepare for acceptance to veterinary school, you will need to take a series of courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. You can choose any major, but many pre-veterinary students choose the BS in Biology program. As part of the pre-veterinary program at Calvin, you will also meet with a faculty advisor to help you stay on track with your career plans.

    Related classes at Calvin

    Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Comparative Animal and Human Physiology, Animal Behavior, Vertebrate Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Genetics, and Biochemistry

    More options

    This program is part of a family of health science programs, many of which share a common course foundation. To learn about other options in the health sciences, see the Health Sciences page.

    Education after Calvin

    Complete your degree and go on to attend a school of veterinary medicine for four years.

    Veterinary schools

    Calvin grads have attended excellent veterinary schools like Michigan State University, Kansas State University, Colorado State University, and the University of Edinburgh.

  • Courses
    Loading...
  • Advising

Advisor

William Miller's staff picture
William Miller

Explore biology

Build a strong scientific foundation by expanding on your knowledge of biology. Learn more »

A biologist working in the laboratory
Several people gathered evaluating an exercising woman

A world of possibilities

This program is part of a family of health science programs, many of which share a common course foundation. Learn about other options in the health sciences »

Pie chart showing the amount of household debt accumulated by percentages of the graduating student body
Family income distribution for students applying for financial aid.

You can afford a Calvin education.

You’ve heard a lot about the high cost of a university education. But a Calvin education is much more affordable than you think. Most Calvin students pay far below the sticker price—and graduate with less debt than you might expect.

Explore affordability at Calvin »

U.S. News & World Report ranks Calvin as a Best Midwest Regional University for 2022.

A reputation for excellence.

There’s a reason Calvin gets top marks from U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and more. Calvin graduates are in demand at grad schools, med schools, and careers in every field.

Discover the Calvin advantage »

SOCIAL MEDIA

The latest sights & sounds | #calvinuniversity

Female student wading in Plaster Creek, examining a sample of water, holding it up to the sky.

ACADEMIC OPTIONS

With over 100 majors and programs, you’re bound to find something you love.

Browse by category

× CLOSE DRAWER
A dramatic view looking up at the Calvin's Crossing bridge, with a perfect blue sky overhead.

Apply to Calvin

It all starts here! We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. All completed applications receive equal consideration.

Start your journey × CLOSE DRAWER
A female and male student walking side by side down the Calvin's Crossing bridge, conversing with each other.

Visit Calvin

Find the visit option that works best for you and get a taste for life at Calvin!

Browse Visit Options Launch the virtual tour × CLOSE DRAWER
Students huddled around, lighting sparklers with a beautiful evening sky behind them.

Request Info

Learn why Calvin’s dedication to faith and discovery have earned it the rank of #3 among regional Midwest universities.

Loading...
× CLOSE DRAWER
Graduates in their robes, tossing their caps high into the air, laughing.

Costs & Financial Aid

Families from all economic backgrounds—many just like yours—are making Calvin work. Scholarships, grants and loans are the tools that make Calvin possible.

Explore financial aid & Scholarships How much does Calvin cost? × CLOSE DRAWER
Top