A four-year professional program in Veterinary Medicine is offered annually to approximately 185 students. Each year, approximately 168 students are admitted to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, located on the main CSU campus in Fort Collins. Additionally, up to 14 students are admitted to the CSU-University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) 2+2 DVM Program. Students complete the first two years of the four-year program in Fairbanks, Alaska, and join the larger cohort in Fort Collins to complete years three and four. These students graduate with a DVM from CSU.
DVM students progress through a rigorous program of study emphasizing foundational science, clinical application, clinical reasoning, and skill development. Additionally, topics related to professionalism, wellbeing, finance, culture, accessibility, leadership, and advocacy are integrated into the core curriculum. Students benefit from a coaching program, time to explore career options, and opportunities to develop their professional identity.
In the first two years of the program, students learn about the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and clinical medicine associated with organ systems (e.g. Neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory). In some cases, discipline blocks (e.g. anesthesia, critical care) allow students to integrate information from multiple systems. Concomitantly, students learn skills associated with each system or discipline, work through integrative cases, and examine cultural, accessibility, and ethical principles inherent to veterinary medicine.
The third year, which includes the summer after year two, is termed “Transition to Clinics” as students become immersed in hands-on core and elective laboratory experiences emphasizing primary care. A focus on communication, synthesis of knowledge, wellbeing, and professionalism continues throughout the third year. Elective periods provide time for exploring professional paths.
In the fourth year of the program, students transition into the role of “doctor” with oversight from clinical faculty. Primary care experiences are the focus, with small animal and large animal opportunities to match individual student interests. Within specialty services, faculty continue to emphasize primary care principles while also emphasizing the role of the veterinarian in referral and case management. Importantly, students develop skills and knowledge that are transferable to an array of professional roles such as public health, conservation, research, and entrepreneurship. Elective experiences become more focused as students near graduation.
Students are empowered by dashboards reflecting progress in real time. Delivery methods engage students as they receive structured guidance in developing and applying knowledge. Students are encouraged to embrace productive failure and adopt an inquiry-based approach in exploring the inherent complexities of medicine. With opportunities to build financial literacy, wellbeing, and professional identity, DVM students are well equipped to holistically thrive in an array of career roles and to adapt within an evolving professional landscape.
The full course of study requires four years beyond completion of the pre-veterinary requirements. While exceptional students may complete pre-veterinary requirements in two to three years and then be accepted into the DVM Program, it is much more common that students complete a baccalaureate degree or graduate degree, followed by four years in the professional program.
For more information concerning the academic program which leads to the DVM degree, please visit the DVM Program website.
Learning Objectives
Adopted from the American Veterinary Medical Association Competency Based Veterinary Education Framework.
The DVM graduate will:
- Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving to arrive at evidence-based decisions that consider animal and client needs, available resources, and social context.
- Perform preventative, diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures for the health, wellness, and treatment of animals, appropriate to the context and life stage.
- Design and implement programs in herd/flock health, disease prevention and control to improve the health, welfare and productivity of animal populations.
- Respond to issues at the interface of animals, humans, and the environment, utilizing a global perspective and sensitivity to local cultures.
- Communicate effectively with diverse clients, colleagues, other healthcare professionals and the public to promote animal, human and environmental health and wellbeing.
- Collaborate with diverse colleagues, clients and other stakeholders and demonstrate skills as a leader and interprofessional team member to improve outcomes and reduce error.
- Demonstrate behaviors expected of the veterinarian, including ethical reasoning, reflective practice, self-regulation, professional development, and personal wellbeing.
- Utilize business acumen to manage professional and personal decisions, comply with legal and regulatory requirements and ensure safety of the workplace.
- Demonstrate the systemic identification, evaluation, and integration and adaptation of evidence and experience to formulate questions and solutions, and educate others.
Effective Fall 2026
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| VM 651A | Synthesis Wellbeing Identity Mentorship: I | 1 |
| VM 700A | VetReady - Practice, Progress, Perform: I | 2 |
| VM 704 | Biomedical Building Blocks | 7 |
| VM 709 | Response to Threats | 4 |
| VM 713 | Hematology and Lymphatics | 3 |
| VM 792A | Culture, Advocacy, Leadership, Livelihood: I | 3 |
| VM 793A | Seminars in Applied Clinical Medicine: I | 3 |
| Total Credits | 23 | |
| Spring | ||
| VM 651B | Synthesis Wellbeing Identity Mentorship: II | 1 |
| VM 700B | VetReady - Practice, Progress, Perform: II | 2 |
| VM 715 | Population Health | 4 |
| VM 727 | Nutrition, Metabolism, and the GI Tract | 6 |
| VM 729 | Integument and Eyes | 4 |
| VM 792B | Culture, Advocacy, Leadership Livelihood: II | 3 |
| VM 793B | Seminars in Applied Clinical Medicine: II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 23 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| VM 651C | Synthesis Wellbeing Identity Mentorship: III | 1 |
| VM 700C | VetReady - Practice, Progress, Perform: III | 2 |
| VM 734 | Heart, Vessels, Airways, and Circulation | 6 |
| VM 736 | Reproduction | 4 |
| VM 738 | The Urinary System | 4 |
| VM 792C | Culture, Advocacy, Leadership, Livelihood: III | 3 |
| VM 793C | Seminars in Applied Clinical Medicine: III | 3 |
| Total Credits | 23 | |
| Spring | ||
| VM 651D | Synthesis Wellbeing Identity Mentorship: IV | 1 |
| VM 700D | VetReady - Practice, Progress, Perform: IV | 2 |
| VM 743 | The Neuromuscular System | 6 |
| VM 755 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| VM 767 | Anesthesia and Critical Care | 4 |
| VM 792D | Culture, Advocacy, Leadership, Livelihood: IV | 3 |
| VM 793D | Seminars in Applied Clinical Medicine: IV | 3 |
| VM 797 | Transition to Clinical Experiences | 1 |
| Total Credits | 23 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Students must complete the Capstone Exam II (2nd year material) at the beginning of this semester. Passing this examination is required for progression in the program. | ||
| VM 728 | Principles of Imaging Interpretation | 3 |
| VM 749 | Clinical Sciences III | 5 |
| VM 753 | Clinical Sciences IV | 5 |
| VM 786A | Junior Practicum | 6-8 |
| Electives: | ||
| Non-Mammalian Vertebrate Medicine | ||
| Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation | ||
| Group Study: Swine Medicine | ||
| Group Study: Food Animal Clinical Problems | ||
| Total Credits | 19-21 | |
| Spring | ||
| Students must complete the Capstone Exam III (3rd year material) at the end of this semester. Passing this examination is required for progression in the program. | ||
| VM 772 | Veterinary Professional Development | 2 |
| VM 779 | Rational Antimicrobial Therapy | 1 |
| VM 786A | Junior Practicum | 6-8 |
| Track Requirements (Select one track) | 7-8 | |
| Small Animal Track: | ||
| Small Animal Medicine and Surgery I | ||
| Small Animal Medicine and Surgery II | ||
| Large Animal Track: | ||
| Bovine Herd Medicine | ||
| Equine Medicine and Surgery | ||
| General Track (Select a minimum of 7 credits from the following): | ||
| Bovine Herd Medicine | ||
| Equine Medicine and Surgery | ||
| Small Animal Medicine and Surgery I | ||
| Small Animal Medicine and Surgery II | ||
| Electives: | ||
| The Healer's Art | ||
| Biology and Diseases of Small Mammals | ||
| Veterinary Practice Management | ||
| Feline Medicine | ||
| Total Credits | 16-19 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| The entire senior practicum (VM 786B) is for a total of 42 credits. The number of credits per term is dependent on the amount of vacation and elective time. | ||
| VM 786B | Senior Practicum | Var. |
| Total Credits | 0 | |
| Spring | ||
| VM 786B | Senior Practicum | Var. |
| Total Credits | 0 | |
| Summer | ||
| VM 786B | Senior Practicum | Var. |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 169-174 | |
A minimum of 169 credits are required to complete this program.