Yes you do. In many ways it is harder to be a vet than a doctor. There are different physiologies to know and a whole range of different skills are required. Most importantly animals cannot communicate where the pain is or what the symptoms are.
It does not appear that Harvard has a dedicated pre-veterinary medicine program at this time (Fall 2012). However, there is a student organization for pre-vet students. You do not have to complete a dedicated pre-veterinary medicine program to apply for and be accepted to vet school. You simply have to complete the pre-requisites for the schools you wish to apply to.
When exploring a career in animal healthcare, it's important to understand the distinction between pre-veterinary medicine and veterinary medicine majors. Both play essential roles in the journey to becoming a veterinarian, but they represent different stages in education and professional development. Pre-Veterinary Medicine Major Pre-veterinary medicine is an undergraduate track designed for students planning to apply to veterinary school. It is not a degree in itself but a preparatory program that includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, animal sciences, and other prerequisites required by veterinary schools. Students in this track focus on building a strong academic foundation and gaining relevant experience through internships or volunteer work. Veterinary Medicine Major Veterinary medicine, on the other hand, is a professional doctoral program (DVM or equivalent) pursued after completing undergraduate studies. This major trains students in advanced subjects such as animal anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, surgery, and clinical practices. Veterinary medicine students gain hands-on experience through labs, clinical rotations, and real-world practice to become licensed veterinarians. Why It Matters Understanding the difference helps aspiring veterinarians plan their education more strategically. Pre-vet students must excel academically and gain experience to secure admission into competitive veterinary programs. As a trusted Veterinary Medicine Manufacturer, Oxi Pharma supports the veterinary field by supplying high-quality animal healthcare products. From nutritional supplements to therapeutic medicines, Oxi Pharma plays a vital role in advancing animal well-being alongside veterinary professionals.
For most applicants to colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States, the pre-veterinary medicine curriculum takes 4 years to complete. Some can finish in 3 years (although this is becoming rare) and some take longer.
In the United States, you can attend any accredited undergraduate college for your pre-veterinary medicine studies.
A Vet-Tech is a worker under a veterinarian kind of like a nurse. Where as a Pre-vet student is in their undergraduate college education with pre-vet as a major. Having a Pre-vet major is when you take on a pre-designed educational course of study so you are well prepared for you Graduate education as a Vet Student.
Check with the Veterinary Medical Board in your state. In CA, this would not qualify you to sit for the RVT exam. I don't believe this qualifies you to sit for the national exam (NVTE), either, but check with the AVMA.
UCLA most likely does offer a pre-veterinary medicine program. However, you don't have to go through a dedicated pre-vet program to get into vet school. You just have to complete all the required pre-requisite courses for application to vet school.
There is no licensing specifically for dentistry in veterinary medicine. In most areas, veterinary dentistry falls under the definition of practicing veterinary medicine therefore it is performed by a licensed veterinarian or a veterinary technician/nurse under the supervision of a veterinarian. Veterinarians and veterinary technicians/nurses may choose to specialize in veterinary dentistry and can join veterinary dentistry academies to become certified as a specialist.
In the United States, you cannot have an undergraduate degree in veterinary medicine; you may, however have a Bachelor's with a Pre-Veterinary Medicine major. With this, you could substitute teach, go on to graduate school or vet school, or try to find work as a biologist.
In Oklahoma there is only one veterinary school - at The Oklahoma State University. However, there are many schools that offer pre-veterinary medicine programs (to ensure you complete all the pre-requisite courses to apply to Oklahoma State University) as well as numerous veterinary technician schools.
Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine offers a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program that typically takes four years to complete. Admission requires a bachelor's degree or significant pre-veterinary coursework, which can add an additional 2-4 years of education prior to entering the DVM program. Overall, students can expect to invest around 7-8 years of higher education to become a veterinarian through this pathway.
Marshall University is not an accredited College of Veterinary Medicine in the United States, therefore if this is a US college there are no veterinary classes offered here. Marshall University may offer veterinary technician courses, or have a pre-vet program for those interested in becoming veterinarians.