Program Overview

Introduction to the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine

The Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine at South Dakota State University is a collaborative program designed to prepare veterinarians for leadership roles in animal health, public health, and rural communities. The program emphasizes food animal and mixed animal practice, providing students with extensive opportunities to engage with food animals and livestock production systems.

Program Structure

The program is offered through a formal cooperative agreement between South Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Students complete the first two years of their veterinary education at SDSU in Brookings, followed by two years at the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine in St. Paul.

Admissions Details

Admissions to the program involve a three-stage process:

• Academic measures, including GPA in required preveterinary classes and the GPA on the most recent 45 semester credits of coursework.
• Nonacademic measures, including knowledge of the veterinary profession, experience with animals, personal characteristics, maturity, and reliability.
• A behavioral interview to assess competencies required for success in the veterinary profession.

Admission Criteria

Applicants must meet specific criteria, including:

• Completion of prerequisite courses in chemistry, biology, physics, math, English composition, and liberal education.
• A minimum GPA of 2.75 in required preveterinary courses and the most recent 45 semester credits of coursework.
• Submission of official transcripts and electronic letters of reference.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition rates vary depending on residency classification:

• South Dakota Resident: $15,353 per semester, $30,706 per year.
• South Dakota Advantage: $24,906 per semester, $49,812 per year.
• Nonresident: $28,641 per semester, $57,282 per year.
• Years 3-4 at the University of Minnesota: Minnesota Resident: $19,044 per semester, $38,088 per year; Nonresident: $34,155 per semester, $68,310 per year.

Prerequisite Courses

Applicants must complete specific prerequisite courses, including:

• English: one writing course and one additional English course.
• Mathematics: college algebra or higher math course, and statistics.
• Chemistry: general with labs, organic, and biochemistry.
• Biology: biology with lab, and genetics.
• Physics: introductory sequence.
• Liberal Education: three courses total.

Class Profiles

Class profiles provide information on the mean and range of GPA, age, and application pool statistics for each class.

Technical Standards

Technical standards are nonacademic criteria for admissions, continuing enrollment, and graduation, including skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for full participation in the program.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council of Education, ensuring a dynamic quality assurance process that closely monitors and responds to ongoing changes at accredited colleges.

Licensure

Graduates of the program are qualified to take the veterinary licensing exam in every U.S. state, provided they pass the national exam and meet each state's nonacademic requirements.