Prerequisites
A minimum of 66 semester credits is required for admission into the DVM program. This includes 44 semester credits of required prerequisite coursework. All prerequisite coursework must be completed for credit and with a grade of "C-" or better at a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) accredited institution to satisfy the requirement. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prerequisite courses completed between Spring 2020 and Summer 2021 will satisfy a requirement if a "Pass", "Satisfactory", or equivalent outcome was awarded.
Applicants who have completed courses at a foreign institution must submit WES evaluated transcripts to VMCAS. Prerequisite approval will be granted from the WES evaluated transcripts only. Please visit the VMCAS Applicant Help Center for more information regarding submitting foreign coursework, including study abroad courses, through VMCAS.
Prerequisite course credits do not transfer into the DVM program. Our office only grants approval of fulfillment of DVM program admissions requirements. Please speak directly with your undergraduate institution(s) for questions regarding transferability or acceptance of a course for pre-veterinary degree progress.
Prerequisite Review
If after reviewing the course information below you are unsure if a course(s) will be accepted, use this form to request a course substitution or prerequisite course approval. Requests may be submitted before or after completion of the course(s).
Course Requirements
Update 12-12-23 - The Faculty Committee on Admissions voted to make no changes to course requirements. We encourage candidates to take advanced biomedical courses like cell biology to prepare for the professional medical curriculum but cell biology will not be required.
| Subject Area | Course | Semester credits |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science | General Biology/Zoology | 6 |
| Biological Science | General Biology/Zoology Lab | 2 |
| Chemistry | General Chemistry | 6 |
| Chemistry | General Chemistry Lab | 2 |
| Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| Biomedical Science | Biochemistry (must require Organic as a prereq.) | 3 |
| Biomedical Science | Microbiology | 3 |
| Biomedical Science | Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| Physics | Physics | 6 |
| Math | College Algebra or higher | 6 |
| English | Composition/Writing Intensive | 6 |
| TOTAL | - | 44 |
Course Guide
The information in these tabs provides examples* of courses at Louisiana State University A&M Baton Rouge that have been approved for the fulfillment of prerequisite requirements. Applicants are not required to complete prerequisite courses at LSU A&M. This information should serve as a first step guide in determining if a course from another institution will be accepted.
*These lists are not exhaustive of all approved courses and merely provide standards for comparison. If in doubt about a course, please contact SVMAdmissions@lsu.edu.
22 credits of other coursework in addition to the 44 credits of prerequisite courses must be completed for admission into the DVM program. These courses should reflect the interests and career objectives of the candidate and provide a broad general education.
Applicants are encouraged to complete courses that support their career goals and preparedness for the professional curriculum. Completion of advanced biomedical and animal science coursework (e.g., nutrition, genetics, physiology, cell biology, etc.) and of courses in arts, humanities, social sciences, business, etc. can support the DVM candidate's educational experience and post-doctoral opportunities.
Quarter term courses do not have the same contact hours as courses of a semester term; thus, quarter system credits must be converted to semester credits. One quarter hour converts to a semester hour at 2/3 of its value. The LSU SVM Admissions Office uses the multiplier of 0.667 for this conversion (Sem Hrs = Qtr Hrs * 0.667). Applicants completing quarter term courses must take three courses to meet the required six semester credit hours of a two-course sequence. For example, nine quarter hours of Physics I, II, and III would have to be taken at a quarter term school to meet the equivalent six semester hours of General Physics I and II at a semester term school.
- Courses may be completed through a 4-year institution, community college, or online program. The course provider must be a CHEA accredited institution.
- Online laboratories are accepted.
- Prerequisites must be completed by the end of the spring semester prior to DVM matriculation.
- Course requirements are not waived in lieu of work experience and/or earned degrees.
- Prerequisites will be accepted for up to 10 years from the time of completion to DVM matriculation.
- Lower-level prerequisites may be accepted beyond 10 years on a case-by-case basis.
- Organic chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology w/lab must be completed within 10 years.
- Credit earned through advanced standing or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) general examinations is accepted if it awarded by an undergraduate institution.
- Prerequisite course (required course) GPA will not be an evaluation factor.
- No minimum Overall GPA required for application.
- Candidates with a 3.2 GPA or lower will be first considered during a focused academic review. Recent academic improvement with consistent high performance in upper-division biomedical and animal science coursework will warrant return of the application to the general pool for further consideration.
- Overall GPA calculated by VMCAS will average repeated coursework grades.