DVM Program
The School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis is home to approximately 600 bright, talented, energetic and dedicated professional students studying to become the next generation of veterinarians.
The mission of the DVM program is to provide exceptional educational experiences, grounded in evidence-based, best practices in veterinary medical education, preparing competent, confident graduates to begin careers advancing the health of animals, people, and the environment.
The professional curriculum at UC Davis is a four-year program of academic study and clinical skills training leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Each student is provided with a broad foundation of knowledge and skills in comparative veterinary medicine, before choosing a species-specific stream in small or large animal. Following this, the flexible design allows students to focus on careers in small animal, large animal, equine, livestock, zoologic or mixed animal practice as well as poultry, laboratory animal, aquatic medicine, pathology, public health or research.
Consistently ranked at the top among the “best veterinary schools in the nation” by U.S. News & World Report, and in veterinary science internationally by QS World University Rankings, the School of Veterinary Medicine is a leader in veterinary medical education with a curriculum built on sound educational theory, designed and delivered by eminent faculty who are leaders in their fields.
In 2024, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine received a Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, reinforcing the school’s commitment to supporting a vibrant, diverse and respectful learning community.
Thank you for your interest in the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (UCD SVM). It is an exciting time to join our community as our advances in educational delivery, patient care and clinical excellence, and research discoveries continue to make us a world leader in veterinary medicine. This leadership continues to drive success for our patients of all species and in all settings and facilitates career promotion and advancement of our graduates. At the same time, UCD SVM is a great place for our employees to find their academic and professional home for a long, rewarding career.
Veterinary Medicine has a profound and unique ability as a career where professionals can thrive in a wide range of sectors (e.g. private general and specialty practice, industry, agriculture, academia, research, and more). With so many species and environments in which we care for all animals, veterinary medicine has something for everyone. If you dive deeper into our School’s people and programs, you will discover fascinating information that supports animals, people, and the planet every day. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ As the veterinary school with the largest research budget, we create the discoveries that drive clinical improvements and advancements in medical knowledge that may also translate into improvements for human health. With a goal to expand our class size due to the workforce shortage of veterinarians to serve all communities, we also continue to expand our scholarship and grant programs to make a veterinary education affordable. Through this work and partnership with generous benefactors, UCD SVM is proud to have one of the lowest debt:income ratios in the nation. A top-rated education paired with a relatively low educational debt makes UCD SVM likely the best value in veterinary education today.
Please read through the extensive DVM Admissions information on our website as it will answer the majority of your questions. You will find the FAQ section particularly helpful. If you would like to tour our Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, visit their website.
Please feel free to contact us if you have specific questions. My team and I look forward to your application so that we can consider you for admission to our DVM program in the near future.
