If you are passionate about animal health, science, and improving the well-being of animals and the communities that depend on them, the pre-veterinary pathway at Southwestern University prepares you to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and prevent disease in animals while also contributing to public health, food safety, biomedical research, and wildlife conservation. From caring for companion animals to supporting livestock health, protecting ecosystems, and advancing medical research, veterinarians play an essential role in the health of both animals and people.
At Southwestern, students receive comprehensive, individualized advising to help them design an academic and co-curricular pathway that prepares them for veterinary school. Through rigorous coursework in the natural sciences combined with opportunities for research, service, and animal-related experiences, students develop the academic preparation and practical experience needed to become competitive applicants.
Although many pre-veterinary students major in biology or biochemistry, students from a wide range of academic majors successfully apply to veterinary school. Southwestern’s liberal arts environment helps students develop the analytical thinking, communication skills, and cultural awareness valued in the veterinary profession.
Students preparing for veterinary school benefit from guidance through the Pre-Medical Advisory Committee, which provides individualized advising and a centralized process to support students throughout the veterinary school application process.
Each professional program sets its own entrance requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to research individual schools and ensure all prerequisite coursework is completed accordingly.
Core Courses
- BIO50-173/171: Molecular and Cellular Foundations in Biology (Lecture + Lab)
- BIO50-183/181: Evolutionary and Ecological Foundations in Biology (Lecture + Lab)
- BIO50-314: Genetics with Lab
- BIO50-484: Microbiology with Lab
- (Animal Nutrition or Feeds & Feeding – must be taken elsewhere)
- CHE51-103/101: General Chemistry I (Lecture + Lab)
- CHE51-203/201: General Chemistry II (Lecture + Lab)
- CHE51-313/311: Organic Chemistry I (Lecture + Lab)
- CHE51-323/321: Organic Chemistry II (Lecture + Lab)
- CHE51-604: Principles of Biochemistry
- PHY53-154/150: Physics I (Lecture + Lab)
- PHY53-164/160: Physics II (Lecture + Lab)
- MAT52-114: Introduction to Statistics
- COM75-154: Public Speaking
- 6 semester hours of college English
Recommended Courses
- BIO50-364: Comparative Vertebrate Morphology
- BUS30-114: Fundamentals of Accounting
Advising Resources
Current students, alumni, and advisors can visit our Pre-Health website for additional resources on preparing for professional school, navigating the application process, and requesting letters of recommendation.