Pre-professional course requirements

The College of Veterinary Medicine does not recommend any specific undergraduate degree program.  Although a bachelor's degree is not a prerequisite for admission, prospective applicants are encouraged to enroll in degree programs of their choosing while taking the required pre-veterinary courses.  It is advisable that applicants include a career alternative should circumstances preclude their admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine.

No more than one required prerequisite course may remain to be completed by the end of the Autumn term of the academic year in which you apply; that course must be completed by the end of Winter Quarter or Spring Semester of the academic year in which you apply. There is no option to complete prerequisities during summer term of the year of matriculation.  A grade of C or better must be earned in all prerequisite course work.

^* Humanities and Social Sciences: Students are encouraged to elect the courses required for the Bachelor of Science curriculum. Courses in communication, journalism, sociology, classics, economics, and animal behavior are strongly recommended.

^** Electives: Elective courses are at the student’s discretion, after consultation with an advisor.  However, highly recommended electives include embryology, immunology, anatomy, physiology, and animal science including nutrition.  

To be eligible for admission, applicants must have earned 96-101 college quarter-credit hours.

Ohio State is on a quarter system.  In general, 1 semester hour equals 1.5 quarter hours.  One year is the equivalent of three quarters or two semsters of course work.  However, course equivalency is based on course content and is not determined solely by credit hour. 

Advanced Placement - In order to receive credit for AP courses, they must be listed on official transcripts from a college or university you have attended.

Students pursuing their studies at another educational institution should contact the Office of Professional Admissions for course equivalency questions.

Office of Professional Admissions
Third Floor, Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 292-9444
professional@osu.edu

The Office of Professional Admissions can verify course equivalency to Ohio State prerequisite courses.