A veterinarian works with injured or ill animals. Although some veterinarians specialize in narrow fields, most of them work in general practices that deal with common animal ailments. In the United States, the general course of study for a prospective veterinarian is to attend a four-year college. Emphasized courses include animal science, chemistry, biology, physics and similar classes. After
. graduating from college, the student must apply to a veterinary school. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) gives accreditation to 28 schools within the United States, which receive several thousand applications each year. Of that number, about 2,400 students are accepted. The AVMA sets the educational standards for these veterinary schools. When a person applies to a veterinary school, college grades are examined. The applicant's work history is also considered, especially as it relates to spending time around animals. Many applicants gain experience by working on farms or volunteering in animal shelters. If an individual has taken the Graduate Record Examination, the score plays a factor in the admissions process. After a student enters veterinary school, four years of study are required. Although the courses may vary from one school to the next, they are generally very similar. During the first two or sometimes three years, classes that include microbiology, anatomy and physiology are covered. The students work in clinical settings over the last year or so of their time at veterinary school. They usually learn about a wide range of animals rather than specializing in only one variety. After an individual graduates and receives a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, that person is usually not required to serve an internship before beginning to practice. However, the person must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam, which is about eight hours long. A veterinarian who wants to specialize in a particular area needs to attend a residency program for an additional three or four years before receiving certification. http://vbs.psu.edu/currentstudents/majors/vbs/steps-to-becoming-a-veterinarian or http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?art_key=0c813991-2875-46f4-a79e-65822e80aa87
