COURSE CURRICULUM

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at AVC is a comprehensive four-year curriculum consisting of three preclinical years and one clinical year. In Year 1, students complete required courses focusing on basic sciences, normal form and function, animal behavior, welfare, epidemiology, and clinical skills such as animal handling. This year also emphasizes professional identity development, including communication, cultural competence, and resilience. Year 2 deepens understanding of disease processes, public health, and clinical disciplines like medicine, surgery, anesthesia, and diagnostic imaging. Ethical reasoning, leadership, and clinical communication are further developed. Year 3 offers a mix of core and elective courses focused on large and small animal medicine, allowing students flexibility to pursue species-specific or career interests through five-week elective modules. In Year 4, students complete at least 39 weeks of clinical rotations across essential disciplines including anesthesiology, radiology, companion and large animal medicine and surgery, community practice, and diagnostic services. Additionally, students engage in a seminar-based Clinical Conference course. Beyond core rotations, students complete specialized and elective rotations, both internal and approved external, to refine their clinical skills and prepare for diverse veterinary careers. This structure ensures graduates are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of veterinary medicine in various professional settings.