Veterinary Medicine

Advisor: Sue Habeck

Veterinarians can start their education at a community college. The program of studies listed below leads to the Associate of Science Degree, Biology Specialization. Upon completion of this degree, students may be able to transfer to most four-year colleges and universities as juniors. Pre-veterinary students usually earn Bachelor’s Degrees in Biology, Zoology, or other related disciplines, applying to Veterinary Schools during their Senior year. In addition to college coursework, pre-veterinary students must obtain experience working with animals and animal care

The only Veterinary School in our region is at Washington State University in Pullman (www.vetmed.wsu.edu). If admitted to Veterinary School, it takes at least four years to earn a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). We strongly encourage pre-veterinary students to contact the advisors at WSU’s Veterinary School to discuss admissions procedures, as early as their freshman year.

Although members of the TCC natural science department make every effort to consult with various colleges and universities regarding requirements, students are encouraged to consult catalogs, websites and advisors at their chosen four-year institution during their freshman year. Some institutions have additional admissions requirements, such as foreign language courses. We strongly encourage pre-veterinary students to contact the advisors at WSU’s Veterinary School to discuss admissions procedures as early as possible.

Preparation: While in high school, students should pursue all the available courses in mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics.

Program Planning: Students should meet with a general advisor as soon as they are admitted to Tacoma Community College. Once ready for college-level reading and writing, they will be assigned a faculty advisor.

Be aware that many courses have prerequisites, are offered only once or twice a year, and are sequential. Careful selection of classes each quarter is necessary to complete the program without delay.

• Some students may need to take additional prerequisite courses.
• The Humanities and Social Science courses must be chosen from the Humanities and Social Science courses on the Approved Distribution Course List.
• At least one course must be chosen from the list of approved multicultural courses on the Approved Distribution Course List.
• Physics 114 and 115, or Physics 121 and 122 are strongly recommended as elective courses.
• PE activity courses cannot be used as elective courses.
• A maximum of 5 credits of electives can be from courses that do not appear on the Basic Requirements list of the Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree Option A or on the Approved Distribution Course List. Such courses must be approved by a biology advisor.

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine

For more information about the Veterinary Medicine program at TCC, please contact a Veterinary Medicine advisor: Sue Habeck.