Our current curriculum is discipline based as has been traditional in many programs. Implementation of a system-based curriculum is currently planned to begin in 2025. Hands-on experience is incorporated into the program from the very beginning of your veterinary medical journey.

Semester 1

CoursesCredits
Veterinary Anatomy 16
Veterinary Physiology 1 5
Veterinary Public Health 1 1
Essential Veterinary Skills 11

Semester 2

CoursesCredits
Veterinary Anatomy 2 4
Veterinary Physiology 24
Veterinary Public Health 21
Microbiology and Immunology 1 3
Essential Veterinary Skills 21

Semester 3

CoursesCredits
Pharmacology and Toxicology 14
Microbiology and Immunology 2 3
Pathology 14
Clinical Reasoning 11
Essential Veterinary Skills 3 1

Semester 4

CoursesCredits
Pharmacology and Toxicology 24
Pathology 24
Essential Veterinary Skills 41
Clinical Reasoning 21
Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature 11
Animal Nutrition3

Semester 5

CoursesCredits
Essential Veterinary Skills 51
Clinical Reasoning 31
Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature 21
Radiology3
Anesthesiology3
Small Animal Medicine 15

Semester 6

CoursesCredits
Essential Veterinary Skills 61
Clinical Reasoning 41
Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature 31
Small Animal Medicine 25
Small Animal Surgery 15

Semester 4

CoursesCredits
Pharmacology and Toxicology 24
Pathology 24
Essential Veterinary Skills 41
Clinical Reasoning 21
Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature 11
Animal Nutrition3

Semester 5

CoursesCredits
Essential Veterinary Skills 51
Clinical Reasoning 31
Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature 21
Radiology3
Anesthesiology3
Small Animal Medicine 15

Semester 6

CoursesCredits
Essential Veterinary Skills 61
Clinical Reasoning 41
Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature 31
Small Animal Medicine 25
Small Animal Surgery 15

The 4th year of the program consists of clinical rotations. This will follow the accredited institution’s plan and may include the following:
This clinical training will be completed at Xavier’s partner accredited affiliate institutions in the US and Canada.

Rotations may include, but are not limited to:
» Community Practice
» Shelter Medicine and Surgery
»  Small Animal Internal Medicine
» Small Animal Surgery – Soft Tissue
» Small Animal Surgery – Orthopedics
» Farm Animal Medicine and Surgery
» Large Animal Field Services
» Equine Medicine
» Equine Surgery
» Equine Field Service
» Equine Emergency and Critical Care Medicine
» Radiology
» Clinical Anesthesiology
» Applied Pathology
» Small Animal Critical Care
» Small Animal Emergency
» Ophthalmology
» Dermatology
» Cardiology
» Small Animal Neurology
» Small Animal Oncology
» Theriogenology
» Surgical Oncology

The assessment and oversight for fourth year clinical rotations is the responsibility of Xavier University School of Veterinary Medicine, who is the degree granting institution.