Which Schools Offer Veterinary Science Degrees in San Francisco?

Licensing and Education Requirements for Veterinarians in San Francisco

In all states, veterinarians are required to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine. To become licensed in California, you'll need to provide proof of graduation from an accredited school of veterinary science, where you've earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), as well as pass a fingerprint-based background screening. You'll also need to pass the California Veterinary State Board exam, the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam and the Veterinary Law Examination. If you've graduated from a California veterinary school, you'll have taken a course in veterinary law and won't have to take that exam.

Career and Licensing Info for Vet Techs in San Francisco

As a registered veterinary tech (RVT), you would be allowed to perform tasks such as applying splints or casts, administering anesthesia or performing dental extractions under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Registration would also allow you to provide basic emergency care to animals, as well as give certain medications, according to a veterinarian's verbal or written instructions.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), you'll need an associate degree to become a veterinary technician and a bachelor's degree to become a veterinary technologist. In California, earning either degree from a school accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, or one approved by the state of California, qualifies you to sit for the registration exam. It's possible to qualify without graduating from an approved program, but it requires a combination of education and at least 24 months of specific experience under a California-licensed veterinarian. You'll also need to pass a background check to take the exam.

Salary and Job Outlook for Veterinary Professionals in San Francisco

The BLS predicted that job growth for veterinarians would be 36% between 2010 and 2020. Growth for veterinary technologists and technicians should be even higher, at 52%, for the same period. In the San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City area, veterinarians earned a mean annual wage of close to $132,000 in 2011. Veterinary technologists and technicians earned a mean annual wage of about $39,000 that year.

Associate Degree Programs in Veterinary Medicine near San Francisco

Cosumnes River College

• Program Name: Associate in Science in Veterinary Technology
• Program Length: Two years, full-time
• Tuition: $46 per credit for in-state students, $254 per credit for out-of-state students (as of fall 2012, excluding fees)
• Prerequisites: Completion of prerequisite courses in biology and chemistry with at least a 'C' grade
• School Type: 2-year public; close to 15,000 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 8401 Center Parkway, Sacramento, CA 95823
• Phone: (916) 688-7344

Earning an associate degree from Cosumnes River requires 41-44 core credits, in addition to prerequisite and general studies coursework. While it's a 2-year program, it may take you as long as three years to complete because of the prerequisite requirements. Preferably, you should complete general education courses before you enroll in core courses. Some of the general studies areas in which you'll take classes include English, math, the arts, the humanities and history. Self-development and physical education classes are also required.

Chemistry and biological sciences courses are prerequisites for veterinary technology classes. Examples of the core veterinary tech courses you'll take include introduction to veterinary technology, animal anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, dentistry and large animal nursing. Be aware that you'll have to dissect and study animal cadavers. You'll also participate in at least 300 hours of work experience and complete an independent study project.

Foothill College

• Program Name: Associate in Science in Veterinary Technology
• Program Length: Two years, full-time
• Tuition: $31 per unit for in-state students, $138 per unit for out-of-state and foreign students (as of summer 2012, excluding fees)
• Prerequisites: High school algebra, chemistry and biology or Foothill College equivalent; completion of Foothill VT 51 before application to program
• Admission Requirements: Background check, drug screening (required to work at some clinics)
• School Type: 2-year public; close to 16,000 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
• Phone: (650) 949-7777

To complete the 92-credit hour vet tech program in two years, you'll need to take summer and winter sessions. Prior to applying to the veterinary tech program, you'll need to complete prerequisite courses. The college also recommends completing 30 units of general education coursework before beginning the core program. General education requirements include classes in English, math, social sciences, natural sciences, U.S. cultures and lifelong learning. In the first year, your core classes will cover subjects such as allied health and large animal care. You'll also take animal management and chemistry and complete a clinical internship.

In your second year, you'll continue your clinical internship, as well as take classes such as veterinary emergency and critical care, veterinary technology, animal diseases and anesthesiology. You'll need to take all courses in the scheduled order, and you must earn a grade of at least 'C' in every class. Foothill also requires you to have valid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification by the time you graduate.

Doctor in Veterinary Medicine Degree Program near San Francisco

University of California - Davis

• Program Name: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
• Program Length: Four years, full-time
• Tuition: $32,976 per year for in-state students in years 1-3, $36,600 per year for in-state students in year four, $45,221 per year for out-of-state students in years 1-3, $48,845 for out-of-state students in year four (cost for 2011-2012 academic year, excluding fees)
• Prerequisites: Upper- and lower-division college courses in chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biological sciences, genetics, physiology, biochemistry, English, statistics, and the humanities and social sciences
• Admission Requirements: Minimum 2.5 collegiate GPA, GRE test scores, three letters of recommendation, personal interview
• School Type: 4-year public; over 25,000 undergraduate students, nearly 6,700 graduate students
• Address: One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
• Phone: (530) 752-1011

The DVM curriculum is student-focused (rather than instructor-focused) and emphasizes small-group learning. Your first year will start with introductory courses in animal functioning and physiology. During the second year, you'll focus on infectious disease mechanisms, manifestation and prevention. For the third and fourth years, you can choose to concentrate on your personal veterinary interests. In your final year, you'll also select a clinical track and participate in clinics and labs, primarily at an on-site teaching hospital.

Residency Veterinary Medicine Program near San Francisco

University of California - Davis

• Program Name: Residency Program in Veterinary Medicine
• Specialization Areas: Small animal: behavior, cardiology, companion avian/exotic pet medicine, surgery, internal medicine, emergency/critical care, shelter medicine, renal medicine/hemodialysis, dentistry and oral surgery, dermatology, neurology/neurosurgery, oncology, ophthalmology and radiation oncology; large animal: dairy production medicine, equine emergency and critical care medicine, livestock reproduction and herd health, equine reproduction, equine surgery, large animal medicine - equine emphasis and large animal medicine - livestock emphasis; support services: anatomic pathology, nutrition, pharmacy, clinical pathology, radiology and anesthesia/critical patient care; other areas: CAHFS pathology, CAHFS toxicology, zoo and wildlife pathology, zoological medicine, senior anatomic pathology and laboratory animal/primate medicine
• Program Length: 1-4 years, depending on your performance and residency
• Tuition: Not applicable
• Prerequisites: DVM from an approved school, 1-year internship or equivalent experience
• Admission Requirements: Three letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae
• School Type: 4-year public; over 25,000 undergraduate students, nearly 6,700 graduate students
• Address: One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
• Phone: (530) 752-1011

The William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at UC Davis offers spots to over 30 residency candidates in specialty areas of veterinary medicine. Most of your time as a veterinary resident will be spent working in your specialty area and teaching veterinary students under faculty supervision. About 20%-25% of your time will be spent in seminars, rounds, research and electives. You'll also be expected to present seminars, work on a research project for publication and present your research findings at the hospital's House Officer Seminar Day.

Residents must live within 15 minutes of the hospital to be available for emergency calls. Salaries for first-year residents were about $37,000 per year as of 2012. Your first resident appointment is for one year, and reappointment is based on program performance. Completing a residency will fulfill part of the eligibility requirements to sit for the boards in your specialty area.

Post-Doctoral Veterinary Medicine Program near San Francisco

University of California - Davis

• Program Name: Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Specialization Areas: Population health, food and water safety, public health and zoonoses, international health, ecosystem health and independent study
• Program Length: One year, full-time; three years, full-time, for the international health option
• Tuition: $38,024 for in-state students, $50,269 for out-of-state students (total yearlong program cost for the 2011-2012 academic year)
• Prerequisites: DVM or equivalent
• Admission Requirements: Minimum 2.7 GPA in DVM program, three letters of recommendation, minimum score on TOEFL or IELTS test (international students)
• School Type: 4-year public; over 25,000 undergraduate students, nearly 6,700 graduate students
• Address: One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
• Phone: (530) 752-1011

Earning a master's degree in veterinary preventive medicine requires that you complete 30 credits of required courses and 12 credits of electives. Examples of required classes include epidemiology, statistics, animal health policy and veterinary research. You'll also take electives courses in one of seven areas. Course topics could include food safety, disease investigation, public health, ecotoxicology or zoonoses. You'll also complete a 10-credit research project, which includes a written and oral presentation.