As of February 2019, there are no veterinary schools in Arizona that offer a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. However, the University of Arizona is working to soon open a College of Veterinarian Medicine to fill a shortage of DVMs in Arizona. For those interested in other types of veterinary training, many schools in Arizona offer related degrees and certificates.
Different Types of Veterinary Colleges
Undergraduate veterinary colleges in Arizona are another option for students interested in working in the field of veterinary science and technology. Programs are available that prepare students for graduate school or other careers working with animals. Careers range from treating family pets, farm and ranch livestock or zoo animals to researching animals, and their diseases and treatments.
University of Arizona Veterinary Science
The University of Arizona’s Department of Veterinary Science and Microbiology at Tucson offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Science. The department says it prepare students for a career in “animal or human health and welfare, biological or biomedical sciences and biotechnology or related fields.” Students wanting to practice veterinary medicine can go on to advanced degrees in veterinary medicine. The Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is located at the University of Arizona.
University of Arizona Department of Veterinary Science & Microbiology 1117 E. Lowell St. Tucson AZ 85721 520-621-2355 https://acbs.arizona.edu/
Arizona State University (ASU) Veterinary Program
Arizona State University (ASU) at Tempe offers a pre-Veterinary Medicine concentration as a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness. Students can go on to veterinary school. “Students in the pre-veterinary concentration have the unique opportunity to take business management courses as part of the program. Financial and administrative skills have been identified as playing a key role in the success of practicing veterinarians, especially those who manage and/or own a veterinary practice,” says ASU’s website. Students with a degree in Agribusiness could go on to find work managing veterinary hospitals, in human and veterinary pharmaceutical industries, and in other industries associated with the veterinary profession, according to the university.
Morrison School of Agribusiness 7171 E. Sonoran Arroyo Mall Mesa, AZ 85212 480-727-1586 https://wpcarey.asu.edu/agribusiness-degrees
Northern Arizona University Preprofessional Program
Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, offers an “Extended Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Health Preprofessional Emphasis” for students planning to go on to graduate school in a number of fields, including veterinary science. The degree is in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Northern Arizona University College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry P.O. Box 5698 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 928-523-3008 Website Details
Mesa Community College Veterinary Technology
Mesa Community College, part of the Maricopa Community College system, offers an Associate’s degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology/Animal Health. The college says the course is designed to prepare students for careers as veterinary technicians, among other career paths. Students could get practical experience in animal emergencies, large and small animals, zoos, laboratories and humane societies, the college’s website said.
Mesa Community College 1833 West Southern Avenue Mesa, AZ 85202 480-461-7000
Mesa Community College Red Mountain Campus 7110 East McKellips Road Mesa, AZ 85207 480-654-7200
Carrington College Veterinary Assistant Certificate
Carrington College’s campuses in Phoenix, Mesa and Tucson, Arizona offer a veterinary assistant program that can be completed in less than one year. Carrington's website says the program educates students to care for animal. Veterinary assistants are supervised by licensed veterinarians. Typical duties include dental care, preparation of tissue samples and helping during exams. After finishing a veterinary assistant, graduates of the program can seek entry-level jobs as veterinary assistants and animal caretakers in laboratories.
Carrington College, Mesa 1001 W. Southern Ave. Mesa, AZ 85210
Carrington College, Phoenix North 8503 N. 27th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85051
Carrington College, Tucson 201 N. Bonita. Ave. Tucson, AZ 85745
877-206-2106
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References
- University of Arizona: College of Veterinary Medicine FAQs
- University of Arizona: The School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences
- Arizona State University: Morrison School of Agribusiness
- Northern Arizona University: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Carrington College: Veterinary Assisting
Writer Bio
Kirsten Sorenson has been an online, print and television reporter, and a columnist since 1994. Her work has appeared in the "Washington Post," "Parade Magazine," the "Arizona Republic," the "Cincinnati Enquirer," KSL Television, Associated Press and the "Deseret News." Her areas of expertise include health and medicine, education and parenting. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Brigham Young University.