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Explore all Undergraduate Programs

Pre-Veterinary Science

Prepare for a career serving the health and welfare of animals.

Vet assists with small dog
Vet assists with small dog

Types

Pre-Professional

Location

On-Campus

Credits

53*

Cost

$9,875

Improve the lives of animals by giving them treatment, care, and kindness!

If you aspire to serve the health and welfare needs of animals – not to mention helping the animals’ owners feel more at ease knowing their beloved pet is in good hands – then a pre-veterinary degree program could be exactly what you need. A pre-veterinary degree program can make a difference in your career and in the lives of the creatures you serve by preparing you for veterinary school. Our pre-vet program will give you the skills you need for a rewarding role in the veterinary field. This program can also open the door to a variety of different careers in the world of natural science.   

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

$100,370

Average Salary

19%

Industry Growth

1 in 5

Students Make the Dean's List

96%

Receive Financial Aid
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog. 

General Education Requirements

This track gives you depth in your knowledge of biology especially. The pre-vet program at UC will prepare you for your advanced veterinary science studies by giving you a well-rounded undergraduate foundation. In addition to biology courses, you’ll work with knowledgeable professors and take classes in general subjects, including English, mathematics, social sciences and the humanities. This program enriches pre-vet students with general studies that have emphasis on natural sciences that will give you the tools you need to thrive in a veterinary school program!  

Course Requirements

Students interested in applying to medical, dental, or veterinary school are strongly encouraged to complete these courses. It is important to review the admissions requirements requirements for each program to which you will apply because the prerequisites for admission may be slightly different among professional schools.

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This option is recommended for students entering a “blended” area such as pre-professional medically related areas (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapist, etc.), chemistry/business, and chemistry/biology.

, , , and  are prerequisites for some upper-level chemistry courses.

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A Bachelor of Arts degree requires completing the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of completing one foreign language sequence through the intermediate level.

  • FREN 131        Elementary French I
  • FREN 132        Elementary French II
  • FREN 231        Intermediate French I
  • FREN 232        Intermediate French II
     
  • SPAN 131        Elementary Spanish I
  • SPAN 132        Elementary Spanish II
  • SPAN 231        Intermediate Spanish I
  • SPAN 232        Intermediate Spanish II

Take the Next Step

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Program Mission

The purpose of the pre-veterinary program is to prepare students to have a successful veterinary education and reach their career goals. We’re here to prepare you for higher education so you can begin helping animals through your career.

Develop your knowledge of natural science and necessary mathematics.
Grow in your appreciation of animals and nature.
Build a strong foundation of scientific inquiry, research, and study skills.
Master key concepts of biology, anatomy, and physiology.
Graduate with a well-rounded college degree, prepared for veterinary school.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Pre-Veterinary Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Veterinarian: $103,700

Veterinarian: $103,700

Care for the health of animals and work to protect public health. 

Veterinarian Technician: $36,850

Veterinarian Technician: $36,850

Veterinary technologists and technicians do medical tests that help diagnose animals’ injuries and illnesses. 

Animal Care Worker: $28,730

Animal Care Worker: $28,730

Animal care and service workers attend to or train animals. They are employed in a variety of settings, including kennels, zoos, stables, animal shelters, pet stores, veterinary clinics, and aquariums. 

Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900

Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900

Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. 

Livestock Handler: $29,680

Livestock Handler: $29,680

Agricultural and livestock workers maintain crops and tend livestock. Agricultural workers usually do their tasks outdoors in all kinds of weather. Most work full-time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. 

Medical Service Manager: $101,340

Medical Service Manager: $101,340

Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare providers. 

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

Whether you hope to heal animals or drive life-saving discoveries through research, there are many rewarding careers to choose from. From becoming a traditional vet working with mostly dogs and cats, to working with farm animals, to doing research, to performing lab tests, there are many options within the veterinary field! You may work in an office, clinic, lab, zoo, aquarium, or somewhere else entirely. The possibilities are endless! 

Yes! There are lots of options within the field of veterinary medicine that don’t involve directly treating animals, such as performing research in a laboratory or becoming a biology professor. A pre-vet degree can also open the door to careers in other areas of natural science. 

Some important skills for those who aspire to treat animals include strong communication skills, problem-solving ability, compassion, manual dexterity, decision-making skills, adaptability, and an ability to stay calm and collected under stress. The world of veterinary medicine is vast, so having a broad range of abilities is beneficial. Cumberlands does its best to prepare you with not only the book knowledge you need, but also the chance to practice skills like these. 

Earning a pre-vet degree helps you prepare for advanced studies in your areas of interest that can, ultimately, build momentum toward a rewarding career. Benefits of pursuing your pre-vet degree at 鶹ý include expanded career opportunities, dedicated advisors, and the chance to meet your pre-veterinary school requirements. 

As stewards of God’s creation, it’s important that we do our part to take care of the world around us. This includes taking care of animals. Animals are a vital part of our world and of how we experience it. They can provide joy and enrichment to our lives, and some even help accomplish important tasks, such as on farms or as trained service animals. Veterinary medicine is vital because it allows us to provide care for animals in need – remembering that animals also help humans in our times of need. 

All programs at 鶹ý are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Pre-Veterinary Science

Learn more about the pre-veterinary science professors you will interact with. 

Kara Stanley

Ms. Kara Stanley

Adjunct Professor
Biology

Ms. Kara Stanley

Contact Information

kara.stanley [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
Dr. Leif Deyrup

Dr. Leif Deyrup

Assistant Professor
Biology

Dr. Leif Deyrup

Contact Information

606-539-4309
leif.deyrup [at] ucumberlands.edu
Correll Science Complex B116
Dr. Joan Hembree

Dr. Joan Hembree

Associate Professor / Adjunct Professor
Biology

Dr. Joan Hembree

Contact Information

606-539-4264
joan.hembree [at] ucumberlands.edu
Correll Science Complex B115
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