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About the Preveterinary Medicine Program

Why Study Preveterinary Medicine at Cedarville?

If you have a love for animals and want to make a career out of caring for them, Cedarville’s preveterinary medicine program will equip you with the academic, personal, and spiritual qualities needed in the demanding profession of veterinary medicine. As a prevet student at Cedarville, you'll be surrounded by supportive peers and taught by experienced professors who care for your spiritual well-being as well as your academic success. Through hands-on labs and engaging lectures, you'll graduate well-prepared to enter veterinary school.

Preveterinary students typically enroll in the Bachelor of Science in biology program because it provides a broad biological background from a biblical perspective. As you pursue your BS in biology, you'll complete a set of core courses that fulfills the entry requirements of most U.S. veterinary schools. These courses will also prepare you for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), a standardized exam required by most veterinary schools as part of the application process.

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What Sets Cedarville Apart?

Program Overview

Preveterinary Medicine Program Highlights

Academic Rigor — As a prevet student at Cedarville, you will be exposed to a rigorous curriculum of core biology and chemistry courses, as well as a variety of upper-level electives, including:

  • Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology
  • Genetics
  • Ecophysiology
  • Parasitology and Invertebrate Zoology
  • Agricultural Science.

Biblical Integration — At Cedarville, all of your courses will be taught from a Christian worldview and grounded in scriptural truth. You will earn a minor in Bible along with your BS in biology degree.

Hands-on Learning  — Your study of animal anatomy will be enhanced through laboratory dissections, research, and on-farm livestock experience. You will also have shadowing and internship opportunities from a number of local veterinary practices with expertise in both small and large animal medicine.

Research Opportunities  — The BS in biology program incorporates valuable research experience working with a faculty member (5:1 student-to-faculty ratio) over the course of at least one semester on a research topic within the faculty member’s field of expertise.

Why Study Preveterinary Medicine at Cedarville?

Why should you study preveterinary medicine at Cedarville? Watch for a professor's perspective.

What Can You Do With a Preveterinary Student Degree?

Most prevet students are preparing for veterinary school. However, with this concentration you could also apply for technician and assistant positions with an undergraduate degree. Graduates from the preveterinary program at Cedarville University have been accepted to some top veterinary schools, including:

  • Iowa State University
  • Lincoln Memorial University
  • Midwestern University
  • Mississippi State University
  • Purdue University
  • The Ohio State University
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Wisconsin
  • Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Graduate and professional programs and employers welcome Cedarville University graduates each year. It is important to note that some professional career fields you may pursue require additional education, experience, and/or licensure beyond the completion of your Cedarville University undergraduate degree.

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

Epsilon Kappa Mu — Cedarville’s prevet student organization, Epsilon Kappa Mu (EKM), creates a supportive community for Cedarville prevet students. The club regularly organizes volunteer opportunities with local partners, such as the Humane Society, 4 Paws for Ability (service dog organization), and the local animal shelter. EKM seeks ways to engage students in volunteer experiences, workshops, and networking opportunities. The student-led EKM will also encourage you as a prevet student in your pursuit of a veterinary profession and provide assistance as you prepare to transition to veterinary school.

Large and Small Animal Experience — One of the program professors, Dr. Bob Paris, welcomes prevet students to gain experience on his farm working with large-animal livestock. You will gain experience in the area of general livestock handling, as well as various aspects of routine healthcare. These opportunities are available within a five-minute drive of campus. In addition to the large and small animals on Dr. Paris’ farm, you will have opportunities to intern with or shadow one of the many local veterinarians specializing in small-animal medicine. Similar experiences are also available for those students interested in working with veterinarians specializing in large-animal medicine.

Christian Veterinary Mission — You may choose to participate with CVM, a global organization that seeks to equip and encourage students and professionals in the veterinary profession. CVM’s mission is to challenge, empower, and facilitate veterinary professionals to serve others by living out their Christian faith. They offer missions trips across the globe, where veterinarians and students have the opportunity to increase veterinary skills, serve others, and share the Gospel. Cedarville University’s Epsilon Kappa Mu hosts the local chapter of CVM’s Christian Veterinary Fellowship (CVF), and enjoys a close relationship with CVM’s Midwestern representative, Curtis Gibbs.

Local Ministry Teams — Prevet students are encouraged to develop attitudes of service. There are numerous local ministry teams at Cedarville, dedicated to serving those in our surrounding communities with the heart of Christ.

Program Curriculum

Building on the liberal arts and Bible minor courses, you will take a set of core courses that will meet veterinary school requirements and help prepare you for the GRE. This core includes one semester of zoology, botany, ecology, biochemistry, and math and two semesters of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Additionally, prevet students majoring in biology take several upper-level science courses.

Sample courses:

  • Agricultural Science 
  • Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology
  • Ecophysiology
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Parasitology and Invertebrate Biology

Program Format and Related Programs

Cedarville offers both graduate and undergraduate programs, with flexible completion options. You may also want to consider these related programs as you consider the degree or program that is a best fit for you.

Program Level and Format

  • Undergraduate
  • Residential
  • 4-Year
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Program Faculty

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Michael Mendel, PhD

Professor of Biology

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Bob Paris, PhD

Professor of Biology

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