The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is responsible for determining which veterinary schools earn an accreditation. The AVMA is appointed by the U.S. Department of Education to review, examine and evaluate U.S. veterinary schools. The curricula of the AVMA establish the educational standards of excellence for veterinary schools, and the standards are recognized around the world as the superior standard for veterinary education. Based on the quality of educational programs and the effectiveness of educational resources, the AVMA's council of education decides which veterinary school programs gain accreditation.
Only students who successfully complete accredited veterinary education programs can receive licensure. Thus, a tremendous benefit of two-year or four-year programs at accredited veterinary schools is that students can obtain their veterinary license and begin their career after graduation. Acquiring an accredited education is also mandatory for people who intend to become doctors of veterinary medicine and to work with veterinary medicine. Furthermore, students who want to succeed as veterinary technicians must pass a credentialing examination administered by the National Veterinary Technician. To possess the fundamental knowledge and essential skills required to pass the test, students must receive an education from an accredited school and attain a degree from an accredited veterinary technician program.
The coursework at accredited veterinary schools provides students with the advanced education needed to succeed as veterinary professionals working in private veterinary offices, research laboratories or animal hospitals. For prospective veterinary technicians, the curricula of most accredited programs incorporate informative lectures and valuable laboratory assignments into the lessons. Courses typically address subjects such as animal medicine, veterinary diseases, veterinary imaging, anesthesiology and surgical assisting, animal dentistry, laboratory procedures, animal behavior and veterinary pharmacology. Accredited AVMA schools also usually provide students with practical hands-on experience and training with animals in professional clinics.
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University is fully accredited by the AVMA. The school offers a master's degree program for veterinary professionals, but gaining admission into the program is very competitive. Applicants must have a grade point average of about 3.5, a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of about 1120, a bachelor's degree in veterinary studies at an accredited university and experience working with or caring for animals.
The University of California Davis offers numerous bachelor's and master's degree programs that educate and prepare students to fulfill successful careers in many areas of the veterinary field. Some of the veterinary degree programs provided by the school include degrees in anatomy, physiology and cell biology, in medicine and epidemiology, in molecular biosciences, in population health and reproduction, in pathology, microbiology and immunology, and in surgical and radiological sciences. Other veterinary schools accredited by the AVMA include the University of Florida, University of Georgia, Colorado State University, University of Illinois, Purdue University, The Ohio State University, University of Pennsylvania, Virgina Tech, Texas A&M University, Washington State University and Oregon State University.