The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is the only part of the University of California that deals with veterinary science. Located in Davis near Sacramento, the university's facilities include laboratories and teaching hospitals that treat over 30,000 patients per year. They also have a hospital residency program for veterinarians in 32 specialty areas, making it the largest residency program in the nation. Graduates of the DVM course can go on to study a Masters in Preventative Veterinary Medicine or one of the 17 PhD programs the school offers.
Western University offers a problem-based learning approach to their students, encouraging them to solve cases in groups early in their education. The university encourages students to work with a range of animals, including horses, birds, exotic animals and small mammals. Based in Pomona, near Los Angeles, Western University is partnered with a number of local education establishments, clinics and the Los Angeles zoo.
The DVM course is intensive and requires an excellent academic record. UC Davis requires a grade point average of 2.5 for entry, while Western University requires a GPA of 2.75. Both universities require applicants to have taken the Graduate Record Examination and to have extensive previous experience handling and working with animals. UC Davis looks for a minimum of 180 hours of experience, while Western University requires at least 500 hours experience before applying.