The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (UMN CVM) and South Dakota State University (SDSU) have partnered together to create the Professional Practice in Veterinary Medicine (PPVM) program. This 2+2 program focuses on careers in food animal or mixed animal medicine in rural communities.
SDSU will admit a class of up to 20 students to complete their first two years of veterinary school at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. The cohort will transfer and complete their last two years at the UMN CVM in St. Paul, MN, and graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, issued by the UMN.
Prospective students may apply to SDSU, UMN CVM, or both programs, through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). The UMN CVM will initiate the application evaluation by completing an academic review. Eligible applicants will then be forwarded to SDSU, who will independently conduct the remainder of the review using evaluation criteria similar to the UMN CVM. More details on SDSU’s admissions criteria and a list of frequently asked questions can be found on the SDSU DVM program website.
SDSU is a public research university located in Brookings, SD, with a student enrollment of about 12,000. Founded in 1881, SDSU is the state's largest and most comprehensive university focused on academic programs in agriculture, engineering, nursing, and pharmacy, as well as liberal arts. Brookings is the fourth largest city in South Dakota, with a population of approximately 24,000.