Current DVM Curriculum: Active learning
The current DVM curriculum uses active learning to connect basic sciences with the clinical cases graduates will encounter. In the first three years, students study normal animal biology, disease pathogenesis, and the prevention, alleviation, and clinical treatment of disease. The program concludes with 13 months of clinical rotations at the Veterinary Medical Center, where students gain hands-on veterinary skills. Students choose from more than 65 rotations, from Acupuncture to Zoological Medicine, and may complete up to 10 weeks of externships at off-campus sites. DVM students attend classes full time Monday–Friday, have summers off after their first and second years, and complete a full calendar year of coursework, including summer, during their fourth year.
Beginning with the Class of 2031: Outcome-based learner-centered curriculum
At UMN, the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) curriculum is outcome-based and learner-centered. Organized into three stages — Stage 1: Foundations of Health and Welfare; Stage 2: Management of Disease; and Stage 3: Competent and Confident Team Member — students move through a carefully designed sequence that builds knowledge, skills, and confidence. Each stage creates a purposeful journey, guiding learners toward the ultimate goal of becoming Practice Ready Veterinarians (PRV).
Stage Outcomes and Competency Alignment
Stage outcomes align with Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) competencies and provide a clear roadmap for development and ensure milestone progression at every phase. Concepts are introduced early, reinforced consistently, and mastered over time to create a connected and intentional learning experience. This integrated approach fosters steady growth of critical knowledge and skills, preparing graduates to thrive in diverse practice settings.
Assessment and Evaluation
Assessments play an essential role in this process. Each is carefully aligned with stage outcomes to ensure progress is measured accurately and that a consistent standard of evaluation is maintained throughout the program.
Integration Across the Curriculum
A key priority of the curriculum is vertical and horizontal integration across the three stages. This design enables a seamless learning experience and provides clear pathways from one stage to the next. Integration combines elements within and across disciplines so students see how different components connect and work together.
For example, anatomy and physiology may be taught together to highlight how body systems function as a whole rather than in isolation. Courses are organized around systems and processes rather than isolated subjects, helping learners apply knowledge to real-world scenarios. This structure supports both procedural and conceptual understanding, ensuring graduates are practice ready veterinarians, equipped to meet the complex challenges of modern veterinary care.
Applied Learning and Real-World Readiness
Curriculum integration also blends theory and practice, weaving together themes from foundational sciences with transferable skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, adaptability, and communication. This approach creates a cohesive understanding of veterinary medicine while preparing students for the realities of practice.
Licensures
The DVM degree from the UMN CVM qualifies graduates to take the licensing exam in every state provided they pass the national exam and meet the state non-academic guidelines (background check, etc.).
DVM students must pass both state and national board licensing exams in order to practice. The national exam is called the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination and is offered in the fall and the spring. Those wishing to practice in Minnesota must also take the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine licensing exam. Information regarding licensure in other states can be found National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
Additional licensing requirements may vary from state to state. The Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine requires criminal background checks as part of its licensing process for both new and existing veterinarians. Please check with any state you are considering practicing in for specific details.