DVM Program
Our students graduate from the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program with the skills and knowledge to perform all procedures common to general veterinary practice – from the family cat and dog to livestock and horses.
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program provides a comprehensive veterinary education combining classroom learning, hands-on clinical training and practical experience.
- Accredited program: Accredited by the AVMA-CVMA (American and Canadian Veterinary Medical Associations) Council on Education.
- Program length: Four years (nine terms), including a 40-week final-year practicum.
- Comprehensive curriculum: Covers companion animals, equine, food-producing animals, exotic species, wildlife, conservation medicine, and public and ecosystem health.
- Clinical training: Hands-on training in clinical medicine, surgery, diagnostics and therapeutic planning, with early exposure to clinical cases and opportunities to develop practical veterinary skills.
- Professional development: Builds essential skills in communication, research, comparative medicine and clinical decision-making, with opportunities to explore individual career interests.
- Practicum opportunities: Final-year rotations through the Distributed Veterinary Learning Community (DVLC) provide diverse clinical experiences with veterinary practices and industry partners, emphasizing general and rural veterinary practice and allowing students to tailor rotations to their career interests.
Four Years at UCVM
- Years 1–3: Follow the regular academic calendar, with classes primarily at UCVM's Foothills and Spy Hill campuses.
- Year 4: Includes 40 weeks of practicum rotations and two additional weeks of assessment, running from May to April.
- Practicum locations: Rotations take place on and off campus through the Distributed Veterinary Learning Community (DVLC), with partner sites across Alberta, beyond the province and internationally.
Becoming a Licensed Veterinarian
The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination® (NAVLE®) is a requirement for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in all licensing jurisdictions in the United States and Canada. Our AVMA-COE accredited DVM program entitles fourth year students to register for the NAVLE®. For graduates of our DVM program to work in Alberta as a veterinarian, you must complete the program, pass the NAVLE, and then apply for licensing with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (AbVMA).
Career Opportunities
- Private veterinary practice (food animals, equine, companion animals)
- Academia
- Research and Medical industry
- Government agencies
- Wildlife and ecosystem management
- Public health
- Diagnostic services
Admission Requirements
Application for Admission
2026/2027 Admissions Timeline
Application Manual 2026/2027 (Class of 2031)
List of Acceptable Courses from Different Universities
Understanding the Admission Process
Admissions Statistics
Declaration of Applicant
Frequently Asked Questions
Have admissions related questions? Call us at 403.220.8699 or email us at: vet.admissions@ucalgary.ca