Our current curriculum is discipline based as has been traditional in many programs. Implementation of a system-based curriculum is currently planned to begin in 2025. Hands-on experience is incorporated into the program from the very beginning of your veterinary medical journey. This curriculum is being mapped to follow AVMA-COE and AAVMC required competencies.

Semester 1

CoursesCredits
Veterinary Anatomy 16
Veterinary Physiology 1 4
Veterinary Public Health 1 1
Essential Veterinary Skills 11
Marine Mammal and Pocket Pets Biology and Welfare1
Veterinary Embryology and Histology1

Semester 2

CoursesCredits
Veterinary Anatomy 2 4
Veterinary Physiology 23
Veterinary Immunology3
Veterinary Public Health 21
Veterinary Epidemiology1
Veterinary Clinical Nutrition 11
Essential Veterinary Skills 21
Veterinary Virology 11
Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology 11

Semester 3

CoursesCredits
Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology 14
Veterinary Pathology 14
Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology 23
Veterinary Clinical Nutrition 21
Veterinary Clinical Reasoning 11
Essential Veterinary Skills 3 1
Veterinary Virology 21

Semester 4

CoursesCredits
Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology 24
Veterinary Pathology 24
Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature 14
Veterinary Parasitology2
Veterinary Clinical Reasoning 21
Essential Veterinary Skills 41

Semester 5

CoursesCredits
Small Animal Medicine 15
Veterinary Radiology3
Veterinary Anesthesiology3
Clinical Appraisal of Scientific Literature 21
Veterinary Clinical Reasoning 31
Essential Veterinary Skills 51

Semester 6

CoursesCredits
Small Animal Surgery 15
Small Animal Medicine 25
Veterinary Ethics/Jurisprudence 1
Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature 31
Veterinary Clinical Reasoning 41
Essential Veterinary Skills 61

Semester 7

CoursesCredits
Large Animal Medicine 15
Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology5
Avian & Exotic Animal Medicine 12
Professionalism and Cultural Competencies 12
Essential Veterinary Skills 71

Semester 8

CoursesCredits
Large Animal Medicine 25
Large Animal Surgery5
Avian & Exotic Animal Medicine 22
Professionalism and Cultural Competencies 21
Essential Veterinary Skills 81

Semester 9

Comprehensive Exam Review
Licensing Exam Preparation

The 4th year of the program consists of clinical rotations. This will follow the accredited institution’s plan and may include the following:
This clinical training will be completed at Xavier’s partner accredited affiliate institutions in the US and Canada.

Rotations may include, but are not limited to:
» Community Practice
» Shelter Medicine and Surgery
»  Small Animal Internal Medicine
» Small Animal Surgery – Soft Tissue
» Small Animal Surgery – Orthopedics
» Farm Animal Medicine and Surgery
» Large Animal Field Services
» Equine Medicine
» Equine Surgery
» Equine Field Service
» Equine Emergency and Critical Care Medicine
» Radiology
» Clinical Anesthesiology
» Applied Pathology
» Small Animal Critical Care
» Small Animal Emergency
» Ophthalmology
» Dermatology
» Cardiology
» Small Animal Neurology
» Small Animal Oncology
» Theriogenology
» Surgical Oncology

The assessment and oversight for fourth year clinical rotations is the responsibility of Xavier University School of Veterinary Medicine, who is the degree granting institution.