The AAS Program will launch in Fall 2027. Read more about how and why the program was designed.

All students complete the same 39 credits of core veterinary nursing coursework and 4 credits of Veterinary Nursing Clinical Experience. In addition, students complete 9 credits of hands-on skills training through one of two pathways:

• Distributive Practicum Pathway: Hands-on skills are completed throughout the fall and spring semesters at approved veterinary clinical sites.

• On-Campus Laboratory Pathway: Hands-on skills are completed during intensive summer laboratory experiences on the MSU campus.

Both pathways lead to the same required hands-on competencies and the same 52 total veterinary nursing credits.

Core + Clinical Experience: 12 credits total

Distributive pathway semester total: 13 credits total

Core + Clinical Experience: 10 credits total

Distributive pathway semester total: 13 credits total

Summer laboratory total: 4 credits total

Students in the distributive pathway do not take these courses.

Core + Clinical Experience: 11 credits total

Distributive pathway semester total: 14 credits total

Core + Clinical Experience: 10 credits total

Distributive pathway semester total: 12 credits total

Summer laboratory total: 5 credits total

Students in the distributive pathway do not take these courses.

How the Two Hands-On Pathways Work

Distributive Practicum Pathway

Students complete their required hands-on skills at approved veterinary clinical sites while enrolled in practicum courses during the fall and spring semesters.

The practicum courses correspond directly with the didactic content students are learning at that point in the curriculum. Areas include:

• Small animal nursing

• Radiology

• Clinical pathology

• Large and laboratory animal nursing

• Dentistry

• Anesthesia

• Surgical nursing

Students complete 9 practicum credits across the four fall and spring semesters.

On-Campus Laboratory Pathway

Students who choose the on-campus pathway complete the same major hands-on skill areas through intensive week-long summer laboratory courses at MSU rather than taking the fall and spring practicum courses.

The laboratory pathway includes:

• 4 credits after Year 1

• 5 credits after Year 2

Total: 9 credits

The laboratories provide concentrated opportunities for instruction, practice, and assessment of the essential veterinary nursing skills associated with the corresponding didactic courses.

Veterinary Nursing Clinical Experience

The Clinical Experience courses are separate from the two hands-on pathway options and are required for all students.

Students complete clinical experiences at approved distributive veterinary sites for approximately four hours per week for 15 weeks. The sequence progresses from foundational nursing skills to increasingly advanced clinical responsibilities.

The Fall/Spring placement of these courses represents the recommended sequence. Students may also have the option to complete Clinical Experience coursework during summer semesters.

Total Veterinary Nursing Credits: 52

The only difference between the two pathways is how the 9 credits of structured hands-on skills training are completed.