Please visit our webpage here for more information about applying to the CVM Graduate Professional (DVM) Program. If you have any admissions questions, please contact the Admissions Team via email at admiss@cvm.msu.edu.

Background Checks

Matriculation into the CVM Graduate Professional (DVM) Program is contingent upon completion of a successful background check.

Read more about CVM's dual-degree programs here.

Applicants and matriculants for the DVM degree must possess the following technical standards, which are broken into five categories:

1. Observation Skills,
2. Communication Skills,
3. Motor Skills,
4. Intellectual-Conceptual (Integrative and Quantitative) Abilities, and
5. Behavioral and Social Attributes

All applicants and matriculants are held to the same academic and technical standards. The Technical Standards may be met with or without reasonable accommodations. If you need accommodations, please consult the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.

1. Observation Skills

Applicants and matriculants must be able to observe the required information presented through demonstrations and experiences in the basic and clinical sciences. Including, but not limited to, the information conveyed through physiological and pharmacological demonstrations in animals, microscopic images of microorganisms, and gross and microscopic evaluation of normal or pathological tissues. Furthermore, applicants and matriculants must be able to:

• Observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand, acquire information from written documents, and visualize information presented in images from paper, films, slides, and online videos.
• Perceive and interpret signs of fear, aggression, and other potentially dangerous behaviors by various animal species; sense and interpret warning sounds and signs in the veterinary health care environment.
• Interpret radiographs, other graphic images, and digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomena (such as EKGs) with or without assistive devices.

2. Communication Skills

Applicants and matriculants must be able to observe patients, elicit information, describe changes in behavior, activity, and posture, and perceive non-vocal communications. Applicants and matriculants must be able to sense and respond to directions in emergencies and during clinical and surgical procedures. Applicants and matriculants must communicate effectively orally and in writing with clients and colleagues.

Such communication skills require the functional use of visual, auditory, and somatic senses enhanced by other sensory modalities. When an applicant or matriculant’s ability to communicate through sensory modalities is compromised, the applicant or matriculant must demonstrate alternative means and/or abilities to meet the communication skills.

3. Motor Skills

Applicants and matriculants must possess the motor skills necessary to:

• Directly perform restraint procedures, palpation, percussion, auscultation, and other diagnostic maneuvers, laboratory tests, and diagnostic procedures.
• Execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general and emergency medical care. Such as, but not limited to, airway management, placement of intravenous catheters, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, application of pressure to control bleeding, suturing of wounds, other surgical procedures, and the performance of obstetrical maneuvers.

4. Intellectual-Conceptual (Integrative and Quantitative) Abilities

Applicants and matriculants must be able to assess, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize subjective and objective information. In addition, the applicants and matriculants must comprehend and understand the structure's three-dimensional and spatial relationships. Problem-solving, a critical skill demanded of veterinarians, requires all these intellectual abilities. Applicants and matriculants must be able to perform these problem-solving skills in a timely fashion.

5. Behavioral and Social Attributes

Applicants and matriculants must possess the emotional health required to utilize their intellectual abilities fully. In addition, applicants and matriculants must have the social and behavioral skills necessary to:

• Exercise good judgment (i.e., recognizing and communicating limitations, discerning when to ask for help, prioritizing responsibilities, being truthful in self-report, and maintaining professional boundaries with patients).
• Conscientiously complete all assignments and responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients.
• Function effectively under stress.
• Interact cooperatively with clients and members of the health team, including students.
• Tolerate physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding workloads.
• Adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in patients' clinical problems.

Due to the unique nature of the integrated curriculum, the MSU CVM does not accept transfer students to the DVM program. The MSU CVM does not accept transfer credit from other institutions of higher education and does not offer advanced standing to admitted students based on course work completed in foreign medical schools or in programs that lead to other professional or academic credentials.

Students in the DVM program must follow policies, procedures, and regulations regarding tuition, fees, and refunds, as determined by MSU for graduate students. The university sets tuition and fees. General information, policies, procedures, and regulations relative to tuition and fees may be found within the MSU Academic Programs Catalog on the MSU Office of the Registrar website here.

Information regarding MSU’s refund policy may be found here.

Students in the DVM program must follow all MSU policies, rules, and regulations regarding tuition, fees, and refunds for Graduate-Professional students. Tuition and fees are set by the university. General information, policies, procedures and regulations relative to tuition and fees may be found within the MSU Academic Programs Catalog on the MSU Office of the Registrar website. Enrolled students are assessed charges for tuition and fees on a semester basis.

Additional information regarding tuition rates and billing may be found here on the Controller’s Office website.

The MSU Office of Financial Aid has dedicated staff to assist medical students in the colleges of Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine by distributing financial aid information, coordinating financial aid workshops, and by providing individualized financial aid counseling. One-on-one advising is also available to current, prospective, and newly admitted students.

General resources on student finances and financial aid, as well as information on costs, budgets, tuition, and fees are available online at the MSU Medical Student Financial Aid website.

The MSU CVM uses the MSU scholarship system, MSU Scholarships, to manage scholarships. DVM students are invited to complete a conditional application each year to update their information and interests.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted in early November every year to be considered for any College of Veterinary Medicine scholarships. Failure to submit a FAFSA application will result in ineligibility for donor scholarships for which financial need must be established. A FAFSA must be submitted each year to determine financial need for that specific year; need level from a prior academic year can’t be carried over or used for the following year.

Scholarships will be awarded in the spring and summer for the following academic year.

Please note: Scholarships applied to your account may reduce your current financial aid loans and/or grants.

1. Scholarship Application Process

• You will not need to apply directly for scholarships. You will only need to update your information and interest in MSU Scholarships annually.
• MSU Scholarships and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information will be used to match available scholarships with qualifying students.
• Scholarship recipients will be notified via email if they are selected for an award.

*The CVM Development and Alumni Relations team will notify recipients of scholarships if a thank you letter is required. If a required thank you letter is not received, the scholarship recipient will not be considered for any future internal scholarship. For questions, please get in touch with us at scholarship@cvm.msu.edu.

2. Benefits for Students

• The College will be able to award funds to eligible students on a rolling basis.
• Students will not need to spend countless hours writing essays and completing applications.*

*A select group of scholarships still require an application. Students will be notified to submit the required application for these specific funds.

3. Eligibility

Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding intellectual ability or notable achievements. Thanks to the generosity of college alumni and friends, there are a rapidly growing number of scholarships for a highly deserving student body.

Please note: Donors set specific criteria for scholarships. If a student does not match donor requirements such as financial need, academic standards, and/or interest, the Scholarship Team cannot award funds.