UCLA does not have a veterinary school

UCLA does not operate a veterinary medicine program or school of veterinary medicine. The university offers strong undergraduate biology and animal science coursework that can prepare you for veterinary school elsewhere, but it does not award a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.

If you are an undergraduate at UCLA and want to become a veterinarian, you will need to complete your pre-veterinary requirements at UCLA, then transfer to an accredited veterinary school in another state. California has only one veterinary school: UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, which is highly competitive and admits students from across the country.

Key Takeaways

  • UCLA has no veterinary medicine program, but its biology and animal science courses count toward pre-veterinary requirements for other schools.
  • UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is the only veterinary school in California and accepts students nationwide.
  • Pre-veterinary coursework at UCLA typically includes organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and animal biology classes.
  • Veterinary school admission is competitive and requires strong grades, veterinary experience, and standardized test scores (the GRE or veterinary-specific exams).

Pre-veterinary coursework at UCLA

UCLA's College of Letters and Science and the School of Biological Sciences offer the foundational courses that veterinary schools require. These include general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, general biology, and animal physiology. Most veterinary schools also want to see microbiology, genetics, and ecology.

UCLA does not have a formal "pre-veterinary" major, but you can major in biology, biochemistry, or environmental science and complete the veterinary prerequisites alongside your major requirements. Many students double-count courses—for example, using organic chemistry for both their major and their veterinary school prerequisites.

The UCLA College Advising Office and the Life Sciences Advising Center can help you map out which courses satisfy both your degree requirements and veterinary school prerequisites. Starting this planning early in your first year prevents you from taking unnecessary courses or falling behind.

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine: California's only option

UC Davis is the state's single veterinary school and one of the top-ranked programs in the United States. It admits about 140 students per year, roughly half from California and half from other states and countries. Admission is highly competitive; the median GPA for admitted students is typically 3.7 or higher, and the median score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is in the 85th percentile or above.

UC Davis requires the same pre-veterinary coursework as most schools: one year of general chemistry with lab, one year of organic chemistry with lab, one year of physics with lab, one year of general biology with lab, biochemistry, microbiology, and animal physiology. Some schools also require or recommend genetics, ecology, and statistics.

Beyond grades and test scores, UC Davis weighs veterinary experience heavily. This means shadowing a veterinarian, working at an animal shelter or clinic, volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center, or doing research involving animals. Most admitted students have 200 to 500 hours of documented veterinary experience.

Other veterinary schools you can attend from UCLA

If UC Davis does not admit you or you want to explore other programs, you can transfer your UCLA credits to veterinary schools in other states. The United States has 32 accredited veterinary schools, most of them public universities in agricultural states. Schools like Colorado State University, Iowa State University, Texas A&M, and Oregon State University are well-regarded and admit out-of-state students.

Private veterinary schools such as Cornell University (New York), University of Pennsylvania, and Western University of Health Sciences (California) also accept UCLA graduates. Private schools are more expensive but do not prioritize in-state applicants. Tuition at private schools can exceed $200,000 over four years, while public schools typically cost $100,000 to $150,000 for out-of-state students.

Each school has slightly different prerequisite requirements, so once you narrow your target schools, check their admissions websites for their exact course list. UCLA's advising office can help you verify that your completed courses meet each school's standards.

Building veterinary experience while at UCLA

Veterinary schools want to see that you have spent time around animals and understand what the job involves. Los Angeles has many opportunities to gain this experience. You can volunteer at the Los Angeles Animal Services shelters, intern at local emergency veterinary clinics, or work at wildlife rehabilitation centers in Southern California.

Research positions also count. UCLA's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the School of Biological Sciences run research labs that study animal behavior, conservation, and disease. Working in one of these labs for a semester or two shows veterinary schools that you can conduct scientific work related to animals.

Shadowing a veterinarian is often the fastest way to log hours. Call local veterinary clinics and ask if you can observe for a few hours per week. Most veterinarians are willing to let pre-veterinary students watch appointments, surgeries, and diagnostic procedures. Keep a log of your hours and ask the veterinarian to sign off on them for your veterinary school applications.

Timeline for explore to veterinary school from UCLA

Most veterinary schools use a rolling admissions process, meaning they review applications as they arrive and fill seats throughout the year. Applications typically open in May or June for the following fall's entering class. You should plan to submit your process by August or September to be competitive.

If you are a UCLA junior, you should be building veterinary experience now and maintaining a strong GPA. Take your pre-veterinary courses in your junior year if you have not already, so your grades are recent when you explore in the summer before your senior year. Many students explore during their senior year and defer enrollment to take a gap year, which gives them time to work in veterinary medicine and strengthen their process.

The entire process—from process submission to acceptance—typically takes four to six months. Interviews are usually conducted in fall and winter, and acceptances come through spring. Plan to have your process materials (transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statement) ready by late July.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a veterinary degree from UCLA?

No. UCLA does not have a veterinary medicine program. You must complete your pre-veterinary coursework at UCLA, then transfer to an accredited veterinary school elsewhere, most likely UC Davis if you want to stay in California.

What GPA do I need to get into veterinary school?

Most veterinary schools prefer a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and top schools like UC Davis typically admit students with a 3.7 or higher. Your GPA in pre-veterinary courses (chemistry, biology, physics) matters more than your overall GPA, so strong performance in those classes is critical.

How much veterinary experience do I need before explore?

Most veterinary schools expect 200 to 500 hours of documented veterinary experience. This can include shadowing, volunteering at shelters, working at clinics, or research involving animals. Start building hours in your first or second year at UCLA so you have a strong record by the time you explore.

Is UC Davis the only veterinary school in California?

Yes, UC Davis is California's only accredited veterinary school. However, Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona also offers a DVM program and accepts California residents. You can also attend veterinary schools in other states; 32 accredited programs exist across the United States.

Can I work as a veterinarian with just a bachelor's degree from UCLA?

No. You must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited veterinary school and pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) to practice as a veterinarian. A bachelor's degree alone does not may have access to you to practice veterinary medicine.