If you've been watching Animal Planet's Emergency Vets, there's a pretty good chance you've considered a career in veterinary medicine.

But what does it take to become a veterinarian? This page, along with the accompanying links from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, will attempt to answer all of your questions.

Academic Preparation Pre-College
It's never too early to start thinking about your future career, especially one as demanding and, yes, rewarding as veterinary medicine.

Even if you're just entering high school, there are a number of classes you can take that will prepare you for your college-level, pre-veterinary courses. Some of these include:

• at least one-and-a-half years of algebra, one year of geometry, and six months of trigonometry.
  
• one year each of chemistry, biology and physics.
  
• academic core subjects, including English, social sciences, history and any other subjects required by your high school and the college you plan to attend.

For additional information, check out this section on high-school preparation. .

Academic Preparation College
The MSU-CVM Web site also contains information on undergraduate requirements you'll need to get into their program, and the Preveterinary Program. Other veterinary schools across the country may request similar requirements.

In addition to course requirements, students must also submit scores from either the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examination) — General Test by the deadline for application to the doctor of veterinary medicine degree program.

International students whose native language is not English need to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

Non-Academic Preparation
When the College of Veterinary Medicine's Committee on Student Admissions considers a potential student, there are non-academic factors that fit into the equation as well.

These include veterinary exposure, such as volunteering at a veterinary clinic with a veterinarian. It is also important to have significant animal exposure through non-veterinary experiences.

Consult the MSU-CVM Web site for more information on non-academic preparation.

Veterinary Technology
Veterinary technicians and veterinary technologists are integral members of the veterinary health care team.

Technicians are entrusted with a range of responsibilities, including animal nursing care, surgical assistance and physical therapy.

Approximately two years of academic training are required for veterinary technicians.

Veterinary technologists require four years of academic training. This training offers exposure to special clinical areas such as emergency medicine and cardiology.

The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine offers a certificate program and bachelor's degree program in veterinary technology. In addition, an associate degree is coordinated through nearby Lansing Community College.

For additional information, read about MSU's Veterinary Technology Program.

Commonly Asked Questions
No doubt you have questions; we most likely have the answers. See if your query is among these commonly asked questions.

Referral Directory
For a list of veterinary medicine resources, consult MSU-CVM's referral directory.

Other Veterinary Colleges
Of course, Michigan State isn't the only veterinary college in the world. In the United States and Canada, there are 31 veterinary schools.

The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges provides a list of all those schools, complete with addresses, telephone numbers and Web sites.