Which Boston Schools Offer Veterinary Science Courses and Programs?

There are several institutions near Boston, MA, that have undergraduate degree programs in veterinary science, and one private institution that offers a doctorate program. Here you can learn about each school and the programs that they offer.

What You Need to Know

Associate's degree programs take two years to complete, and your coursework includes general education requirements, an externship and clinical classes. Some programs require two externships, and these may take three years to complete.

Bachelor's degree programs also have general education requirements. Some focus on preparing you for admissions to a veterinary school, while others offer training for employment as a veterinary technologist.

Earning your DVM degree requires a 4-year commitment after your undergraduate studies. These programs include clinical rotations, and some schools may offer joint degree programs.

Schools with Associate's Degrees in Veterinary Science near Boston

Becker College

You must earn 66 credits and receive a minimum grade of C in all core courses to receive this degree. You'll study anatomy and physiology of domestic animals, veterinary anesthesia and surgery, veterinary pharmacology and farm animal skills in addition to meeting general education requirements. You'll also be required to complete clinical courses and an externship. Becker College also offers an Associate of Science in Animal Care program.

• Program Name: Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology
• Program Length: Two years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $39,200 per academic year (cost for 2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: Proof of medical insurance and immunizations, ability to lift 50 pounds
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; 1,839 students (1,824 undergraduate)

Mount Ida College - University of Massachusetts Amherst

This program can prepare you for employment as a veterinary technician in a variety of settings, such as companion animal practices, zoos, farm animal practices, diagnostic laboratories and aquaria. You must earn at least 94 credits and complete two externships to receive this degree. Required courses include veterinary diagnostic imaging, research methods, veterinary pathology, clinical methods and veterinary pharmacology.

• Program Name: Associate in Arts in Veterinary Technology
• Program Length: Three years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $7,895.50 in-state and $17,556.00 out-of-state per academic year for full time students (2019-2020)
• Admission Requirements: Tuberculosis test, immunizations, must be in good physical condition
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; 1,320 students (1,293 undergraduate)

North Shore Community College

This program prepares you for employment in a veterinary practice or research facility. To prove the math and communications proficiency required for admission to this veterinary technology program, you must complete specified coursework or receive minimum scores on the SAT, a placement test or entrance exam. Curriculum requirements include surgical nursing and anesthesia, canine and feline behavior, ethics and law for pet care professionals, large animal and equine science, and basic clinical laboratory procedures. This school also offers an animal care specialist degree and certificate programs.

• Program Name: Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
• Program Length: Two years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $5,184 for in-state, $10,752 for out-of-state per academic year (cost for 2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Demonstrate math and communications proficiency
• Admission Requirements: Test of Essential Academic Skills, immunizations
• School Type: 2-year, public; 5,763 students (all undergraduate)

Schools with Bachelor's Degrees in Veterinary Science in Boston

Becker College

The pre-veterinary specialization provides the background needed for admission to most veterinary schools. When you choose this specialization, you'll concentrate mainly on general education courses in the first year, and the coursework will focus on veterinary science in subsequent years. Some of the topics you'll study are laboratory animal science, pathophysiology of disease, veterinary nutrition, veterinary radiology and genetics. You'll also have a large slate of electives to choose from, such as companion animal diseases, equine reproduction and breeding, clinical animal behavior and advanced veterinary nursing techniques.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science
• Specialization Areas: Pre-veterinary, clinical and laboratory animal medicine, equine studies, laboratory animal management
• Program Length: Four years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $39,200 per academic year (cost for 2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Minimum GPA of 2.5, secondary school courses in biology, chemistry and English, secondary school courses in algebra and geometry or college algebra
• Admission Requirements: Proof of medical insurance and immunizations, ability to lift 50 pounds
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; 1,839 students (1,824 undergraduate)

Mount Ida College - University of Massachusetts Amherst

This bachelor's program is designed for students who want to become veterinary technologists. Although courses on companion and farm animal practices are required, the emphasis is on handling animals in laboratory and medical environments. Some courses you're required to complete are mammalian anatomy and physiology, large animal medicine and management, and biological bases of animal behavior as well as numerous senior clinical rotations.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology
• Program Length: Four years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $7,895.50 in-state and $17,556.00 out-of-state per academic year for full time students (2019-2020)
• Admission Requirements: Tuberculosis test, immunizations, must be in good physical condition
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; 1,320 students (1,293 undergraduate)

School with Doctoral Degree in Veterinary Science in Boston

Tufts University

The first year, you'll receive classroom and laboratory instruction on biomedicine. As you progress through the program, you'll learn to diagnose and manage disease, and in the final year, you'll participate in clinical rotations with the opportunity to perform examinations and surgical procedures. A thesis program is available, but not required for graduation. Tufts University also offers three degree programs you can combine with your DVM: the Master of Science in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Master of Science in Laboratory Medicine and Master in Public Health.

• Program Name: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
• Program Length: Four academic years and one summer, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $52,192 per academic year (cost for 2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Completion of three full-time, undergraduate years and 90 credits; program-specific courses in biology, chemistry, humanities and fine arts, physics, genetics, biochemistry, social and behavioral sciences, math and English; experience in health, animal or veterinary science
• Admission Requirements: Graduate Record Exam, academic record, three letters of evaluation, extracurricular activities, two essays, interview
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; 11,586 students (5,643 undergraduate)

For students in the Boston, MA, area interested in veterinary science, Becker College, Mount Ida College, and North Shore Community College offer undergraduate degrees, while Tufts University offers a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.