Veterinarian Schools in Minnesota

To become a veterinarian in Minnesota is to be a part of a prestigious profession that offers a competitive salary and several opportunities for career improvement and personal growth. Candidates in the state looking to launch successful careers as veterinarians are expected to follow a few steps common to several other states while making some considerations unique to Minnesota.

Of course, it can take a lot of work to keep up with all the various requirements and considerations, which is why we have compiled this comprehensive guide.

Here, interested individuals will discover all the educational and licensure requirements, accredited programs, and salary projections grouped by several determining factors.

How to Become a Veterinarian in Minnesota

Below are the steps needed to become a full-fledged veterinarian in Minnesota.

Start Preparations from High School

The first step to becoming a veterinarian in Minnesota is to start preparations as early as possible, typically from high school. During this time, candidates may start to set their goals and focus on Mathematics, English, and laboratory science topics to prepare for college.

Those who participate in Advance Placement courses and maintain good grades and a high GPA will also have a better chance.

Complete a Regular College Program

Graduating from regular college is a prerequisite for becoming a veterinarian, which is to secure admission and graduate from an accredited veterinary program.

However, time spent in a regular college program should not be treated merely as a stopgap. It is a valuable opportunity for candidates to set themselves apart and give themselves the best chances to secure admission into an accredited vet medicine program, of which there are only 33 in the country.

Complete an Accredited Veterinary Program

Candidates can enroll in an accredited veterinary program once they graduate college with a bachelor’s degree. For candidates in Minnesota, there are several notable options in and around the state, which we will look at in an upcoming section.

Individuals seeking admission into these programs are often asked to submit letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and proof of other extracurricular activities that may set them apart and give them an edge over the competition.

Pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam

Those who complete an accredited veterinary program will earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. However, before graduating from vet school, students must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE). The exam contains 360 computerized, multiple-choice questions.

Consider Careers with Similar Paths:

• Learn to become a veterinarian assistant in Minnesota

Top Veterinary Schools in Minnesota

The programs below are the most appropriate for candidates in Minnesota to consider for their comprehensive training in veterinary medicine.

Neighboring Options

Even though Minnesota has only one AVMA-accredited DVM program, candidates can look to neighboring options for worthy alternatives. These include the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine programs in Madison, Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Ames, and the University of Illinois’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana-Champaign.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Veterinarian Schools in Wisconsin

Licensure and Certification Requirements

The Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine oversees Minnesota’s requirements for obtaining state veterinary licensure. Candidates who have completed the above steps will have virtually everything they need to obtain a state license.

They will, however, also have to pay an application fee of $50 and a licensing fee of $200. A veterinary license in Minnesota lasts 2 years, after which candidates must renew through 40 hours of continuing education.

They must also undergo a background check and provide proof of citizenship or alien status.

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary of veterinarians in Minnesota was revealed by a survey of professionals to be around $119,309 for those who fall among the average earners; $147,579 for those who fall among the top 10% of earners; and $96,454 for those who fall among the bottom 10% earners.

As with most veterinary and animal science fields, location plays a huge role in determining how much a veterinarian in Minnesota will take home at the end of every year. As it happens, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area is the highest-paying location for veterinarians in Minnesota, with an annual average salary of $218,427.

This is followed by Apple Valley, with an annual average salary of $136,503; Blaine, with an annual average salary of $134,121; Saint Cloud, with an annual average salary of $126,680; and Andover, with an annual average salary of $122,233.