Veterinarian Schools in South Dakota

The guide below explores the major considerations involved in launching a thriving career as a veterinarian in South Dakota. It begins with a straightforward overview of the educational pathways candidates can use to receive a comprehensive undergraduate education.

We then explore possible avenues for postgraduate training and how to build some level of hands-on experience. Furthermore, readers will discover the licensing and certification requirements that can give them an edge throughout their careers.

The guide concludes with a list of top accredited veterinary programs and an overview of projections concerning the annual average salary and career outlook of veterinary medicine in South Dakota.

How to Become a Veterinarian in South Dakota

The steps below are usually needed to become a successful veterinarian in South Dakota.

Completing an Undergraduate Program

Candidates who want to become veterinarians in South Dakota must complete an undergraduate program. Students are also expected to maintain a high GPA throughout their stay in a bachelor’s degree program, which will help them secure admission into a vet school.

It is also worth mentioning that candidates don’t necessarily have to choose an animal science course to study during this time. A lot of veterinary schools will accept candidates regardless of their undergraduate courses.

Completing a Veterinary Medicine Program

For their actual training in veterinary medicine, interested individuals must complete a 4-year veterinary school and earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Usually, the first three years of vet school are dedicated to learning classroom topics in ophthalmology, pharmacology, radiology, and animal health/disease, among other key areas.

The last year of training will then be focused on hands-on training in a real-world environment through clinical rotations. At this point, applicants must also pass a national licensing examination known as the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).

Gaining Experience & Choosing a Specialty

Veterinarians must secure full-time employment after supervised experience. There are also several specialty options in the field, including equine specialty, which involves working with horses; exotic animal veterinary medicine, which involves working with exotic pets; and mixed practice, which involves working with both large and small animals.

Explore careers with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a veterinary technician in South Dakota

Top Veterinary Schools in South Dakota

The following are some top training programs for aspiring veterinarians in South Dakota to consider.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Veterinarian schools in North Dakota

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medicine expects candidates looking to be licensed as veterinarians in the state to have completed all of the above steps. In addition, they will have to pay $175 in fees for an odd-numbered year or $125 in fees if they are obtaining a license in an even-numbered year.

A veterinary license in South Dakota lasts for two years, after which it needs to be renewed. To renew, you must show proof of 32 hours of continuing education within the past two years.

Applicants must have completed an accredited veterinary school and take a written jurisprudence examination before being licensed.

Salary & Career Outlook

Currently, anyone just starting a career as a veterinarian in South Dakota can expect to start with an average annual salary of around $62,790 to $89,682. Those in the $62,790 earning category are considered to be the lowest-paid in the state, while those in the $89,682 category are considered to be among the median earners.

Everyone in this category can expect to earn more with time, a favorable location, and advanced professional credentials. Those in the top 10% category earning an annual average salary of $128,090 are those who have worked on these factors and more.

Regarding location, veterinarians in Rapid City, SD, are the highest-paid in the state, with an annual average salary of $96,880, while those in Sioux Falls are second, with an annual average salary of $89,947.

In its recent projections, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment rate for veterinarians in South Dakota will increase by around 19% in the coming decade.