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Agriculture: Concentration Pre-Veterinary Medicine

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Why study  Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Agriculture is one of the most important areas you could choose because it addresses a basic human need—food and other natural resources. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of veterinarians is projected to grow at a much-faster-than-average rate of 16% between 2019 and 2029.

The Pre-Veterinary Medicine program at APSU prepares students for successful application to veterinary schools at institutions accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association,  like the University of Tennessee, Auburn University, Lincoln Memorial University, and many others.

Students interested in this field typically have a strong background in Math and Science. Most will have a passion for helping animals of all types. Some will have a special interest in animal and even human health, since zoonotic diseases and livestock health and wellbeing directly affect humans. Successful Pre-Vet students are motivated to maintain a high gpa and gain many hours of veterinary guided animal experience which will aid in making them a competitive candidate for vet school admission. Future veterinarians should possess these traits:

Agriculture courses are delivered in small class settings with individual attention from faculty with experience and expertise in agriculture and veterinary science.  Students have an opportunity for hands-on learning at the 440-acre University Farm and Environmental Education Center to study livestock, companion animals and wildlife.  Our Pre-Veterinary concentration will prepare you to work with a wide variety of animal patients—everything from livestock to exotic pets. Students have the opportunity to be advised by a veterinarian that is also an Austin Peay Pre-Vet concentration alum, providing them with a unique perspective as they complete the curriculum and prepare for applying to veterinary schools.

APSU Agriculture faculty who teach Pre-Veterinary Medicine students have a wide variety of expertise in such fields as: Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Technology.

What Will I Learn

Because agriculture encompasses so many aspects of our world, including the study of animal, plant, and environmental systems, agriculture majors can enter a variety of careers in business, government, and the nonprofit sectors—or work for themselves. Our graduates work in a wide variety of Agricultural related careers. These include but are not limited to:   

 

Sample Course Plan and General Education Requirements

Pre-Veterinary Concentration Sample 4 Year Plan

General Education Core

 

Donald Sudbrink

Professor, Chair of Department of Agriculture

In addition to leading the APSU Department of Agriculture and teaching classes on grounds at the University's Clarksville campus, Dr. Sudbrink also helps manage the APSU Farm and Environmental Education Center.

This 440-acre property boasts a large demonstration area showing the production of cattle and farm commodities, an observatory and other opportunities for interdisciplinary study.

"We have other departments and programs like Biology, the Center of Excellence for Biology, Astronomy and Physics, Military Science and even some Art students," Sudbrink said. "There are many opportunities at the farm for our students in Agriculture and other Austin Peay students as well."