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Program Snapshot
Academic CredentialAssociate in Arts (AA)
Total Credit Hours60
Average Time to Complete2 yrs.
Academic PathwayScience, Technology, Engineering & Math
AdvisorPenni Beitzel
Associate Professor
850.769.1551 ext. 2866
pbeitzel@gulfcoast.edu

Senior Administrative AssistantKathy Bleday
850.872.3851
kbleday@gulfcoast.edu

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Veterinary Medicine, AA

Do You Have a Desire to Help Animals?

Do you like to work with animals? Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to improve public health. They diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals. Embark on an exciting career path in veterinary medicine, where you can put your knowledge and compassion into practice. Preventing disease and healing animals is at the heart of what veterinarians do. But you can also do much more. Whether they're pets, working animals or livestock, animals matter to individuals and society. Every community needs veterinary professionals to provide animal health care.

Most veterinarians work in private clinics and hospitals. Others travel to farms, work in laboratories or classrooms, or work for the government. Veterinarians must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited veterinary college and a state license.  Candidates should expect very strong competition for available veterinarian positions, especially in companion animal care. Employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for veterinarians was $88,490 in May 2015.  

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Veterinary Medicine Course Requirements

English I &  II
Visual and Performing Arts
Philosophy/Religion
Literature
Trigonometry
Calculus I
Chemistry
Biology 
Behavioral Sciences
History
Government
Biology Courses
Chemistry Courses
Electives

A complete list of courses with descriptions can be found in the Catalog

What can you do with an Veterinary Medicine AA Degree?

In this field, people find careers as:

Animal Nutritionist
Veterinary Surgeon
Ecologist
Zoologist

Gulf Coast alumni of this program have continued their education at:

University of Florida
Miami Dade College
University of North Florida
Eastern Florida State College

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Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Lee Wood, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.