# Vets and Vet School **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 29, 2001, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vets-and-vet-school/66908 "2001-05-29T17:04:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2001, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vets-and-vet-school/66908/1 "2001-05-29T17:04:20Z")
a) How many years of graduate studies does it take to become a Vet? I suspect it’s maybe 3 years, so I wonder (b) do they really learn surgical techniques so quickly? If I’m correct and it’s so short, how do Grad schools get away with letting them free to practice so soon? Need to know… - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2001, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vets-and-vet-school/66908/2 "2001-05-29T17:39:23Z")
If you go to the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College in Edinburgh, you’ll find it’s a seven year degree course. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vets-and-vet-school/66908/3 "2001-05-30T06:34:40Z")
In the U.S., a veterinary course lasts 4 years. Incoming students usually have bachelor degrees, but that isn’t always required. At least two years of college before starting veterinary college is the minimum at some schools. Vets can’t start practicing until they pass a state qualifying exam. Veterinarians specializing in surgery (or other specialized field) often undertake an internship of 2 or 3 years after veterinary college and before entering practice. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vets-and-vet-school/66908/4 "2001-05-30T16:24:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bibliophage \* > \*\*…Veterinarians specializing in surgery (or other specialized field) often undertake an internship of 2 or 3 years after veterinary college and before entering practice. \*\* Q: But, don’t all Vets perform some surgery? I would WAG they must. Perhaps you mean to say they learn some basic surgical techniques prior to specializing? And, if so, do they still have to do an internship prior to entering practice? ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vets-and-vet-school/66908/5 "2001-05-30T19:40:23Z")
I don’t know if this answers your question, but most vet schools require that the student have some animal handling or veterinary experience (such as working as a Vet tech or assistant) _prior_ to entering. So, I suppose they assume a basic knowledge of animals and jump right in. I would share your WAG that all _small animal_ vets do some surgeries, for example, spaying & neutering. On large animals, I’m not so sure. I know that most people in my barn would take their horse to the nearest veterinary hospital for surgery. Its pretty hard to find a sterile surgical environment in a barn.