This accelerated, combined degree program provides qualified students the opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in seven years, one year less than the normal span of eight years. The bachelor’s degree (BS in biology) is awarded by Fairleigh Dickinson University and the doctoral degree (DVM) by Ross University. English is the teaching language.

Students are admitted to FDU as incoming freshmen or qualified transfer students. They may apply for the BS degree upon successful completion of six semesters at FDU, including the courses listed below, and the first year of study (three semesters) at Ross University. A maximum of 32 credits from Ross University may be transferred toward completion of the BS degree at FDU.

The program prepares students interested in pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree to become successful veterinarians in the United States. The program is an accelerated program that takes a little more than three years. The last three semesters are spent on the campus of one of the U.S. veterinary schools affiliated with Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. The U.S. Department of Education has certified Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine as an eligible institution for the Title IV U.S. Federal Family Education Loan program.

Admission Requirements

  • High school seniors with a combined Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of 1170 and a high school GPA of 3.25 may apply for admission to the combined degree program.
  • All applicants for admission to the combined degree program must satisfy secondary school preparation in English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics.
  • The high school GPA and rank in class, along with letters of recommendation from high school teachers, will be of primary importance in evaluating applicants’ credentials.
  • Applicants are required to submit scores in the verbal and mathematical components of the SAT.

Qualifying for enrollment at Ross University

Students must meet the following criteria to qualify for admission to the veterinary phase of the program:

  • Completion of all FDU curriculum requirements, including the general education requirements and the degree program requirements for the major and all prerequisite courses required for admission at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Students must obtain a GPA of 3.00 or higher in prerequisite courses with no C-, D, or F in any of the courses
  • An overall GPA of 3.2 or higher
  • A score in the 25th percentile or better in each category of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Degree Plan

NOTE: All students are required to complete the General Education Requirements of their campus in fulfillment of their Bachelor’s degree requirements. [Florham Campus students are required to take SPCH 1107 Fundamentals of Speech and  PHIL1440 Bio-Medical Ethics as part of their general education requirements]

Semesters 1 and 2

Semesters 3 and 4

Semesters 5 and 6

Semesters 7 and 8

  • Approved credits are taken at professional school (29 credits)

Cognate Requirements

Semesters 1 and 2

Semesters 3 and 4

Semesters 5 and 6

Major Requirements:

  • The Program is designed for students who are accepted into professional schools (e.g., School of Medicine, Dentistry, Chiropractic, and Optometry) after three years of undergraduate study.  Twenty-nine credits earned during the first year of professional school are used to supplement the 95 credits earned at FDU to complete the 124 credits required for the BS degree.

A minimum of 124 credits is required for graduation with BS in Biology.