Pre-Veterinary
The DBU Pre-Veterinary Program equips students for veterinary school in a variety of ways.
Determining Your Calling to Veterinary School
Let us come alongside you as you determine God’s unique calling to be a veterinarian. Visit with professors and advisors to determine if veterinarian school is something you are being called to and what specialty might interest you.
Preparing You Academically for Veterinary School
Establish the foundation needed to be successful in veterinary school and beyond. Through pre-veterinary classes, whether studying biology or breaking down chemicals, students will leave DBU equipped with skills needed for veterinary school.
Preparing You Personally and Professionally for Veterinary School
Connect with other students who share your passion for animal health and service. Through opportunities such as research presentations, internships, and volunteer experiences, you will gain valuable skills and preparation for the path ahead in veterinary medicine.
Preparing You for Veterinary School Admissions
Receive individualized guidance from advisors and professors who are committed to helping you discern your calling and prepare for graduate study. Students meet with their advisor to discuss the veterinary school admissions process, including GRE preparation and how to tailor their resume to highlight the academic, clinical, and service experiences most valued by veterinary programs.
Pre-Veterinary Advisor
Dr. Jonathan Cooper
Biology Department Chair, Associate Professor of Biology
Dr. Jonathan Cooper is committed to guiding students in the study of biology as they seek to honor God through lives of service and academic excellence. In his role as Pre-Veterinary Advisor, he works closely with students preparing for veterinary school, offering mentorship and support as they navigate their academic path and prepare for future professional training. With a background in cancer biology, Dr. Cooper’s research has focused on lung and soft tissue cancers. He earned his Ph.D. from UT Southwestern Medical Center, where he also completed a postdoctoral fellowship. His work on cell signaling and therapeutic strategies has been published in respected journals including Cancer Research, Cancer Discovery, and Clinical Cancer Research.
jonathanco@dbu.edu
(214) 333-5773
Pre-Veterinary FAQs
Many pre-veterinary students choose to major in Biology (BA or BS), but there are a variety of majors open to pre-veterinary students, as veterinary schools value a diversity of majors. Because of this, we encourage students to meet early on with their pre-veterinary advisor and discuss a major that works for them. Explore some of the potential degree plans or discuss further options with your advisor.
Through the Pre-Vet program at Dallas Baptist University, students have the opportunity to gain practical experiences through both for credit and not for credit internship and observation experiences. These experiential learning opportunities are critical to the development of skills needed for veterinary school and a career beyond.
Internships
- Students have the opportunity to meet individually with their advisor to discuss potential locations that play to a student’s interest. Through internships, students are able to gain firsthand experience in a comfortable environment that allows them to learn and grow in their field.
TriBeta Honor Society
- Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is a National Biological Honor Society. It is dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological science and promoting scientific research. TriBeta alums are an excellent resource for our students. Many of our alumni have returned to speak to our students about their profession and serve as shadowing opportunities in their private practices.
- Tribeta Official Website >>
Research Symposium
- The Dr. Herbert Robbins Undergraduate Research Symposium gives students a platform to present their scientific research and an opportunity to learn about new scientific discoveries and the importance of summer research programs.
For those who have a passion for animals and a desire to relieve their suffering from trauma or terminal illness, veterinary medicine might be for you. As you determine what you might be called to, DBU advisors and professors want to come alongside you to help you make an informed decision to choose what is right for you. Whether you feel called to help domestic animals, wildlife, farm animals, or aquatic animals, DBU’s Pre-Veterinary program will equip you with the tools you need to be successful. As you determine what your future in the veterinary field may look like, there are a few things that you should consider.
- God’s calling on your life
- Do your strengths match veterinary school requirements
- Do your short and long-term goals match up with going to veterinary school
- What makes you interested in veterinary school
- Are you prepared for the investment, both time and money, that veterinary school is
Building a Resume
- With the growing competitive nature of veterinary school applications, it would be wise for students to focus on building their resumes while in undergrad. Students will have the opportunity to meet with the Pre-Vet advisor to help discuss opportunities to build up their resumes as they study.
Application Process
- While veterinary schools do not require a certain major, but rather value the diversity of majors, they do have certain criteria they focus on. As you pursue your undergraduate degree, it would be wise to focus on building tools to prepare you for veterinary school. Veterinary school applications often focus on the following components:
- Academic Record
- GRE Score
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Letters of Recommendation
- Interviews
The Pre-Vet program at Dallas Baptist University provides a unique experience to prepare for veterinary school in a Christian environment. As students learn about the biology behind the functions and composition of animals, they are also learning how to connect their faith to their profession. The Pre-Vet program is designed to train students to meet the needs of animals of all different kinds while also growing in their faith. Education at DBU provides the opportunity to meet with professors and advisors for advice about post-graduate work or other life decisions. Whether it is giving advice about veterinary schools, internships, research, or other opportunities, the professors and advisors at DBU are here to help.