A typical veterinary student spends at least 4,000 hours in classroom, lab, and clinical study.

Once you graduate from veterinary medical school, you become a DVM or VMD, or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

It is often possible to combine your DVM studies with a master's or doctoral degree in veterinary science. This allows you to become a veterinary scientist.

All 50 states require you to become licensed before you can practice veterinary medicine. You must graduate from an approved veterinary medicine program and pass written and oral exams.

Several states require you to take continuing education courses to maintain your veterinary's license.