Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) vs PhD: What’s the Difference?
Many aspiring veterinarians assume that a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) is the same as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). After all, veterinarians are doctors, and doctors typically hold a PhD. While some veterinarians do hold a PhD, others hold a DVM. They are two different academic degrees with their own unique requirements and purpose. What’s the difference between a DVM and a PhD exactly?
What Is a DVM?
A DVM is a four-year academic program that covers veterinary medicine. It’s designed to prepare aspiring veterinarians for the real world. DVM programs consist of courses and curriculum on how to diagnose, treat and prevent adverse medical conditions in animals. They don’t focus on any single specialty of veterinary medicine. Rather, all DVM programs are broad academic programs that teach students the basics of veterinary medicine.
In the United States, all veterinarians must earn a DVM from an accredited college or learning institution in order to practice. Some states have their own requirements, but they all require veterinarians to complete a DVM program from an accredited college or learning institution. Whether you want to own your veterinary clinic or work at someone else’s clinic, you’ll need to complete a DVM program. After earning a DVM, you can obtain your veterinary license to begin practicing.
What Is a PhD?
A PhD is a more advanced academic program that focuses on a specific curriculum. There are PhDs available for a variety of professions, some of which include psychology, nursing, education, public health, data science, social work, and of course, veterinary medicine.
PhDs are offered by many of the same colleges and learning institutions that offer DVMs. When you enroll in a DVM program, you may have the option of enrolling in a PhD program as well. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, for instance, offers both a DVM and a PhD program. During their first or second year, DVM students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign can enroll in the school’s Veterinary Medical Scholars Program (VMSP). Upon completing the VMSP, students can then enroll in a PhD program.
Differences Between a DVM and PhD
A DVM is a somewhat broad academic program that includes the core and basic concepts of veterinary medicine. In comparison, PhD is a specialized academic program. All PhDs focus on a specialty. There are PhDs available for pathology, animal nutrition, food safety, veterinary science and more. Each of these PhDs covers a specific field of veterinary medicine. If you want to work in a specialized field of veterinary medicine, you may want to earn a PhD in it.
There are also PhDs available for other specialties besides veterinary medicine, whereas DVM programs are exclusive to veterinary medicine. DVMs only cover veterinary medicine. PhDs can cover specialties in veterinary medicine, education, business, data science and countless other professions.
Benefits of a DVM
When compared to a PhD, earning a DVM is typically easier. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a cakewalk. On the contrary, DVM programs usually require four years to complete — and not all students who enroll in them will complete them. With that said, PhD programs are more rigorous than their DVM counterparts. They involve a specialized field of veterinary medicine, so their curriculum is narrower and more focused than that of a DVM program.
Even if you want to pursue a PhD, you’ll still need to earn a DVM. As previously mentioned, all veterinarians must complete a DVM program to practice in the United States. You can’t work as a veterinarian until you’ve earned a DVM. If you want to pursue a PhD, you’ll have the freedom to do so. Regardless, you must earn a DVM before you can practice.
Benefits of a PhD
With a PhD, you can pursue a career in a specialized field of veterinary medicine. A PhD will open the doors to more career opportunities. When you earn a PhD in a specialized field of veterinary medicine, you’ll have the credentials necessary to secure a job in that specialty.
Veterinarians with a PhD typically earn more money than those with only a DVM. Veterinary medicine is a high-paying industry. Veterinarians, on average, earn more than workers in most other industries. With that said, a PhD will allow you to to work in a specialized field of veterinary medicine, which usually comes with a higher salary.
Which Academic Program Is Right for You?
Because it’s a requirement for practicing, you should typically begin with a DVM. There are dozens of colleges and learning institutions that offer DVM programs. After completing the necessary prerequisites, you can enroll in one of these programs while working your way to becoming a licensed veterinarian. If you want to pursue a career in a specialized field of veterinary medicine, you can then research some of the PhD programs available.
