The veterinary degree at the University of Illinois is a four-year graduate program that prepares students for careers in the field. In the first year, students take courses on the structure and function of animal bodies, completing a semester of clinical practice during the fall. In the second year, students move on to pathobiology studies and complete a clinical practice, as well as their first milestone exam, during the spring. The third year teaches students about veterinary medicine and surgery, and, in addition to the yearly clinical practice, adds a second clinical practice during the summer session.
During the final year, all semesters are dedicated to clinical practice rotations. These focus on narrower elements of veterinary work, with a clear eye toward specific species or disciplines.