Louisiana State University’s Vet School Prerequisites: Requirements and Planning Guide- Louisiana State University’s DVM prerequisites — the required coursework, LSU’s distinctive emphasis on upper-division success, and what you can complete online.
| Quick answerLouisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine requires a minimum of 66 semester credits for admission, including 44 semester credits of prerequisite coursework, all completed with a grade of C- or better at a CHEA-accredited institution. Distinctively, LSU does not consider prerequisite GPA — it focuses on recent success in upper-division biomedical and animal science courses. Foundation prerequisites can be completed online; the upper-division coursework LSU weights most should be done at a four-year institution. |
LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine has a prerequisite structure that’s fairly standard in its course list but unusual in how it’s evaluated. Most programs scrutinize your prerequisite GPA; LSU explicitly does not — instead, it focuses on recent achievement in upper-division biomedical and animal science coursework as the real signal of readiness. That changes the strategy: clearing the prerequisites is necessary, but excelling in advanced science is what moves the needle. This guide covers the full requirements and how to plan around LSU’s distinctive approach.
Verify the current requirements directly with the program, since they change — the authoritative source is LSU Vet Med Admissions, and you can compare programs through the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).
LSU requires a minimum of 66 semester credits for admission, of which 44 are required prerequisite coursework. The prerequisites follow the standard pre-veterinary pattern:
| Prerequisite | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Biology + lab | Science | Foundation biology sequence with lab. |
| General Chemistry + lab | Science | Foundation chemistry sequence with lab. |
| Organic Chemistry + lab | Science | Prerequisite chain into biochemistry. |
| Biochemistry | Upper-division | Upper-level course requiring organic chemistry. |
| Physics + lab | Science | As specified by the program. |
| English / Composition | Gen ed | College writing requirement. |
| Mathematics / Statistics | Gen ed | As specified by the program. |
| Additional required coursework | Varies | To reach the 44 prerequisite credits; confirm the current list. |
All prerequisite coursework must be completed for credit with a C- or better at a CHEA-accredited institution. Note that prerequisite credits do not “transfer” into the DVM program in the usual sense — instead, LSU’s admissions office grants approval that each requirement is fulfilled, and offers a course-substitution/approval request process if you’re unsure whether a specific course qualifies.
This is the single most important thing to understand about applying to LSU, and it should shape your whole strategy:
| LSU does not consider prerequisite GPALSU states that academic evaluation focuses on demonstration of recent academic success in upper-division biomedical and/or animal science courses, and that prerequisite GPA will not be considered. LSU even notes it may be more beneficial to achieve high scores in advanced scientific courses than to repeat lower-level introductory prerequisites. |
The strategic implication is clear. You still need to clear the prerequisites with a C- or better, but retaking an introductory prerequisite to nudge a GPA LSU won’t even look at is a poor use of your time. Your energy is better spent excelling in recent, advanced biomedical or animal science coursework — that’s what LSU evaluates.
Given LSU’s structure, here’s the honest breakdown of where an online foundation provider fits:
LSU’s upper-division and specialized requirements — and the advanced coursework it weights most — belong at a four-year institution:
Here’s the honest strategic point, unique to LSU: because LSU weights advanced coursework over prerequisite GPA, the foundation prerequisites are a box to check (a C- clears them), while the upper-division science — which we don’t offer — is where your application is won. Use PrereqCourses.com to clear the foundation efficiently, then invest your best effort in advanced courses at a four-year institution.
| Verify before you enrollLSU requires prerequisites from a CHEA-accredited institution and offers a course-approval/substitution request you can submit before or after taking a course. Use it to confirm a specific online course will be approved before enrolling, especially for sciences. Pre-health advisors broadly note that vet programs scrutinize online coursework, so verifying up front protects your investment. |
For the foundation courses, see General Biology I & II with lab for vet school and General Chemistry I & II with lab for vet school, through regionally accredited Upper Iowa University.
What are LSU’s vet school prerequisites?
A minimum of 66 semester credits for admission, including 44 prerequisite credits: general biology, general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, English, and math, all with a C- or better at a CHEA-accredited institution. Confirm the current list.
Does LSU consider prerequisite GPA?
No. LSU explicitly does not consider prerequisite GPA. It focuses on recent success in upper-division biomedical and animal science coursework as the measure of academic readiness.
Should I retake a low prerequisite grade for LSU?
Often not. LSU says it may be more beneficial to score well in advanced science courses than to repeat introductory prerequisites — since it doesn’t consider prerequisite GPA. Clear the prereq with a C- and invest in advanced coursework.
What grade do I need in prerequisites?
A C- or better in each prerequisite, completed for credit at a CHEA-accredited institution. Anything lower won’t satisfy the requirement.
Can I complete LSU prerequisites online?
LSU requires prerequisites from a CHEA-accredited institution and offers a course-approval process. Use it to confirm a specific online course will be approved before enrolling, especially for sciences.
Which LSU prerequisites can I take through PrereqCourses.com?
The foundation courses — general biology, general chemistry, English, and math. Biochemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and the upper-division biomedical/animal science LSU weights most should be completed at a four-year institution.
LSU requires 66 credits for admission, including 44 prerequisite credits at a C- or better from a CHEA-accredited institution — but its evaluation is distinctive: LSU doesn’t consider prerequisite GPA, focusing instead on recent success in upper-division biomedical and animal science. That makes the foundation prerequisites a box to check and advanced coursework the real differentiator. Use an online foundation provider to clear general biology, chemistry, English, and math efficiently, complete biochemistry and the upper-division sciences at a four-year institution with strong recent grades, verify online acceptance through LSU’s course-approval process, and confirm the current requirements before enrolling.
Clearing the foundation? See General Biology and General Chemistry for vet school, and use LSU’s course-approval process before enrolling.
Plan your prerequisites across programs:
LSU’s prerequisite requirements, credit minimums, grade rules, evaluation criteria, and online-coursework policies are set by the program and change over time. Details here were drawn from the program’s published materials and should be re-verified against LSU Vet Med’s current admissions pages before you enroll. This guide is general information only and is not a guarantee of acceptance or admission. Always confirm requirements directly with Louisiana State University.
