I realized the BVM&S has the same standing as DVM, but...

[WeeLad]

Can you still call yourself doctor if you go to vet school in say Scotland, and then come back to the USA to practice?

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[Wolphcats]

Yes you are still considered a "doctor" even though you do not have a DVM. Keep in mind that if you get a BVMS in Scotland, it will need to come from the 2 AVMA schools (Glasgow and Edinburgh) in order for you to practice in the USA without taking the foreign test.

BVMS=DVM.

 

[shortnsweet]

You will graduate in the UK and acquire the standing "Ms/Mr/Mrs name BVMS MRCVS" They will not call you doctor anywhere over here, as the degree is not a doctorate, but a Bachelor's.

As they are AVMA accredited schools, you take the NAVLE exam, just like US schools, and as long as you pass, you become "Doctor name BVMS MRCVS" in the United States, and may call yourself that in practice.

The degree is equivalent, and you will be at the level of any U.S graduate, try not to get hung up on titles or letters.

 

[mtambaschi]

This is probably silly, but what does the "MRCVS" stand for? I thought you just got the "BVMS" after your name...

 

[HopefulAg]

Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

 

[mtambaschi]

nevermind...I guess I should have googled before posting ...Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

 

[HopefulAg]

That'd be an awesome tag to have though. People over here probably wouldn't know that it's just standard issue and if they asked you could be like "Oh, just means I'm a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons" and most people would probably find that to be a very prestigious title. I mean, the Royal College and all...you're practically a knight! Just need a sword and you're set.

 

[david594]

Graduates should only use the degree actually granted by their college or school of veterinary medicine. For instance, if a foreign college grants a degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Science, a graduate would sign his/her name "John Doe or Mary Smith, BVSc," and a Medico Veterinario would sign, "John Doe or Mary Smith, MV." Any individual whose degree is other than DVM or VMD should add the word "veterinarian" under his/her signature and actual degree and should not replace their degree with DVM or VMD.

Avma comments on the issue.

 

[flyhi]

i will feel no desire to replace the BVM&S MRCVS with DVM/VMD. I will be very proud of those acronyms and actually like the fact that they are different and might be a good conversation piece. Heck, at least i will have the opportunity to work in the UK, should i need to.

 

[random23]

Avma comments on the issue.

That's correct, you shouldn't really be putting DVM after your name. But in practice in the US you would still be referred to as doctor because that's what is customary in the US. And I've seen many foreign graduates have DVM listed after their name on practices' websites anyways.

Many vets in the UK are still referred to as doctor, mainly because they've completed more advanced study. But point being, the concept that vets are doctors certainly is present in the UK. There are plenty of European schools that call the degree DVM and are not accredited for various reasons- meaning that quality of education is not dependent on what the degree is called.

If anyone is biased against you because of the letters after your name, then that is complete ignorance and prejudice on their part. That type of attitude/insularity and the unnecessary concern over how prestigious of a title you have is exactly what I don't like about much of American society (NB: I'm American myself).

 

[shortnsweet]

i will feel no desire to replace the BVM&S MRCVS with DVM/VMD. I will be very proud of those acronyms and actually like the fact that they are different and might be a good conversation piece. Heck, at least i will have the opportunity to work in the UK, should i need to.

Or any part of Europe...or Australia.....😀

 

[Nexx]

Avma comments on the issue.

Not really a comment on "Dr." moreso just a comment on not incorrectly advertising your qualifications.

As in Vet's in australia are still referred to as Dr.'s (that is a professional medical practitioner) as in "I took my dog to see the Dr./Vet" -- however in most practices nurses (tech's) call the Dr. by their first name instead of 'Dr. Smith' -- and so do many of the clients.

However when/if you go back to the states with a qualification from overseas it is perfectly acceptable and customary (societal custom) to be called "Dr. Smith BVSc, BVMS" or whatever your name/degree may be without it being a misrepresentation of your actual degree that you earned.